b'Embracing Technology BuildForce statistics indicate that womencompared to the widening gap between Using technology in the mechanicalrepresent only 4.7 per cent of the tradesretiring and new workers. There are no installation and service sectors (e.g.,and 13 per cent of the total constructionsimple solutions to this issue. Long-term sustainable and SMART systems,workforce. Immigrants only account forrecruitment resource commitments virtual reality training, mobile-friendly8.7 per cent of apprentices in Canadianby industry groups, governments and technology, etc.) can make workers andtrades despite making up more than 20educators are needed. Emphasis needs processes more efficient and effective.per cent of the total Canadian population. to be placed on underrepresented sectors It can also reduce the number of skilledThe Federal Skilled Trades Program forof the population and implementing workers needed and help bridge thenew immigrants has obviously experiencedtechnology to help bridge the gaps in labour shortage gap.a shortfall in the last three years. However,skilled labour.However, increasing the use of technologyeven before the pandemic, the federalWithout aggressive recruitment, the has an inherent challenge: ongoinggovernment was not meeting the program training. To obtain the highest returntarget of 3,000 skilled trades immigrantsskilled labour pool will continue to on technology, workers need updatedper yearonly 2,365 skilled tradesdecrease and significantly affect the training. An RBC report entitled Poweringimmigrants were welcomed in 2019. long-term success of industries including Up: Preparing Canadas skilled trades forIndigenous people represent a largerconstruction and the mechanical sector. a post-pandemic economy stated, 25 perpercentage of trades apprentices than theirIt appears governments are starting to get cent of the four million trades workers inpopulation percentage. This sector hasthe message and are pursuing initiatives Canada will need to upgrade their skillsshown the largest growth of Canadianin trades recruitment, such as the federal within five years, [and] demand for digitalyouth entering the trades and couldgovernments apprenticeship loans and and soft skills like creativity and problembecome the largest sector of the skilledgrants and support for employers to hire solving is expected to rise significantly intrades workforce in the future. Industry,new apprentices.critical trades. trades educators and government bodies One positive from the pandemic was themust also address waning numbersMCAC and their employer members increased use of technology in the tradesentering trades programs. There wasshould continue partnering with other sector because of government healthobviously a significant reduction in newtrade associations to bring governments restrictions. This embracing of technologyapprentices during COVID-19, and thisto the table, recognize the skilled labour needs to be enhanced going forward tohas simply put industries further behindcrisis and put resources into attracting assist with the labour force shortage andin reducing the skilled labour gap. new workers to the trades.to simply stay competitive in the post-pandemic era. Going Forward Though we did not see much in Career Paths The Canadian Apprenticeship Forumthe recent budget, the shortage of Success in career promotion requires anforecasts that 75,000 new apprenticesskilled workers remains a key issue ongoing commitment from industry,will be needed over the next fivefor the industry, said Lancastle. The employers and governments, andyears to meet skilled trades demands.importance of trades training, education the creation of solid career paths forRecruitment challenges combined withand apprenticeship programs, including recruits. This commitment must includeretirements have the potential to severelykeeping occupational analyses up to date, targeting a number of key groups:impact Canadas economic growth andcannot be understated. We have to set young people, people looking for newpotential if steps are not taken to addressup the skilled trades to succeed so we can careers and underrepresented groupstheseshortfalls.move the construction and mechanical including women, Indigenous people andThe effects of the pandemic on theindustries into an era ofnewimmigrants. skilled labour force have been smallsustained growth. BEAULIEU PLUMBING & MECHANICAL INC. SINCE/DEPUIS 1984SPECIALIZES IN: SERVICES PROVIDED: CommercialPlumbingMedial Gas Food Equipment InstitutionalHeatingGeothermal Services IndustrialVentilationProcess PipingPipe Pre-Fabrication ResidentialRefrigerationGas PipingSheet Metal Fabricationbeaulieumech.ca20 www.mcac.ca'