b'TRADES GAPDAUNTING CHALLENGE The reality is that we need to do aThis decade, Ontario will need to The challenge of addressing thisfar better job of selling the skilledrecruit more than 100,000 skilled issue is daunting given the size andtrades. Part of that involves atrades workers, and thats just in scope of the problem: addressingmore co-ordinated effort so thatconstruction. Government and generational stigma, getting thecareer information is centralizededucators alone cant fill those right information on careers toand easy to access, and allowingjobs. Employers have a role too. the next generation of workers,for a broader range of certifiedWe are gaining a much better competing against other growingtraining programs that allow jobunderstanding now about how to employment sectors, etc.seekers to train for in-demand jobsget past stereotypes and convince rather than going through a fullyoung people, parents and guid-For our part, OSWCA is workingapprenticeship program. Theseance counsellors that the top jobs with a broad group of constructioninitiatives are going to be anotherin the future are in the skilled organizations to incrementallysignificant uphill climb, but theytrades. Now our next step forward address barriers to entry into theare both absolutely necessary. is improving accessibility.trades. We have had success in getting rid of the Ontario College of Trades, which was erecting barriers to entry and compart-mentalizing the trades. Now our focus has turned to addressing the information gap.The Ontario Construction Careers Alliance (OCCA) is back up and running with its school presentations and Construction Days, which are important tools to promote the construction trades. We have jointly funded a video series called Job Talks, which highlights 50 lesser-known careers in the trades. And from a policy and regulatory standpoint, we are seeking to establish a single, streamlined information portal to bring information and access to all trades under one roof, similar toStocking distributor hydrants & valves, PVC pipes, ductile pipe & ttings, the college and university applica- municipal castingtion program that all high school students go through, and opening Aup the training delivery agencyvailable quick access of specialty related sewer and watermain productsprogram to allow for in-demandDesigned ADS Storm Tech Systemsjob skills training programs to compete for provincial funding.We take pride in accurate on-time deliveries with 8 available boom trucks Civil engineer on staff for all your drawing requirementsOSWCA IS WORKING1-800-274-1194WITH A BROAD GROUPwww.yorkwestplumbingsupply.comOF CONSTRUCTION ORGANIZATIONS TO INCREMENTALLY ADDRESS BARRIERS TO ENTRY INTOWoodbridgeBarrieStoney Creek THE TRADES 905-856-9466 705-727-9727 905-643-3964H 2 OSWCAWinter/Spring 2020 29'