b'APPRENTICESHIPWill Browning, ASMW Apprentice. BUILDING THE WORKFORCE OF THE FUTUREW hileCanadabracesforacreaterewardingcareers.ProfessionsCLOSING THE LABOUR SHORTAGE GAPperiod of economic insta- that allow you to earn while you learnBut in order to capitalize on the oppor-bility, the skilled trades areon the job will always hold an importanttunitiesinfrontofus,thereisan poisedtonotonlywith- role in our economy. ever-growing need to recruit and trainstand the worst of it, but perhaps solvenew workers.some of the pressing economic prob- EMPLOYMENT RESILIENCY Its no secret that Canada is facing a lemsthatareplaguingcommunitiesAsCanadiansgrapplewitheconomiclabour shortage, and the roofing industry across the country. uncertainty,employmentresiliencyis no exception. The latest projections The reason is simple: an investmenthas taken on new meaning. People areshow that more than 700,000 workers in in the construction industry is an invest- searchingforreliableandsustainablethe skilled trades are expected to retire ment in the economy. In recent years,workopportunities.Astheylooktoby 2028.B.C. has seen a surge in new construc- build or rebuild their careers, apprentice- Closing the gap on the current labour tion and renovation activity in both theshiptrainingandcertificationmobilityshortagerequiresaddressingsomeof residentialandnon-residentialsectors,the core challenges that exist, including andgovernmentsarecontinuingtohave become attractive selling points. recruitingfromunderrepresented invest in public sector infrastructure.Red Seal trades, such as Roofer, allowgroups such as women, newcomers to Even when the economy is slumping,peopletoworkacrossCanada,astheCanada and Indigenous people.roofsandbuildingsstillneedmainte- program creates an integrated nationalThe RCABC Educational Foundation nance and repair. A home or business isskilledtradesmarketbyprovidingais among those working with underem-often someones biggest investment, andcommon foundation for trade certifica- ployed and underrepresented groups to therefore there will always be the need totion and apprenticeship training. Someprovidetrainingandworkplacement protect and preserve this asset. are even suggesting that interprovincialtohelpbreakdownbarriersandfill Asconstructioncontinuestofuelrecognition of skilled trades should bethe demand for skilled workers in the our economy, skilled tradespeople are inexpandedbeyondRedSealtradestoroofingindustry.Thisworkincludes high demand to fill well-paying jobs andenable greater labour mobility. outreachtohighschoolstoconnect 20 lROOFINGBClSPRING 2023'