Construction, on a lot provided by Mattamy Homes to York Region schools north of Toronto, taught students about such trades as brick laying, plumbing, dry walling and carpentry. Under the supervision of tradespeople, Mr. Dickinson learned how to measure pipes, lay them down and install bathtubs and sinks. As part of the Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program, he can now finish a five-year apprenticeship to become a trained plumber a year earlier than if he'd waited to finish high school. The construction industry needs people like Mr. Dickinson as it faces mounting labour shortages across the country, delaying new housing starts and increasing costs. Other trades are also anticipating worker shortages.
Earlier training means an earlier entry into the work force.
Among respondents, job training was ranked as the top priority for schools to implement. The federation says the need for skilled people is the highest it's been in the 25 years since it began monitoring it. There are currently 250,000 to 300,000 unfilled jobs at small and medium-sized businesses, it says. Canadian apprentices have been around since the days of blacksmiths and chimney sweeps. What's changed in the past decade is their age.