Ontario is contributing $3.6 million towards several initiatives being led by the Provincial Building and Construction Trades Council of Ontario (PBCTCO).
The free programs will focus on increasing female participation, providing online training tools and exclusive employment opportunities to jobseekers.
The will also give grade 12 students a first-hand look at careers in construction.
The Whole Story:
The Ontario government has announced $3.6 million in funding to drive innovation in the construction trades sector and recruit more diverse tradespeople.
Spearheaded by the Provincial Building and Construction Trades Council of Ontario (PBCTCO), the initiatives are set to address the industry’s gender gap in the field by bolstering online training resources, offering exclusive employment avenues, and giving high school seniors a firsthand glimpse into construction careers.
“Under the leadership of Premier Ford, our government will continue to invest in training programs that spread life-changing opportunity to anyone who wants a hand up to a bigger paycheque and a better life,” said Monte McNaughton, minister of labour, immigration, training and skills development. “We are proud to support these new projects that help women and young people enter the trades and find purpose-driven careers.”
Women currently constitute less than 5% of the construction workforce in Ontario. This underrepresentation has prompted the inaugural PBCTCO project. It is expected to benefit 700 women in trades. The endeavor aims to empower these tradeswomen by equipping them with leadership, communication, health, safety training, and networking prospects imperative for propelling their careers forward. The project will also see the establishment of a speaker’s bureau, fostering partnerships between tradeswomen and educational institutions, employment agencies, trade expos, and various events across the province, thereby mentoring and attracting more women to the skilled trades.
“The support extended by the Government of Ontario to invest in and expand these three pivotal projects in collaboration with organized skilled trades and our employer partners is greatly valued,” said Marc Arsenault, business manager at PBCTCO. “While each project holds its unique significance, together they converge to empower the workforce of tomorrow and broaden opportunities within skilled trades for marginalized groups. This investment aligns with a data-driven strategy towards workforce development, set to generate avenues for Ontarians to embark on enriching careers that contribute to our province.”
The second initiative is slated to offer a digital gateway for 1,500 individuals to delve into a plethora of online resources and training tools, designed to facilitate exploration of various skilled trades, fostering core competencies and connecting aspirants with potential apprenticeship opportunities. Through this online platform, participants will be directly linked with local employers, streamlining their entry into the industry. Aspiring candidates keen on unraveling unionized career opportunities within the skilled trades can find more information by visiting www.ctaontario.ca/explore.
Further enhancing this transformative agenda, PBCTCO’s “Tomorrow’s Trades” program is set to make a return, inviting 60 grade 12 students from London and Ottawa to immerse themselves in hands-on learning experiences.
And if you are seeking a job, check out the full list of available positions.
Key Takeaways:
Ontario announced it will spend $5.4 million to build and deploy three cutting-edge mobile tech classrooms.
The units will include hands-on stations and simulators the help young people experience welding , crane operation, electrical work and other trades.
The first Trades & Tech Truck was rolled out last year and reached around 40,000 people. The new trucks are expected to reach nearly 500,000.
The Whole Story:
Trades training is hitting the road in Ontario.
In a move to address the province’s labor shortage in the skilled trades sector, Ontario announced it will spend $5.4 million to build and deploy three cutting-edge mobile tech classrooms. These innovative classrooms, a collaborative effort with Skills Ontario, will traverse the province, imparting essential knowledge and practical skills to students and young individuals interested in pursuing careers in the skilled trades.
The mobile classrooms, named Trades & Tech Trucks, promise an immersive learning experience through hands-on stations and simulators, offering training opportunities in a diverse range of disciplines, including:
Electrical systems
Welding
Crane operation
Auto-painting
Tire and brake work
Heavy machinery
“By 2025, one in five jobs in Ontario will be in the skilled trades,” said Monte McNaughton, minister of labour. “These are rewarding, well-paying careers that you can build a family and a life around. That’s why our government will continue to invest in cutting-edge programs that give students the chance to experience the 144 trades and life-changing opportunities available to them.”
Experience a virtual tour of a Tech & Trades Truck. – Skilled Trades Ontario
The province is relying on tradespeople to help with its ambitious infrastructure plans that include constructing 1.5 million homes by 2031. To meet this goal, Ontario will require over 100,000 new skilled trades workers within the decade. The Trades & Tech Trucks, each measuring 12 meters in length, will serve as platforms for students to explore the skilled trades while engaging with industry professionals, discovering local training opportunities, colleges, and potential employers.
Ian Howcroft, CEO of Skills Ontario, spoke about the impact of their existing mobile classroom program, saying: “Since rolling out our first Trades & Tech truck last year, our mobile classroom has provided thousands of students with hands-on learning experiences. This program ignites an awareness of opportunities in the skilled trades and tech field that inspires more young people to pursue these careers. We want to thank and recognize Minister McNaughton and Premier Ford for the leadership and investments they have provided to build the skilled workforce of tomorrow.”
The efforts by the Ontario government have already shown promising results, with a 24 percent surge in apprenticeship registrations in the past year alone. This increase, which includes a 28 percent jump among women, is attributed to the government’s significant investment of over $1 billion in the skilled trades sector over three years and the establishment of the dedicated agency, Skilled Trades Ontario.
On the education side, the province intends to go even further. Minister of Education, Stephen Lecce, announced plans to make technology education courses mandatory for all high school students starting September 2024. The new mobile tech classrooms will further complement this initiative by supporting 150,000 students annually, equipping them with the critical skills needed to secure well-paying jobs and thrive in the competitive job market.
The Trades & Tech Truck program was launched as a pilot in 2022. It reached over 40,000 students and young people across more than 50 events throughout the province, from Toronto to Ottawa and Thunder Bay.
Funded through the government’s Skills Development Fund, the new mobile classrooms are set to be fully operational by the summer of 2024, welcoming an annual footfall of 150,000 visitors.
Key Takeaways:
The funds will go towards Skills Canada’s competitions program.
Skills Canada has delivered the Skills Canada National Competition across Canada over the past 29 years in over 40 skilled trades and technologies.
Skills Canada’s efforts focus on youth and underrepresented groups including women, persons with disabilities, newcomers to Canada, individuals identifying as 2SLGBTQI+, Indigenous people and racialized individuals.
The Whole Story:
Let the games begin.
The federal government will contribute more than $27 million over five years to Skills Canada under the Canadian Apprenticeship Strategy. The funding supports the organization’s efforts to engage youth in the skilled trades through competitions and career exploration.
“Young people want to help build Canada’s future,” said Employment Minister Carla Qualtrough. “With the nature of work changing fast, today’s investment will help young people develop the skills they need to take advantage of future career opportunities in the skilled trades.”
Skills Canada provides hands-on experience to youth and underrepresented groups including women, persons with disabilities, newcomers to Canada, individuals identifying as 2SLGBTQI+, Indigenous people and racialized individuals in the skilled trades and technology.
Skills Canada undertakes a number of promotional activities and events including Skills Canada provincial and territorial competitions, national competitions, WorldSkills competitions, and National Skilled Trades and Technology Week.
Each year, the Government of Canada invests nearly $1 billion in apprenticeship supports through grants, loans, tax credits, Employment Insurance benefits during in-school training, project funding and support for the Red Seal program. Further to providing supports in the skilled trades, the Government of Canada is helping to increase awareness, through an advertising campaign promoting the skilled trades as a first-choice career option for young people.
Skills Canada has delivered the Skills Canada National Competition across Canada over the past 29 years in over 40 skilled trades and technologies. The 2023 Skills Canada National Competition, in Winnipeg, drew over 500 competitors and over 13,000 visitors.
And if you are seeking a job, check out the full list of available positions.
Key Takeaways:
The scholarship is named after Jack Funk, who was a longtime Electrical Contractors Association of British Columbia member and former president.
The funds will cover different regions in B.C.
Successful candidates will be selected by a panel.
The Whole Story:
Construction Foundation of BC (CFBC) and the Electrical Contractors Association of British Columbia (ECABC) have jointly announced the establishment of the ECABC Jack Funk Scholarship, aimed at providing financial assistance to electrical apprentices in the province.
The scholarship serves as a tribute to the memory of Jack Funk who dedicated 45 years to running his electrical contracting business and served as president of ECABC between 1994 and 1996. The association stated that the scholarship reflects his commitment to training and supporting future generations of electrical apprentices and contractors.
Derek Fettback, Chair of ECABC and vice president of Western Pacific Enterprises, emphasized the significance of the scholarship in encouraging the next wave of electrical workers.
“Providing financial and educational support to electrical apprentices is a vital initiative by ECABC to foster the growth of the next generation,” said Fettback. “An electrical apprenticeship offers an excellent opportunity to gain valuable experience, earn income, pursue education, and refine one’s skills.”
The scholarship is open to registered apprentices enrolled in years 1-4 of their electrical apprenticeship and employed by an ECABC contractor member. Eligible candidates must be receiving their electrical apprenticeship training from an approved training institution in British Columbia. Six individual scholarships, each worth $1,000, will be awarded as follows:
Three scholarships for electrical apprentices in Metro Vancouver
One scholarship for electrical apprentices on Vancouver Island
One scholarship for electrical apprentices in the Interior and Northern BC regions
One scholarship for a line technician apprentice
The selection process for the scholarships will involve a panel consisting of ECABC board members and staff. They will review applications and consider recommendations provided by the CFBC.
Matt MacInnis, ECABC President, emphasized the promising opportunities available for young individuals pursuing a career in the electrical trades. He highlighted the remarkable contributions made by ECABC members and their employees toward building a sustainable economy. These contributions include constructing new hospitals, developing clean energy projects, supporting the creation of new homes, and installing the necessary infrastructure for electric vehicles.
“There has never been a better time for young people to pursue a career in the electrical trades,” said Matt MacInnis, ECABC President. “ECABC’s members and their employees are making remarkable contributions to building BC’s sustainable future – from constructing new hospitals, to building world-class clean energy projects, to supporting the creation of new homes, and installing the infrastructure needed to power electric vehicles.”
And if you are seeking a job, check out the full list of available positions.
Key Takeaways:
Ontario will spend $224M to build and upgrade trades training centres.
The fund will be available to unions, Indigenous centres, and industry associations.
Officials will also spend $535,000 to launch two innovative projects that will expand apprenticeship opportunities to future boilermakers in Northern Ontario.
The Whole Story:
Ontario is launching a new fund build and upgrade skilled trades training centres.
The province believes the $224 million fund will help tackle its historic labour shortage.
Applications for the new Skills Development Fund (SDF) Capital Stream open on June 30. It will help unions, Indigenous centres, and industry associations with funding to build new training centres, or upgrade and convert existing facilities into new training centres with state-of-the-art equipment and technology.
“This new program will help boost the province’s training infrastructure, providing more people opportunities to learn new skills and advance their careers into good-paying, in-demand jobs,” said Premier Doug Ford. “We’re taking the steps needed to create a bigger pipeline of talent to ensure we continue to have the best workforce in the world to keep attracting investments and to build Ontario.”
According to the province, roughly 300,000 jobs are going unfilled in Ontario each day, costing the province billions in lost productivity. The new capital stream will be open to a wide range of applicants in in-demand industries and support facility expansions, renovations, repairs and retrofits, and new building construction. Officials expected these improved training centres to help more than one million workers get the training.
“Ontario is facing the largest labour shortage in a generation, and our government is on a mission to help workers train for the well-paying jobs we know are available,” said Monte McNaughton, minister of labour, immigration, training and skills development. “We will continue to invest in innovative training programs and ground-breaking infrastructure to prepare jobseekers in every corner of our province for the future of work.”
In addition, the Ontario government is investing $535,000 through the SDF program to launch two innovative projects that will expand apprenticeship opportunities to future boilermakers in Northern Ontario and across the province. Led by the International Brotherhood of Boilermakers Local 128, these free programs will provide 1,350 participants with the opportunity to explore rewarding careers as boilermakers, which can pay up to $38 an hour.
“Our government is proud to invest in new funding to build, upgrade and convert training centres across the province. Investing in these training centres is crucial to building a stronger Ontario by getting workers trained and into the workforce,” said Kinga Surma, minister of infrastructure. “By empowering individuals with the skills and knowledge to master their crafts, we are creating a future of innovation, and economic prosperity. As we continue to invest in critical infrastructure, these trained workers will be helping build Ontario for generations to come.”
The first project will give 1,200 high-school students hands-on experience with welding, cutting and rigging work and the opportunity to pursue apprenticeships in the trade. It will prioritize women, Indigenous people and others in rural Northern Ontario communities interested in learning about work in the skilled trades.
The second project will provide free lodging, travel and food for 150 new jobseekers from around the province as they begin introductory apprenticeship training. Participants will complete rigorous coursework covering rigging, working at heights and construction safety as they prepare to become boilermaker apprentices.
These two projects are funded through the existing SDF, an over $700 million initiative, which supports ground-breaking programs that connect jobseekers with the skills and training they need to find well-paying careers close to home.
And if you are seeking a job, check out the full list of available positions.
Hot Jobs is a weekly segment that showcases a selection of the top positions that have been recently posted on SiteNews Jobs, a Canadian construction job board we launched last month.
And if you are seeking a job, check out the full list of available positions.
Key Takeaways:
Ontario’s apprenticeship registrations have increased 24 per cent in the last year
The second year of province’s skilled trades career fairs for students will see the program expand into more cities.
Officials say recruitment is key as Ontario will need over 100,000 new skilled trades workers this decade if it hopes to achieve its infrastructure goals.
The Whole Story:
Ontario’s approach to increasing trade apprentice numbers appears to be working.
The province reported apprenticeship registrations have increased 24 per cent in the last year – from 21,971 to 27,319.
In addition, the second year of the province’s skilled trades career fairs for students will be expanding to even more cities around the province.
“As we build a stronger Ontario that works for everyone, we need to ensure students and jobseekers know about the rewarding life-long careers waiting for them in the skilled trades,” said Monte McNaughton, minister of labour, immigration, training and skills development. “There is as much merit in being an electrician or a carpenter as there is in being an architect or a lawyer. I’m thrilled more young people are waking up to the promise of good pay, pensions, and purpose-driven work that the skilled trades offer.”
Officials stated that in order to help deliver the Ontario’s infrastructure plans, including building 1.5 million homes by 2031, Ontario will need over 100,000 new skilled trades workers this decade. The historic increase in apprenticeship registrations, including a 28 per cent jump among women, follows more than $1 billion in investment in the skilled trades over three years, along with the launch of a new agency: Skilled Trades Ontario.
“We are taking action across the board by making it easier for students to have apprenticeships, skills and credentials recognized towards their Diploma,” said Stephen Lecce, minister of education. “This builds on Ontario’s recent decision to require all students to take at least one technological education course, opening up the horizons and opportunities of all students into good-paying STEM and skilled careers.”
Ontario’s skilled trades career fairs for students will be returning for the second year in a row and in more cities. More information on the 2023 fairs, cities, and dates will be announced later this summer. The events are intended to reduce the stigma related to the trades and make more students, teachers and parents aware of these career opportunities
“Now is the time to build a rewarding career in the skilled trades,” said Melissa Young, CEO and registrar of Skilled Trades Ontario. “With record investments being made in infrastructure, we urgently need skilled workers to meet demand. Skilled Trades Ontario is thrilled to be partnering with the Ministry to promote these exciting opportunities, break down barriers and empower the next generation of skilled trades professionals to succeed.”
Students in grades 7 to 12 will have the chance to learn about the 144 different skilled trades through interactive exhibitions and hands-on activities while hearing directly from tradespeople and local employers about these lucrative careers. Last year, 12,800 students, parents, friends, and teachers visited events in Thunder Bay, Sudbury, London, Mississauga, and Ottawa.
Hot Jobs is a weekly segment that showcases a selection of the top positions that have been recently posted on SiteNews Jobs, a Canadian construction job board we launched last month.
And if you are seeking a job, check out the full list of available positions.
Key Takeaways:
The ACE Program gives teens the chance to explore architecture, construction, and engineering careers through a combination of sector aligned courses and work experience.
18 Students will spend the summer completing the curriculum portion of the program before they are placed with industry partners through two 6-month paid internships.
The program aims to offer recent graduates options to explore careers that require less financial and time commitments.
The Whole Story:
The British Columbia Institute of Technology (BCIT) has launched a new pilot program to encourage high school students to get a taste of the construction industry while they decide on a career.
The Entry Skills for Architectural, Construction, and Engineering Fields (ACE) Microcredential program is a unique entry level educational program with integrated hands-on learning, designed to offer high school students an exposure to the spectrum of careers that exist within the architecture, construction, and engineering fields through a combination of sector aligned courses and work experience.
“The ACE program is an opportunity for high school students to learn more about careers in the Architecture, Construction, and Engineering fields while gaining paid, industry work experience,” said Laurie Therrien, manager, corporate training and industry services, BCIT. “This also allows companies in those fields to introduce more young people to these exciting careers – all of which are a tremendous win for students, industry, and education. In fact, it’s long overdue.”
This summer over 18 high school students from Burnaby, Coquitlam, Maple Ridge, New Westminster, Richmond, Surrey, and Vancouver will take part.
The program is aimed at providing eligible high school students, specifically recent graduates, with introductory design and technical skills in the fields of architecture, construction, and engineering. Students will spend the summer completing the curriculum portion of the program before they are placed with industry partners through two six-month paid internships. Throughout the internships, students gain real-world experience working on the job while continuing their studies in a part-time, online model.
The school noted that B.C. expected to have over one million job openings in the next 10 years based on the latest Labour Market Outlook Report. The school sees the ACE microcredential as a solution in supporting the province and industries to fulfill the workforce gap.
School officials stated that the microcredential helps remove barriers to education for the youth by requiring less financial and time commitment, and encouraging students who are unsure if a particular program/field is right for them to try a variety of career paths before committing to further academic avenues.
“BCIT is excited to be spearheading this unique ACE initiative that offers motivated high school students a deeper understanding about career opportunities in Architecture, Construction, and Engineering,” said Wayne Hand, Dean, School of Construction and the Environment. “Access to paid, industry work placements provide young learners the insight, experience, and connections needed to make informed decisions about their career and education pathways, while giving industry partners the opportunity to attract young people to their vibrant sectors.”
Key Takeaways:
The BCCA has given away more than $5 million to employers that took on first year apprentices
469 employers have registered a total of 692 apprentices in B.C. so far
The most registrations are for carpenters, construction electricians, and plumbers.
The Whole Story:
A Vancouver Island construction company found itself in the spotlight last month as it received what turned out to be the 5 millionth dollar paid out so far under one of the most far-reaching Red Seal apprenticeship drives undertaken in B.C.
The company, The Muchalat Group of Companies, has registered four first year apprentices through the BC Construction Association (BCCA) Apprenticeship Services, and received a total of $40,000 in financial incentives as a result. The fourth payment hit the $5 Million milestone at BCCA.
“This is an easy program for employers to take advantage of, and I encourage any contractors who are getting ready to register first year Red Seal apprentices to contact BCCA first,” said Tania Formosa, owner of The Muchalat Group of Companies. “If you don’t, you’re leaving money on the table plain and simple. I don’t know any contractors who can afford to do that these days.”
The BCCA will pay employers $5,000 for each first year apprentice registered in any of 39 construction Red Seal trades, and an additional $5,000 if the apprentice self identifies as part of an equity deserving group, with funding received from the Government of Canada Apprenticeship Service.
BCCA, which launched its program in October 2022, has already sent payments to 469 employers who have registered a total of 692 apprentices in B.C. so far.
“We’re thrilled to reach the $5 million milestone and ready to send millions more to BC construction employers before the program ends March 31, 2024,” says Chris Atchison, BCCA president. “There are no strings attached to how the funding should be spent once it’s received, and we’re hearing from employers that the extra cash is very welcome right now.”
So far, the BCCA program has registered apprentices in 33 trades, with the most registrations happening for carpenters, construction electricians, and plumbers. The apprentices are from across BC, range in age from 16 and up, and are 47.8% equity deserving groups. Adding diversity to BC’s construction industry, which is 96% male, is one of the goals of the program, but the funding is available to support all new apprentices regardless of demographics.
“I’m excited to become a first year apprentice and glad that my employer is able to access this money to offset the cost of training me,” says Amanda Muise, a newly minted first year carpentry apprentice. “The funds made it an easier decision to promote me and the three other apprentices that my employer has registered through the program.”
The Muchalat Group of Companies has operated on Central Vancouver Island since 1979 providing general contracting services, construction management services, and building envelope renovations.
This opportunity is funded by the government of Canada’s Apprenticeship Service, which has provided $21 million in funding to the BC Construction Association to operate as an intermediary with employers.
Key Takeaways:
This year, category-based selection invitations will include those with experience in the trades.
Officials chose the categories after hearing from employers across the country who are experiencing chronic labour shortages.
2022 legislative changes allowed for the selection of immigrants based on key attributes that support economic priorities, such as specific work experience.
The Whole Story:
Immigrants with experience in the trades will have a faster pathway to living and working in Canada.
The Government of Canada has announced the first-ever launch of category-based selection for Canada’s flagship economic immigration management system, Express Entry. Category-based selection will allow Canada to issue invitations to apply to prospective permanent residents with specific skills, training or language ability. Further details on the timing of invitations for individual categories and how to apply will be announced in the coming weeks.
This year, category-based selection invitations will focus on candidates who have a strong French language proficiency or work experience in the following fields:
Science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) professions
Trades and contractors like carpenters and plumbers
Transport
Agriculture and agri-food
Healthcare
Officials explained that category-based selection will make Express Entry more responsive to Canada’s changing economic and labour market needs, while building on the high human capital approach.
“Everywhere I go, I’ve heard loud and clear from employers across the country who are experiencing chronic labour shortages,” said Sean Fraser, minister of immigration, refugees and citizenship. “These changes to the Express Entry system will ensure that they have the skilled workers they need to grow and succeed. We can also grow our economy and help businesses with labour shortages while also increasing the number of French-proficient candidates to help ensure the vitality of French-speaking communities. Put simply, Canada’s immigration system has never been more responsive to the country’s social or economic needs.”
In June 2022, the Government of Canada made changes to the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act to allow for the selection of immigrants based on key attributes that support economic priorities, such as specific work experience or knowledge of French.
Legislative requirements to use these new authorities include that the minister engage in public consultations, prior to establishing a new category, with provinces and territories, members of industry, unions, employers, workers, worker advocacy groups, settlement provider organizations, and immigration researchers and practitioners. Each year, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) must also report to Parliament on the categories that were chosen during the previous year and the selection process, including the rationale for choosing them.
The categories have been determined following extensive consultations with provincial and territorial partners, stakeholders and the public, as well as a review of labour market needs. A complete list of eligible jobs for the new categories is available online. The first category-based invitations to apply are expected to be sent this summer.
Thinking of switching things up this summer? Check out what construction companies are hiring on SiteNews Jobs, a Canadian construction job board we launched last month. “Hot Jobs” is a weekly segment that showcases a selection of the top positions that have been recently posted.
And if you are seeking a job, check out the full list of available positions.
There’s no better time to check out what construction companies are hiring on SiteNews Jobs, a Canadian construction job board we launched this month. “Hot Jobs” is a weekly segment that showcases a selection of the top positions that have been recently posted.
If you are looking to build your all-star team, try posting your role on SiteNews jobs today. And if you are seeking a job, check out the full list of available positions.
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An ambitious move by Ontario is set to become a catalyst for recruiting internationally trained engineers, as the province drops the requirement for Canadian work experience for their licensure. The new policy, touted as a “game changer” by Labour Minister Monte McNaughton, is expected to expedite the filling of approximately 7,000 vacant engineering positions across the region.
Prioritizing skills over location
“This change signifies a pathway for numerous qualified immigrant engineers to pursue their dreams over the coming years,” McNaughton declared during a press conference. It effectively removes a significant impediment for immigrants aspiring to secure well-paying jobs in their field of expertise.
The mandate for Canadian work experience, formerly a prerequisite set by various regulators, had been a notable barrier. The shift has been applauded by the Professional Engineers Ontario (PEO), which has transitioned to a competency-centred model over one reliant on geographic experience.
“Professional Engineers Ontario is the first regulatory association to adopt this change,” McNaughton pointed out, a transition that aligns with Ontario’s legislation introduced in October 2021. This legislation prohibits regulated professions and skilled trades from mandating Canadian experience qualifications.
Wide impact beyond engineering
The legislation has wide-reaching impacts, covering over 30 non-health-care-related professions and trades, including architects, accountants, and electricians.
“The move will serve the public interest, ensuring all licensed professional engineers meet rigorous qualifications and that only properly qualified, competent, and ethical individuals practise engineering,” stated Christopher Chahine, Vice-president of the PEO, at the news conference.
In Ontario, around 300,000 jobs currently remain unfilled, and only a quarter of internationally trained immigrants work in professions they studied. McNaughton said, “It doesn’t take a math major to figure out these numbers don’t add up.”
A welcome move by advocates
Sara Asalya, executive director of Newcomer Women’s Service Toronto, called the change a “huge win” for advocates working for the removal of unfair measures that face internationally trained professionals. “We look forward to seeing other regulatory bodies continue to work to remove these Canadian experience requirements,” Asalya said.
The provincial government shared that in 2019, engineers were the fourth largest regulated profession in Ontario, with 85,649 members, and of those, there were 24,258 internationally trained members registered in the profession.
The labour minister expects regulators in Ontario to proactively drop any existing Canadian experience qualifications before the end of the year. This move marks a major shift in recognizing international qualifications and experience and could signal a new era for internationally trained professionals in Canada.
Construction season is upon us.
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Project Director – Toronto, Ont./Edmonton Alta./Denver, Colo. – Aecon
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