A new online resource for people looking at careers in the building trades in Ontario is up and running.
The Construction Training and Apprenticeship Ontario (CTAO) website, which had its soft launch in December, aims to unravel complications people face when starting to look for information about a career in one of the building trades, says Adam Melnick, program director of the CTAO.
“It puts all of the 20-plus construction skilled trades on display.”
Each trade has a landing page with specifics about the field, Melnick says, adding “a paper resource takeaway” is available for educators wanting a snapshot of the trade. To keep it simple, the user-friendly learning portal is heavy on illustration and will feature videos.
All of the information is current, “right down to the rate of pay,” and validated by each trade, he says.
The Building and Construction Trades Council started working on the CTAO last April. It is in partnership with SkillPlan, a B.C. Building Trades workforce development resource, and Magnet, a not-for-profit opportunity platform, says Melnick.
He sees the CTAO in a similar light to college and university online resource portals offered to high school students or people looking for a career change.
It will also serve as “a quick and easy resource” for teachers and guidance counsellors for exploration into careers in any of the skilled trades, he adds.
“It isn’t by any means to be the principal and only resource. I look at is as a gateway into the hundreds of careers in the construction sector beyond just the apprenticeable trades.”
Melnick says organizers continue to develop the website in part through feedback from stakeholders such as employers, training providers, job agencies and community organizations. The team is also working with educators to ensure they and their students make use of the site.
Visit ctaontario.com for more information.
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