Canadian perceptions around skilled trades careers are shifting. Both university graduates and current skilled trades workers are more likely to recognize the value and benefits of careers in the trades than they were just a few years ago.
This insight comes from a recent Leger poll conducted for Classic Fire + Life Safety, a contractor specializing in the installation, inspection and servicing of fire and life safety equipment.
The poll sheds some light on how Canadians see the field. But despite some positive signs, more effort is needed to engage and inform our younger workforce (ages 18 to 34) about the promising opportunities in the skilled trades.
For example, while 42 per cent of respondents said they would choose a career in the trades if they could turn back the clock, only 32 per cent of respondents see careers in the trades as respected, with factors such as societal expectations, perceptions of low wages and a lack of awareness driving them toward other career choices.
Equally concerning is the gender disparity — only 31 per cent of women are considering skilled trades careers, compared to 50 per cent for men. Interestingly, even among young women raised in multigenerational trades families, the option to pursue this path was rarely presented or discussed.
We must use these findings as a valuable opportunity to refine our approach to engaging Gen Z and Alpha students, their parents and the broader public.
In truth, the upcoming generation has values that align closely with the skilled trades. The skilled trades workforce is making a tangible impact on issues like the affordable housing crisis, the green energy transition and the need for updated infrastructure. For young workers, we must highlight that these careers not only offer well-paying, hands-on work and opportunities for entrepreneurship, but they are also a powerful force for good in Canada and around the world.
Ongoing initiatives to broaden interest in the industry, combined with shifting parental attitudes, together create a unique opportunity to introduce careers in the skilled trades to more young Canadians than ever. Equipping K-12 educators and guidance counsellors with the right resources and hands-on experiences will be crucial in helping students recognize how their skills, interests, and talents align with diverse opportunities in the trades.
This new data also highlights the need for greater public awareness about the wide range of roles and responsibilities within skilled trades careers.
When respondents were asked to identify the most valuable trades, electrical, plumbing and carpentry were among the top choices. But there is so much more.
“Construction trade” is a broad umbrella term that encompasses a wide range of specialized roles and occupations required to complete a project. The more education we can provide, the easier it will be for people to find the right path for them.
While it is encouraging to see that more Canadians are open to careers in the trades, many of our shared hopes for the future depend on the next generation of Canadians finding their place in the skilled trades workforce.
We must show parents and students the many paths to advancement, the innovations in technology and safety, and the diverse workers who have found their passion in the industry.
The fact remains the skilled trades is the answer many young Canadians have been looking for and we need to improve our outreach for our sake and theirs.
Angela Coldwell is the co-founder of Honour the Work, a hub to connect Canadians to meaningful careers in the skilled trades and inspire a new generation to value craftsmanship. Send Industry Perspectives Op-Ed comments and column ideas to editor@dailycommercialnews.com.
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