Stakeholders believe the future of skilled trades in Ontario’s construction sector lies in responsiveness to changes in the industry as the demands for a skilled workforce and spaces for apprentices to learn their crafts continue to grow.
It should not be stuck in the past with a cumbersome regulatory body attempting to fulfill numerous dubious mandates, with enforcement efforts fuelling divisions between unions and non-union sectors and health and safety not necessarily the top priority.
Those are some of the views of executives representing diverse construction sector interests, asked by the Daily Commercial News to offer opinions on how the industry should nurture the skilled trades the province needs to ensure a prosperous and productive future.
The recent announcement by Ontario’s Minister of Labour, Training and Skills Development Monte McNaughton of the establishment of a five-member Skilled Trades Panel represents the closing of a chapter in the province’s regulatory history, with the panel asked to provide advice to the minister on the replacement to the Ontario College of Trades (OCOT).
Eleven stakeholders responded to the following questions: What lessons can we learn from the demise of the College? What system should replace it? How should the skilled trades evolve? What are the priorities as we aim to develop a robust and relevant system?
This is the first in a series of articles featuring industry feedback.
Richard Lyall, president, Residential Construction Council of Ontario
“While we applauded the proposed purpose of the College, which was to promote the skilled trades, the College was never able to live up to its potential as it was overly focused on rigid enforcement of outdated scopes of practice and compulsory trades and did not prioritize the promotion of skilled trades, removal of stigmas or breaking down of barriers facing young people wanting to enter the trades.
It also did not recognize the pivotal role played by the Ontario Labour Relations Board (OLRB) and the importance of past practice and jurisprudence related to jurisdictional disputes.
The construction industry, government and new system must be nimble and adapt to technological change. The training and apprenticeship system must reflect how industry operates today and in the future.
There are 144 skilled trades in Ontario, spread across four sectors. The goal should be the creation of a system that will work for Ontario employers and workers.
This will require new skill sets to match employer needs with appropriate training. Arguably, protected and antiquated scopes of practices and systemic restrictions have stifled innovation and skilled trades supply. Health and safety must also remain a top priority.”
Patrick McManus, chair of the Ontario Skilled Trades Alliance
“The most important takeaway from the failed College of Trades experiment is that construction is a very diverse industry. There is much more to it than registered apprenticeships as a starting point. The College left the majority of trades and tradespeople without a real voice.
A new system needs to focus on making it easier to get more people into the industry and then filter them towards the ‘in demand’ trades. There needs to be more focus on gathering regionally based employment data and establishing regionally based training opportunities. We need greater accountability out of our training delivery agents.
It is my opinion that the government does not want to wade into the compulsory/non-compulsory trades issue. The OLRB has long been the independent arbiter of decisions around trade jurisdiction and it is a function that needs to remain. There are too many variables in trade jurisdiction, the decisions are too complex, and they need to be constantly updated as practices evolve.
Trades need to be allowed to evolve as technology evolves. We need to look at how modular-based training and micro-credentialling can help to address the skills gap over the short- to intermediate term.”
James Barry, International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Construction Council of Ontario executive secretary treasurer
“The intent behind OCOT was sound. We finally had industry engagement in the future of the trades. Completion rates rose. Enforcement officers were dedicated to ensuring that only qualified individuals were doing the work of compulsory trades.
Unfortunately, there were flaws. A cookie-cutter approach did not work. Journeypersons and apprentices in compulsory trades were required to pay the College’s annual membership fee while those in voluntary trades did not, creating no incentive to join. Enforcement of compulsory trades was assigned in many cases to persons who lacked expertise in enforcement and, quite often, in the trades for which they were responsible.
A new model is needed, one that respects the distinct role of the construction industry. Training standards and training delivery should be under the same umbrella, a unified authority.
What should not change is the importance of oversight to ensure that only certified journeypersons and registered apprentices are doing the work in the compulsory trades. The complete scopes of practice for certain trades like electrician must be maintained and enhanced to ensure work is done safely and reliably.
Worker and public safety must be paramount. The apprenticeship model should focus on completion rates.”
Follow the author on Twitter @DonWall_DCN.
OCOT was closed by our Province way too early as massive gains were made and progress established, closing it was the real Failure, keep in mind that OCOT was an independent Organization funded by members and All Board Members were actual Certified Trades Workers that offered a Real Working Voice, we lost millions of membership dollars that the Province took from OCOT, there should be refunds. OCOT was closed almost three years ago and now Monte McNaughton has self appointed political associates who are Lawyers and Bureaucrats that have never served an apprenticeship or used tools for our Skilled Trades Panel. Now all tax payers will have to absorb the loss of OCOT.
OCOT closely covered Safety, Scope of Practice, Education, Red Seal and all Technology reviews and upgrades also reviewing all Trade Exam question/calculations not to mention free trade exam preparation seminars for apprentices. Now enter the Politicians that have their hands in our pockets with Zero Trades experience, any Independent Trades Organization should never be closed by any Province as that eradicates Democracy and encourages money grabbing. There are no complications approaching a Trades Contractor or Union asking for an apprenticeship or associated employment, as it has worked for more than sixty years Canada wide. We face a collapse of a system that took Politicians three years to care about and financially fund, Hey Monte & Doug you took way too long and you really don’t give a crap for the Real Trades Workers in Ontario, Honestly Like 3 Years!
Ben Stegner
Chair Ontario College of Trades Industrial Electricians Board. ( Retired)
Ontario College of Trades Complaints Committee. (Retired)
CUPE Local 793 Vice President & Trades (Retired)
International Council of Canada Governance Board.
Society of Ontario Adjudicators and Regulations.
Habitat for Humanity Construction Volunteer.
During my career in the construction industry, I have learned that all projects start with a well thought out plan. When that original plan starts to deviate from the final goal, it is time to get Plan B in motion. With regards to OCOT, I feel we are after 3 years, still waiting for that Plan B to be not only presented to “its members”, but also showing some signs of that plan moving forward. In saying that OCOT was closed by our government prior to any thought of a plan B.
The article lists the four questions presented to eleven stakeholders, yet the feedback that follows these listed questions, does not answer any of these questions.
I would like to see in the “second article in the series” the list of the appointed associates, including their credentials, so I can understand who is creating “MY / Our” plan B.
All skilled trades in Ontario, everyone from a Hair Stylist to a Master Electrician should be well represented, supported, and have the ability to safety practice and pass down those skills that they have chosen to dedicate their life to!
It is well past time to have those four questions answered, and start working towards a proper plan B.
James Brenner, ME
Certified 309A Electrical JM / Wireman / Red Seal / Master Electrician
Proud Member of the IBEW