Crombie appointed chair of Ontario Skilled Trades Alliance

TORONTO — Steven Crombie has been appointed the new chair of the Ontario Skilled Trades Alliance (OSTA) for the coming year.

OSTA represents companies that employ thousands of skilled trades workers and supports a greater push to promote those trades that are in critical demand now and in the future.

“I’m very pleased to take on a leading role as OSTA keeps working to narrow that gap between the skills people have and those employers need,” said Crombie in a statement. “With Ontario’s labour shortage at an all-time high, it’s more important than ever to break down every barrier that prevents workers from achieving their career goals in the skilled trades.”

A more modern and flexible training system would better support apprentices and employers and help address many of today’s labour challenges, indicates an OSTA release.

Crombie said it’s essential to let jobseekers know the scale of opportunity that exists as Ontario focuses on building more homes, highways and transit.

“Two things really need to happen,” Crombie stated. “One is equipping tradespeople with a range of in-demand skills. The other is giving them the freedom to move seamlessly from trade to trade. That’s the kind of flexibility that will make all the difference.”