Ontario finds itself in the midst of a labour crisis: a dire shortage of skilled trades workers.
With the province making historic investments in infrastructure — from roads and transit to 1.5 million homes — we are missing the people needed to build it.
If we are serious about addressing this demand, women are urgently needed to fill this gap.
Despite accounting for half of the population, female workers only make up five per cent of Canada’s 1.1 million skilled trades professionals working in construction.
We can — and must — do a lot better.
Why, then, are these numbers so low? The unfortunate reality is that too many young women don’t believe a career in the skilled trades is right for them.
According to the Organization of Economic Cooperation and Development, just two per cent of 15-year-old female students plan to pursue a career in the trades.
A major contributing factor is the lack of representation of women in the sector. Many young women and girls do not see themselves represented in skilled trades careers and often hear messages that these careers are unsuitable for them. This perception must change if we are to make progress.
This issue is not just a priority for Skilled Trades Ontario; it’s a cause that is close to my heart.
Throughout my three-decade-long career, I have navigated the challenges of a predominantly male industry, encountering my fair share of obstacles.
Skilled Trades Ontario
By the age of 27, I had risen to a leadership role within the local Carpenters’ Union in New Brunswick, championing health and safety initiatives and enhancing member training. I know firsthand that women can do these jobs just as well as men.
As CEO and registrar of Skilled Trades Ontario, I’m committed to not only being an example but an advocate for diversifying the skilled trades sector.
On occasions like International Women’s Day, and frankly every day, it is the responsibility of leaders to get the word out about the opportunities available and promote what’s possible.
The Ontario government is leading the way on bringing about change, implementing essential measures such as requiring jobsites to have designated washrooms and properly fitting personal protective equipment for women.
Their record investments in infrastructure make it clear there is no shortage of opportunities available for skilled tradespeople from all backgrounds. By championing inclusivity and addressing critical issues, we can collectively propel the sector towards a more inclusive and thriving future.
Efforts to boost representation are beginning to bear fruit. In 2022-23, Ontario saw more than 27,000 new apprenticeship registrations, almost a quarter more than the previous year.
Of these new registrations, more than 3,100 were women — an almost 30 per cent increase compared to last spring. This uptick shows that we are beginning to move in the right direction and change is possible.
While Skilled Trades Ontario is heartened by this progress, we must continue to do more.
In November, we unveiled our first-ever strategic plan: a comprehensive document setting out our dedication to strengthening partnerships with industry, increasing pathways to apprenticeship, and advancing representation for equity-deserving groups within the skilled trades.
A key pillar of our plan is promoting diversity, equity and inclusion. We will build partnerships to encourage the representation of equity-deserving communities, as well as evolving our own practices, policies and technologies to create an equitable and inclusive culture.
In the months and years ahead, we will work with the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development to increase the exposure of the skilled trades in schools. We must also forge stronger collaborations with organizations representing equity-deserving communities to increase their engagement and representation in the skilled trades workforce.
That work is already underway.
Recently, I joined a skilled trades roundtable organized by ministers Charmaine Williams and David Piccini, where I connected with inspiring women leaders from across the sector, gaining valuable insights into the shared challenges that impact our industry. I will also be meeting with industry leaders and young people across the province when we host our annual career fairs later this year.
In the face of an urgent need for skilled trades workers, Skilled Trades Ontario is committed to shifting beliefs about the appropriateness of careers for women by fostering a more inclusive and diverse workforce. I am confident that our collective efforts will lead to an inclusive, equitable, and diverse skilled trades sector, prepared to meet the challenges ahead.
Melissa Young is CEO and registrar of Skilled Trades Ontario, an agency of the Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development responsible for apprenticeship and skilled trades certification in Ontario.
To find out more, visit the Skilled Trades Ontario website at http://skilledtradesontario.ca.
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