Etobicoke, ON — Young people and women interested in construction trade careers will have access to three free training projects.
The Provincial Building and Construction Trades Council of Ontario (PBCTCO) will run the innovative projects, which will focus on increasing female participation in the industry, providing online training tools and exclusive employment opportunities to job seekers, and giving Grade 12 students a first-hand look at life-changing careers in construction.
“Our province and my riding of Etobicoke-Lakeshore are facing unprecedented challenges when it comes to managing the significant economic and population growth most experts expect for Ontario in the years to come. Chief among them are the housing crisis and a corresponding shortage of skilled labour. Today’s announcement will go a long way toward addressing both by opening new opportunities for young people in new home construction while increasing the participation of young women in a field in which they have traditionally been under-represented,” said Christine Hogarth, MPP of Etobicoke- Lakeshore.
With women making up less than five per cent of Ontario’s construction workforce, PBCTO’s first project will help 700 tradeswomen gain the leadership, communications, health and safety training, and networking opportunities they need to start and advance rewarding careers in the industry.
The second project will provide 1,500 people with access to online resources and training tools to explore the skilled trades, build core skills and find apprenticeship opportunities in their profession of choice, connecting them directly with local employers.
Lastly, PBCTCO will host its Tomorrow’s Trades program, which provides 60 grade 12 students in London and Ottawa hands-on learning opportunities, behind-the-scenes access to high-profile construction projects and training so they can prepare for life-changing jobs in the industry.