Females students are a particularly important potential source of skilled workers. Women are grossly under-represented in the skilled workforce across Canada. As an example, in the machining trades in British Columbia, fewer than two per cent are women; in New Brunswick, fewer than three per cent.

In Ontario, the provincial home-builders association estimates that the average age of unionized tradespeople is now over 50 and they are retiring in record numbers. The Automotive Parts Manufacturers’ Association released a survey in 2000 showing that 27 per cent of its skilled work force is between 50 and 59 years of age, with five per cent over age 60.

Baby-boomer retirements are a large reason for the national effort to re-make the image of blue-collar work, but not the sole one. The bigger reality flowing from the great numbers who will continue to exit the work force is that the shortage of skilled trades and technical workers is a drag on the nation’s economy.

A third of Canada’s leading manufacturing firms reported to their national association that they are holding off on expansion plans because of a critical shortage of skilled labour.

Sixty per cent of large Canadian companies have experienced project delays due to a shortage of technology professionals. Eighty-three per cent of respondents to a Conference Board of Canada survey indicated that they were experiencing a shortage of skilled labour. The shortfall has been estimated at no less than 50,000 unfilled jobs.

In Ontario, the government has launched several initiatives to attract young people into trades and technical work. In its budget last year, the government committed an additional $25 million by 2005-2006 to provide trades and technical training for 6,000-8,000 people. It has reformed the apprenticeship system, which was unchanged since 1964, with a plan to double the number of new entrants to apprenticeship programs (16,000 new apprentices will be registered this year). It also offers tax credits for companies that provide apprenticeships in certain trades and a loan program for new apprentices to acquire tools. By September this year, the government has mandated that all of its school boards will offer a Youth Apprenticeship Program, which enables students who have completed 16 credits to register for apprenticeships and obtain basic training while still in school.

Article originally published in Volume 5-2 of Your Workplace magazine