Stakeholder Response to Skilled Trades and Apprenticeship Announcement
October 7, 2020
“Minister McNaughton continues to exemplify collaborative and strategic leadership in eliminating red-tape for apprenticeship training and opportunities in the skilled trades. Today’s announcement is yet another example of this government’s commitment to the men and women who build stronger, inclusive communities across the province of Ontario. The Labourers’ International Union of North America (LiUNA) is proud to continue its advocacy of a responsive apprenticeship model for the future, modernization of the skilled trades and optimized career building opportunities.” – Joseph S. Mancinelli, International Vice President and Regional Manager for Central and Eastern Canada, LiUNA
“The Central Ontario Building Trades (COBT) appreciates the government’s further investment in the construction industry to boost training, especially for our apprentices. We also congratulate the panelists selected to help modernize the skilled trades. The COBT applauds the government for maintaining the compulsory trades and looks forward to working with them and helping those non-compulsory trades who would like to become compulsory.” – James St. John, Business Manager and Financial Secretary, Central Ontario Building Trades, Director of the Hammer Heads Program
“We commend Minister McNaughton for his leadership and commitment to investing in a dynamic skilled trades system that focuses on safety and training to support an effective and skilled workforce that is necessary to build and maintain Ontario’s economy. We look forward to supporting the panel in its work.” – James Barry, Executive Secretary Treasurer, IBEW CCO
“When it comes to the skilled trades file, Minister Monte McNaughton has backed up his talk by consistently walking the walk. Today’s announcement is just one of many that Minister McNaughton has made to champion the skilled trades. Ontario’s new car dealers are in dire need of more automotive technicians in the immediate and medium term. Modernizing the skilled trades and apprenticeship system and lowering the cost for apprentices takes us one step closer to filling job vacancies.” – Frank Notte, Director of Government Relations, Trillium Automobile Dealers Association
“The growth and prosperity of Ontario’s communities are reliant on the expertise of our skilled workers. The province’s $75 million investment in apprenticeship and training will increase community access to high-quality education and create opportunities for fulfilling local careers. Career Colleges Ontario is looking forward to working collaboratively with the Skilled Trades Panel to modernize Ontario’s apprenticeship system.” – Christopher Conway, CEO, Career Colleges Ontario
“We welcome today’s news from the Ontario government to take further action on apprenticeships and the skilled trades. The Ontario Chamber of Commerce has long advocated for the modernization of the apprenticeship application system and the promotion of the skilled trades to fulfill labour and skills shortages across the province.” – Rocco Rossi, President and CEO, Ontario Chamber of Commerce
“We applaud Minister McNaughton for his unwavering commitment to getting more young people to join the skilled trades. This new investment will ensure employers are able to train the next generation of workers as we look to rebuild our economy. We look forward to assisting the new panel on ways to modernize the skilled trades and apprenticeship system.” – Mike Gallardo, President and CEO, Merit Ontario
“Now more than ever, workers and young people need a clear path to and through skilled trades apprenticeship programs. Financial help for students removes a barrier to apprenticeship completion, and investments into programs and equipment provides support that will improve success in their learning journey. CLAC also congratulates the five Skilled Trades Panelists and we look forward to working with them as they rebuild and improve the province’s apprenticeship training and registration system.” – Ian DeWaard, Ontario Director, CLAC