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The Chronicle Herald • Sponsored Content
Tuesday, September 21, 2021
SALTWIRE.COM
Choosing a skilled trades career Apprenticeship programs provide options for trade professionals JUDITH KAYS
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s population numbers continue to grow, the need for skilled tradespeople in the province is proving to be a real challenge. Even though Nova Scotia’s skilled trades sector is one of the highest paid job opportunity sectors in the province right now, there’s a significant shortage of apprentices and qualified trade professionals. Experts say a combination of factors have produced this shortage of labour: retirements, lack of awareness about the trades, stigma about the kinds of jobs that exist and increased demand for new infrastructure. To solve the issue, industry leaders say there needs to be more education and awareness about choosing a skilled trades career, improved exploration of diverse populations as a workforce pool and the understanding that everyone has a part to play.
EDUCATION IS KEY
There are more than 70 trades registered with the Nova Scotia Apprenticeship Agency (NSAA). At any given time, the NSAA has about 7,000 apprentices learning their trade, either at an educational institution like the Nova Scotia Community College (NSCC), through a trade unionled program and/or through onthe-job training. This post-secondary training teaches the skills and competencies necessary to become a certified tradesperson, while learning and getting paid to work. When people think about trade jobs, they usually think about plumbers, carpenters and electricians. There are many more career options that include jobs in one of the four industry sectors the NSAA oversees, in construction, industrial/manufacturing, motive power and service. A tradesperson could be a boatbuilder, hairstylist, project manager, cook or motorcycle mechanic, to name just a few. Gord Gamble, President of Iron Dog, a mechanical systems service provider, says the trades sector is still fighting certain stigmas, but that needs to change. “There are many people that believe the best route to good employment is through a university degree,” he says. “I believe
Pictured here is a wide view of the many tradespeople working to replace a bridge segment in 2015 as part of The Big Lift project. NSCSC that any secondary education is a plus, but people need to know there are a variety of options that lead to great opportunities.” There are many examples of organizations delivering education and awareness, so that people know and understand the benefits of choosing the trades as a career option. The NSAA has targeted initiatives to educate and engage youth and under-represented populations. Employers also understand the importance of education. Gamble says he currently has a Grade 11 student working with apprentices and Red Seal technicians. His company also offers financial and employment scholarships to apprentices through NSCC. “We recognize the role that education plays in exposing people to the trades and everyone benefits when we spend time mentoring and guiding students.” Organizations like the Construction Association of Nova Scotia, the Nova Scotia Construction Sector Council, Skills Canada – Nova Scotia and Techsploration all have programs to introduce the trades as a future employment option. Gamble says there must be greater awareness of the fact that there is a significant shortage of skilled tradespeople
that isn’t matching up with the increased demand for apprentices and certified journeypersons. As well as educating youth, programs are targeting underrepresented populations, including women, Indigenous Peoples, African Nova Scotians, people with disability and newcomers to Canada. It only makes sense to tap into a traditionally underutilized and capable workforce.
DIVERSITY OPENS DOORS
Along with a diversity of skills for the variety of trade career options, there is a need and great advantage to finding a diverse workforce to fill those positions in the labour shortage. In fact, the NSAA, other industry organizations and employers are finding avenues to attract people to the sector through specialized and unique programming directed at these under-represented groups. Marjorie Davison, the CEO of the NSAA, says there is a commitment to improve diversity and inclusion in the apprenticeship system by raising awareness of, reducing barriers to and enhancing support for apprenticeship opportunities for people from diverse communities.
We recognize the role that education plays in exposing people to the trades and everyone benefits when we spend time mentoring and guiding students.” — Gord Gamble, President of Iron Dog
“We have a number of partners who are helping to promote careers in the skilled trades to not only youth, but to those who have traditionally been under-represented in the trades: women, African Nova Scotians, Aboriginal Peoples, persons with
a disability and newcomers to Canada,” she says. As the Government of Nova Scotia prepares to launch several large infrastructure projects around the province, they also see the benefits of opening the doors to diversity and inclusion within the trades sector. They have implemented regulations that require 25 per cent of trade hours be done by apprentices and, of that, at least 10 per cent must be done by apprentices from under-represented groups. Davison says the NSAA works with employers to develop programs to make requirements like this work. “The welcome mat should be out for everyone and we know that takes effort,” she says. “We want to help employers provide fair, consistent and safe work environments that are focused on awareness, compliance, enforcement and procurement standards.” Davison says the NSAA understands the need to embrace diversity and encourage entry into a much wider range of trades to a larger workforce. “People need to see themselves in that job. And while we’re making great strides, there’s still work to do.” Jessica Brison is an Apprentice ‘A’ construction electrician. She started her career as a tow truck driver and then switched gears when she had the opportunity to learn a new trade as an apprentice. While she’s one of very few females on any given job site, she knows she’s in the right place. “I know I can do the job as well as anyone else,” she says. “My boss and co-workers treat me the same as everyone and that’s what makes me accountable and an equal.” Now 28, Brison has accomplished a lot. She will get her Red Seal journeyperson certification in less than a year, she’s just bought her first house and, most importantly, she loves going to work every day. When asked what advice she would give to someone considering becoming an apprentice, she says, “Explore your options and if you want to learn a trade, try it. I have learned so much just working alongside other tradespeople. And remember that hard CONTINUED ON A8
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