Skilled Trades Blog

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For the last 15 years, it has been all about working in the business world. People were going to university and studying to achieve that corner office job. Now, youth still think that's where the good jobs are, even though there are fewer opportunities. The job market is definitely in recovery mode after our economy's nosedive but university graduates are not seeing the same success as they used to. It's time young people started looking at other options for steady well-paying jobs.

Skilled trades jobs are the alternative young people should be considering. They are on par with those office jobs that used to be so desirable — we've already talked about the myths that need busting. The simple reality is that skilled trades need to be better promoted as viable options to young people so that they can make informed decisions about the post-secondary education they pursue and the jobs that will be waiting for them.

ESTIMATED READING TIME: 3 MINUTES

We have always known that there are misconceptions about the skilled trades floating around out there. That's why we've been working so hard to bust those myths that are so common. Today, the Independent Contractors and Businesses Associations (ICBA) released a study showing that 59% of young people aren't aware of how to get into the trades because of common misconceptions.

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We've been getting excited about the promotion of the skilled trades to young people across the country lately — and now it's happening in our own backyard! Yesterday, 180 Niagara Catholic District School Board high school students came together at Ball's Falls Conservation Centre for a skilled trades for women networking luncheon.

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Not everyone is handy. And even the handiest people out there need help from the experts. When you have home maintenance issues that are over your head, you need a licensed, proven service provider to  solve your problem. Where would we be without those helpful skilled trades people who make our daily lives easier?

At the rate we're going — we may find out.

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Despite Canada's shortage of skilled trades workers (some have even called it a crisis), people seem to overlook the value in a skilled trades education and career. In fact, the common misconception is that skilled trades people couldn't cut it in a traditional post-secondary education. As we've said before, that is simply untrue. If you were to ask a university graduate to fix a furnace, they would be completely out of their depth. So why is the value of the skilled trades so often overlooked?

ESTIMATED READING TIME: 3 MINUTES

The skilled trades have been making headlines across the country and we love seeing the interest that is growing in careers in the trades. High schools are introducing initiatives to encourage young people to explore trades jobs in Canada and skilled trades education options.

One such initiative encouraging trades exploration is growing in popularity at Glace Bay High School in Nova Scotia. The program allows students to research everything from wages to how long programs run to the future of the trade.

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When the media covers the Skilled Trades, we get excited to share it with you. This week, MacLean's Magazine put the spotlight on the skilled trades jobs in Canada. They're busting the same myths we've been talking about, making sure readers understand that although the trades have long been dismissed as a career path for those who aren't 'book smart,' the trades are, in fact, complex, technical and rewarding.

ESTIMATED READING TIME: 3 MINUTES

When the media covers the Skilled Trades, we get excited to share it with you. Recently, Sun Media released their Guide to Higher Education, featuring the article Breaking Down Barriers to Skilled Trades. And, although it focuses largely on apprenticeship opportunities, the importance of the message remains: "Helping under-represented groups pursue the skilled trades is a priority for the Ontario College of Trades."

ESTIMATED READING TIME: 3 MINUTES

Not long ago, most people thought that all you needed to be a skilled trades person the know-how and a strong back, but the perception is shifting. Everything you look at has been created by someone in the trades, so shouldn't tradespeople get a little more respect? It takes more than the ability to use some tools — Do you have what it takes to join the skilled trades?