T R A D E S T O D A YT H E O N TA R I O CO L L E G E O F T RA D E S M AG AZ I N E | S P R I N G 2 0 1 6 | VO LU M E 3 E D I T I O N 1

HIRE WITH CONFIDENCESkilled trades job bank pilot coming soon

TRADES IN DEMANDPreparing for the trades shortage

T R A D E S T O D A Y

F E A T U R E SS P R I N G 2 0 1 6

2. ENFORCEMENT BLITZESCracking down on uncertified tradespeople and bringing workers into compliance.

4. HIRE WITH CONFIDENCEConnecting apprentices and employers through the College’s job bank.

6. TRADES IN DEMANDCanada could lose 250,000 skilled construction tradespeople over the next decade.

8. CANADIAN BUILDING TRADES MONUMENTCelebrating tradespeople and their contributions.

10. VALUE OF SKILLED TRADES CAREERSEncouraging youth to explore career options.

Ontario College of Trades655 Bay St., Suite 600Toronto, ON M5G 2K4

Telephone: (647) 847-3000Ontario Toll free: 1 (855) 299-0028Fax: (647) 340-4332info@collegeoftrades.ca

Cover photo: Kris Caetano. Trades Today is published quarterly by the Ontario College of Trades, delivering information to its members about College activities and news related to Ontario’s skilled trades community. Printed by Formost mediaOne.

Please credit the Ontario College of Trades for reproducing, in whole or in part, articles from this and/or past issues of this magazine’s contents.

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“The employees are proud

to have their names and

IDs on these stickers, as

they have worked

extremely hard to obtain

their certification and

believe in stopping

unlicensed individuals

from taking their work.”- Natasha Bonany, Dave’s Heating and Cooling

S K I L L E D T R A D E S

STICKER OF

Dave Boissonneault, owner of Dave’s Heating and Cooling in North Bay, has taken pride in profession to another level. Boissonneault and his employees have started putting their names and Ontario College of Trades (College) membership IDs on the company’s service stickers. He says that the public is not aware that sheet metal workers and air conditioning systems mechanics are compulsory, licensed trades and that the public should be requesting credentials from the tradespeople they hire.

“The employees are proud to have their names and IDs on these stickers, as they have worked extremely hard to obtain their certification and believe in stopping unlicensed individuals from taking their work,” says Natasha Bonany, a company employee.

Not only do the new stickers give Dave’s employees extra promotion for the work they are doing, but they also promote the College’s mandate and give the public a sense of reassurance that the workers are knowledgeable and qualified to perform the work they have been hired to do.

“It’s always great to see employers going out of their way to protect the public and promote the value of hiring trained and certified skilled trades professionals,” says Warren Barbour, Director of Member Services at the College.

Boissonneault and his team hope that by affixing the stickers to all air conditioners installed and sheet metal work performed that there will be more public awareness of compulsory trades in Ontario.

While only those working in compulsory trades are required to be members of the College, those in voluntary trades can join as well. Members’ names are searchable on the College’s Public Register, an online tool that allows anyone in Ontario with access to a computer the ability to confirm if a tradesperson is a member in good standing with the College.

For more information, visit the Ontario College of Trades’ Public Register at collegeoftrades.ca. 1

APPROVAL

ENFORCEMENT BLITZESBRING COMPLIANCE

Positive changes in motive power sector

he College’s enforcement team has been making their way throughout the province, cracking down on uncertified tradespeople and bringing workers into compliance with current legislation. This past winter alone, the team did a series of blitzes, visiting nearly 600 work sites during a two-week period in London and Markham. The blitzes, which focused on the motive power sector, will become normal procedure in all sectors going forward. One of the goals of these blitzes is to prepare tradespeople, apprentices and employers for future visits, meaning all those in compulsory trades should have proper certification on hand.

The majority of workers and employers whose businesses were inspected over the two week period in December 2015 were receptive to the officers’ visits and College requirements. Membership renewals for expired members and new regis-trations, were accomplished without incident.

John Norris, executive director of the Collision Industry Information Assistance (CIIA) association, says that the blitzes had a positive tone for improving trades compliance and licensing within the motive power sector.

“For the first time ever, more challengers are writing trades exams than apprentices in the last year, thanks to the work of enforcement officers who are successfully motivating unlicensed workers in the field to come forward and write the exam,” says Norris.

The CIIA is an organization committed to the industry and its member shops and towards profitability and success, operating in a professional, environmentally friendly fashion for the benefit of consumers. Norris, with the support and resources of CIIA, and much like the College’s enforcement officers on the ground, want to make it easier for more trades-people to get certified and understand the current legislation.

Norris also adds that more challengers are successfully com-pleting CIIA’s Certificate of Qualification exam preparation class to better help them prepare for the exam and it appears to be working. Recent figures show the failure rates have declined and are continuing to improve.

It appears that there is a lack of communication about opportunities for apprentices who complete their programs.

T A possible solution is the creation of a centralized website for job postings for both apprentices and employers, Norris says. Bob Onyschuk, the College’s Director of the Compliance and Enforcement division, agrees.

“The College’s job board, HireWithConfidence.ca, has been in the works for a long time, and once launched, will address some of the gaps that exist in the industry by connecting apprentices to employers, not only in the motive power sector but in all of those other sectors regulated by the College,” says Onyschuk.

Though there is much more work to be done, working with industry to find solutions remains the College’s long-term plan. Since the blitzes began this past winter there have already been improvements in numbers of test-takers and Certificate ofQualification completions, the number of exam failures has gone down, and the number of new technicians or jouney-persons employed in shops is growing. Overall, there have been improvements and a positive change in the industry. Norris thinks the significant increase in unlicensed technicians becoming more competent and now properly licensed is moving in the right direction.

“The work of the College’s enforcement officers has a measurable, valuable and positive impact on ensuring a level playing field of skilled technicians in the industry and encouraging more technicians to be compliant with trades licensing regulations,” says Norris.

“ The work of the College’s enforcement

officers has a measurable, valuable and

positive impact on ensuring a level

playing field of skilled technicians in

the industry and encouraging more

technicians to be compliant with trades

licensing regulations.”- John Norris, CIIA’s Executive Director

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Hire With Confidence job bank exclusively for skilled trades

pilot project to help people search, apply and hire for jobs and apprenticeships in skilled trades is currently underway.

HireWithConfidence.ca is the College’s job bank website that is being tested as a source dedicated solely to connecting trades-based apprentices, employers and certified journeypersons across Ontario. The goal is to provide a unique Workopolis-type portal specifically for those in the skilled trades in Ontario.

“We’ve heard from across all industries that one of the greatest barriers to apprenticeships is finding people to hire and vice versa,” says David Tsubouchi, the College’s Registrar and CEO. “Businesses didn’t know where to look for good candidates and job seekers have trouble getting their foot in the door.”

“An employment resource dedicated solely to the skilled trades sectors makes sense — it would create a centralized place where people interested in the hiring, training and retaining of talent can connect successfully,” says Tsubouchi.

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CONNECTINGemployers and job seekers

EMPLOYERS - BUILD YOUR WORKFORCE JOB SEEKERS - EXPLORE CAREER OPTIONS

The site is being designed to allow employers who are members of the College’s Employers/Sponsors Class or Journeypersons Class to create an online business profile as well as use it to actively search for apprentices and certified tradespersons for hire.

According to the Canadian Apprenticeship Forum (CAF), a non-profit organization that connects Canada’s apprenticeship community, it typically takes two to five years to train an apprentice, (depending on the occupation). Therefore industries should invest now in order to have the highly skilled tradespeople needed for the future.

In Canada, only 19 per cent of eligible employers train apprentices, though the benefits (to both parties) are countless. For example, a 2008 CAF report estimates on average, for each $1 invested in an apprentice, a benefit of up to $1.38 accrues to employers. More about these benefits can be found on HireWithConfidence.ca.

Apprenticeship is a proven training method that produces productive, highly skilled and safety-oriented employees. Working as an apprentice is one of the best ways to learn. In fact, apprenticeships offer a hands-on learning experience with 90 per cent of the training being paid, on-the-job mentoring from an experienced journeyperson.

If you want to work in a certified trade, completing an apprentice-ship is mandatory–a complete list of compulsory and voluntary trades can be found on the College’s website collegeoftrades.ca. Once you find an employer or sponsor you will need to sign a Registered Training Agreement at your local apprenticeship office.

An oft-cited challenge for those looking for apprenticeships is the lack of opportunities. HireWithConfidence.ca is being piloted to help fill that gap by allowing potential apprentices to create a profile, post a resume, search for available opportunities and apply for jobs in just one click. Journeypersons would have the same option to create candidate profiles and view job postings.

“We are aiming to create a tool that can be the source for those exploring viable career options or staffing their business with talented and enthusiastic professionals,” says Tsubouchi. “The need is there for a valuable resource that can raise awareness of the career opportunities in the skilled trades and address the imminent skills shortage.”

HireWithConfidence.ca

“We are aiming to create a tool that can be the source for those exploring viable career options or staffing their business with talented and enthusiastic professionals.”

5- David Tsubouchi, Registrar and CEO, Ontario College of Trades

There’s talk about the trades

Skilled trades impact virtually all aspects of our day-to-day lives. We rely on the thousands of skilled tradespeople in Ontario to be able to safely drive to the grocery store, visit restaurants, take public transit without worry, and keep the lights on in our homes and workplaces.

Tradespeople keep us and our families safe, comfortable and healthy. Every day, we benefit from a sanitation system that keeps our water clean and free from diseases. Without properly trained skilled trades- people on the job, many of the things we take for granted on a daily basis could be jeopardized. Many who work in the industry are aware of an impending skilled trades shortage, and undoubtedly the invaluable services of skilled tradespeople.

“Without enough trained and committed men and women in the truck and coach and truck-trailer technician trades, the transportation industry would grind to a halt,” points out Jim Pinder, corporate fleet director forErb Group of Companies and a certified truck and coach technician. Pinder adds that for Ontario motorists, factors like the environment and road safety would be negatively impacted with a shortage of workers in the motive power sector.

According to a report released by Employment and Social Development Canada, entitled Canadian Occupational Projection System (COPS) 2013 Projections–Imbalances Between Labour Demand and Supply 2013-2022, there will be projected labour shortages in the following trades:

To determine the projected results over the next decade, researchers combined estimates of recent and future labour market imbalances and looked at three primary indicators: unemployment rates, wages and employment. They also looked at job vacancies, overtime and employment insurance information.

“Everywhere you go, companies are hurting for skilled tradespeople,” says Corey Chambers, a certified construction craft worker. David Cameron, a welder and learning and development team leader at ArcelorMittal Dofasco, agrees. He says it’s evident in his industry too. “The shortage seems to have been threatening for a long time, but I think it is now here. Our company could lose 500 or more maintenance employees due to retirements in the next five years.”

• Chefs• Contractors and supervisors, electrical trades and telecommunications occupations• Contractors and supervisors, heavy construction equipment crews• Industrial & power system electricians• Residential home builders and renovators• Supervisors, railway and motor transportation occupations• Welders and related machine operators

Trades in demandin the next decade

Closing the skills gap

Clockwise: Tony DeGroot - drywall acoustic and lather applicator, Joan

Monfaredi - chef, Jim Pinder - truckand coach technician, Jennifer

Pigozzo - electrician, Dave Eisele -truck and coach technician

The solution, some may say, lies within the industry itself. More promotion of skilled trades and availability of jobs for tradespeople where they are needed most could start attracting more workers to understaffed trades. Some employers though, are already seeing a positive shift.

“Attending industry events, meetings and competitions, I see that there are great young individuals entering our trade, and I feel good about what they will bring to the industry’s future,” says Pinder. “Starting from ground zero, I believe the College has made great progress in promoting and attracting many new individuals into the trades.”

Along with the College, tradespeople can play a huge role in pro-moting their own trades, and the skilled trades industry. Hearing directly from experienced tradespeople at the senior elementary and high school levels, could make a big difference for a student deciding whether or not to go into the trades.

Last fall the College launched earnwhileyoulearn.ca, a website to help young people learn more about the opportunities for a career in the skilled trades.

“The promotion of trades as a viable career has to be supported everywhere possible. That message has to get to students and their parents, teachers and guidance counselors,” says Cameron.

“Without enough trained and committed men and women in the truck and coach and truck-trailer technician trades, the transportation industry would grind to a halt.”

-Jim Pinder, truck and coach technician

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t’s easy to take for granted that a bridge you cross to and from work every day is safe, secure and accessible, or that a newly constructed building offers a climate-controlled, convenient and comfortable place to live or work. Most people don’t think twice about the incredible precision, expertise and skill that go into the projects and developments that we use on a daily basis. Often, when it comes to tradespeople, the mastery behind their accomplishments can sometimes go unnoticed.

Now, for the first time in history, a national monument will be erected to honour these great, sometimes “invisible,” achievements of Canada’s many skilled tradespeople, both past and present. The monument will also serve as a place to reflect and remember the workers who were injured or killed on the job.

The project, called the Canadian Building Trades Monument, will be installed by 2017 in Major’s Hill Park in Ottawa – a site chosen for its steep building history, like the Rideau Canal, constructed in 1826-32, which at the time was the largest and most complex construction project in the world.

Canada’s Building Trades Unions (CBTU), which represents more than half a million Canadian construction workers, is building the monument in partnership with employers, the Department of Canadian Heritage and the National Capital Commission.

“The genesis of the idea really goes back about 10 years ago when a number of us were up on Parliament Hill. There are all these bronzes and their plaques [representing] the people that have been

Iintegral in the making of Canada: our war heroes, the Famous Five, who fought the Persons Case, Prime Ministers,” explains Robert Blakely, Canadian Operating Officer of CBTU. “We looked around and thought: ‘you know what, everything around here, we built; we built the joint, why does nobody ever think about us?’”

The project budget is approximately $1.2 million, and includes costs like design, fabrication and installation of the monument, insurance, and on-going maintenance. It is entirely sponsored by 14 different Canadian trade unions. “We have the best trained trades workforce in the world. We need to be proud of that,” says Blakely, whose father was a plumber and steamfitter.

“We have the best trained trades workforce in the world. We need to be proud of that.”

- Robert Blakely, Canadian Operating Officer of CBTU

Canadian Building Trades Monument underway for 2017

The monument will be more of a place than a thing, explains sculptor John Greer, who along with architect Brian MacKay-Lyons, will design, fabricate and install the monument. Greer and MacKay-Lyons, both Halifax-based, were the winners of a 2015 national design competition open to all Canadians. They were one of four groups of finalists selected from an original pool of more than 40 design teams by a five-person jury of experts, which included Blakely.

The abstract design is centred around a plaza, which is approximately 8.5 by 12.5 metres in size and encompassed by benches on the longer sides. Its most prominent feature is a pair of nine-foot tall plumb bobs, some of the oldest building tools, which are used to ensure that constructions are plumb, or vertical. It will also feature 14 iconic tools, to be chosen by the 14 different trade unions spon-soring the monument. Materials used for the monument will be stainless steel and black Canadian granite.

“We wanted [our design] to be timely and timeless,” says Greer, referring to the plumb bob.

As someone who appreciates hands-on work himself and having a brother who headed a Nova Scotia carpenter union, Greer says he is proud to be part of this project. “I think intellect is underappreciated when it comes to the trades, and I think that’s a traditional problem we have,” he says. “They built our nation piece by piece and trade by trade… to forget that would be foolish.”

CANADIAN BUILDING TRADES MONUMENT:

JUST THE FACTS

“Setting Out” is the name of sculptor John Greerand architect Brian MacKay-Lyons’ winning design

for the Canadian Building Trades Monument

The monument’s location will be Major’s Hill Parkin Ottawa

Materials used for the monument will be stainlesssteel and Cambrian black granite, quarried in

Quebec

The fabrication and installation process will beunderway in 2016/2017

The monument unveiling ceremony will take place in May 2017

Total cost of the monument will be $1.2 million

These renderings illustrate “Setting Out,” sculptor John Greer and architect Brian MacKay-Lyons’ design of the Canadian Building Trades Monument, which will be unveiled in May 2017. It will feature a plaza with two nine-foot plumb bobs in Ottawa’s Major’s Hill Park. Photo courtesy of John Greer and Brian MacKay-Lyons.

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MOTIVE POWER SECTOR GETSTRAINING UPDATE

Motive power trades are constantly changing and evolving to reflect current technology and industry needs. As with any industry, implementing these changes starts with making sure the next generation of skilled trades workers are trained using the most up-to-date tools available.

One such tool is the Apprenticeship Training Standard log book, which clearly outlines the skills and training needed to become competent in the profession. In February 2016, the College updated both the truck and coach technician (310T) and truck-trailer service technician (310J) training standard log books. The last update to these log books was in 2003.

Trevor Cox, a member of the College’s Motive Power Divisional Board, says that the log books play an important role in ensuring an apprentice’s training is thorough and complete.

“I think the updates will make it easier for an apprentice to complete his or her apprenticeship in a more current way,” says Cox, who works as a mechanic for Brampton Transit. “The previous standards were so outdated, [for example] there were many references to gasoline engines. I have worked in the trade for more than 20 years and never touched a gasoline engine.”

Cox also points out that when he first started in the trade there were no log books. “I think some members may not be aware of the College’s efforts to modernize. Most people do not know that some of the training standards are very outdated,” he says. “The updates were long overdue … the standards must constantly change to keep apprentices up-to-date.”

Apprentices who began their apprenticeship training on the former 2003 training standard can complete their program using that standard. However, all apprentices with initial Registered Training Agreements signed on or after Feb. 11, 2016 (truck and coach technician) and Feb. 18, 2016 (truck-trailer service technician) must be trained to this new standard.

New members of the Apprentices Class in the truck and coach technician and truck-trailer service technician trade will be mailed a printed log book along with their Statement of Membership card. They can also download a copy from the College’s website at collegeoftrades.ca/training-standards.

New log books for truck and coach and truck-trailer service technicians

Of the 800 Ontario parents surveyed in a recent Ipsos Reid poll, 95 per cent say that they would be supportive of their child’s choice to pursue a career in the trades, and given Canada’s current skilled trade shortage, there will be plenty of opportunities for Ontario’s youth in the skilled trades. In fact, BuildForce Canada, a non-profit, industry-led organization, estimates that the construction industry will lose approximately 250,000 skilled tradespeople over the next decade due to retirements.

“Knowing there will be trades jobs readily available for my son when he’s finished school will be something I seriously consider while preparing him for a future career,” says Krista Nolan, whose son Aidan is in Grade 6, and interested in exploring the possibilities in the skilled trades.

“With more than 150 trades to choose from in Ontario in the construction, motive power, service and industrial sectors, there are unlimited career possibilities worth exploring. Apprenticeship is a great way to earn money while learning a new skill and working towards a lucrative and exciting career,” says David Tsubouchi, the College’s Registrar and CEO.

The College is doing its part to promote apprenticeships and careers in the skilled trades. Last year, the College participated in more than 200 events throughout Ontario. Also, tradespeople working in the music industry were showcased in a campaign called Tune In, Trade Up, featuring behind-the-scenes footage at two major Ontario music festivals. The video received more than 60,000 views.

This spring, in partnership with Skills Ontario, the College is sponsoring the Ontario Technological Skills Competition for the third year in a row. “Every year we see so many talented young people put their skills on display and inspire others to explore interesting careers and their futures,” says Gail Smyth, Executive Director of Skills Ontario.

The skills competition, being held at Waterloo’s RIM Park from May 2 to 4, is the largest in the country and offers a unique opportunity for students to learn firsthand about careers in skilled trades, design and technology.

Preparing Ontario’s youthfor the workforce of tomorrow

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Mark your calendar for these upcoming events:

The College is working closely with our governance structure and the Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities in considering the recommendations outlined in Tony Dean’s report, Supporting a Strong and Sustainable Ontario College of Trades. Comments and feedback from our members play an important role in this process as we continue to improve the skilled trades system in Ontario. More information can be found at collegeoftrades.ca

TONY DEAN REVIEW

CANADIAN MECHANICAL & PLUMBING EXPOSITION

FUTURE BUILDING

ONTARIO TECHNOLOGICAL SKILLS COMPETITION

March 16 - 18, Toronto

Visit the College’s booth at the largest mechanical and plumbing show in Canada.

cmpxshow.com

April 19 - 21, London

The College is participating in the three-day interactive exhibition that provides young career-seekers the opportunity to experience hands-on activities in all areas of the construction sector.

futurebuilding.ca

May 2 - 4, Waterloo

The College is proud to sponsor Canada’s largest trades competition with more than 67 contests, 2,000 competitors and 20,000 spectators.

skillsontario.com

June 14, 2016

Ontario College of Trades members are invited to attend the third Annual Meeting of Members on Thursday, June 14, 2016, at 9:00 a.m. at the Ontario College of Trades’ office.

Ontario College of Trades655 Bay St., Suite 600Toronto ON M5G 2K4

Updates on the College’s activities and accomplishments will be presented and there will be an opportunity for members to ask College-related questions.

If you would like to attend, please RSVP to rsvp@collegeoftrades.ca.

Upon arrival, please present your College membership card at the registration table.

ANNUAL MEETING OF MEMBERS

UPDATE

On February 2, 2017, the sprinkler and fire protection installer trade will become compulsory. This means that any individual practising this trade on or after this date will have to be a member in one of the College’s membership classes to continue to work legally as a sprinkler and fire protection installer: Apprentices Class (holder of a statement of membership); Journeyperson Candidates Class (holder of a statement of membership); or Journeypersons Class (holder of a Certificate of Qualification/Provisional Certificate of Qualification) issued by the College.

More informationcan be found at

collegeoftrades.ca

SPRINKLER & FIRE PROTECTION INSTALLER CLASSIFICATION CHANGE

CONTEST WINNERS

TAX DEDUCTIONS

Tax time is fast-approaching—this year’s deadline is May 2 since April 30 falls on a Saturday—so it’s time to start considering which deductions you’re eligible for.

TOOLS: Employed tradespersons, including apprentice mechanics, may be eligible for up to a $500 tax deduction for tools bought in 2015. For more information on eligible tools, visit: cra-arc.gc.ca/trades.

MEMBERSHIP AND UNION DUES: Those who pay annual dues for memberships, including trade unions, may also be eligible for a tax deduction (cra-arc.gc.ca).

APPRENTICESHIP CREDIT: Are you an employer who hired an eligible apprentice(s) in 2015? If so, check out the Apprentice-ship Job Creation Tax Credit (AJCTC). For more information, visit cra-arc.gc.ca.

SELF-EMPLOYMENT EXPENSES: If you are a self-employedtradesperson there may be job-related costs that you can deduct, such as vehicle and office supply expenses. Visit cra.gc.ca/smallbusiness for more information.

TAX DEDUCTIONS FOR EMPLOYED TRADESPEOPLE

THE COLLEGE AND STANLEY BLACK & DECKERPROVIDE TEN LUCKY WINNERS WITH TOOLKITS

As part of the College’s Tune In, Trade Up campaign—a campaign showcasing the importance of the skilled trades in the music industry—Stanley Black & Decker generously sponsored toolkits for 10 lucky winners.

Congratulations to Shane Domonkos, Matt Milham, Raymond Boulter, Larissa Worrall, Tina Desjardins, Mike Bechtel, Shane Macaulay, Shawn Watson, James G Ashton and Joe Tetreault on winning the toolkits. Thank you to Stanley Black & Decker for their support.

Follow the College on Twitter (@CollegeofTrades) and Instagram (collegeoftrades) for future contests and the chance to win prizes and other giveaways.

MEMBER PROFILE IMPROVEMENTS

Improvements will be made to the Member Profile portal on the College’s website on March 27, 2016. A cleaner, more user-friendly Member Profile will be launched, which allows members to check their College membership status, expiry date and make membership payments.

In order to access the updated Member Profile on or after March 27, 2016, existing users will be required to update their username and password. Please follow the instructions and prompts that will appear on the Member Profile login page to reset your login credentials.

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REMINDER

Attending industry events, meetings and competitions, I see that there are great young individuals entering our trade, and I feel good about what they will bring to the industry’s future.

JOAN MONFAREDIChef

JIM PINDERTruck and coach technician

- Jim Pinder

“ “