Ontario Government Introduces Building Opportunities in Skilled Trades Act

On Thursday, May 6, Monte McNaughton, Minister of Labour, Training and Skills Development, introduced Bill 288: Building Opportunities in Skilled Trades Act to make the province’s skilled trades and apprenticeship system more efficient, accessible and easier to navigate.

The OGCA, together with our industry partners at the Ontario Skilled Trades Alliance (OSTA), have spent over a decade advocating for a training model that meets the needs of ICI construction employers. This legislation represents a core element of the OGCA Strategic Plan that focuses on improving access to training for our members and the construction industry as a whole.

In September 2020, the Minister appointed a five-member Skilled Trades Panel, led by Mike Sherrard of APP Member Sherrard-Kuzz LLP, to consult and provide advice and recommendations on a new service delivery model to replace the current services delivered by the Ontario College of Trades and on matters related to the classification and training for trades.

A copy of the Phase 1 Panel report is available by clicking here.

If passed, the Skilled Trades Ontario will become the province’s industry-informed training authority to lead the promotion, research and development of the latest apprenticeship training and curriculum standards. It will also provide a seamless experience for client-facing services, including registration, issuance of certificates and renewals, and conduct equivalency assessments in one place. The proposed legislation will also divide responsibility for apprenticeship between Skilled Trades Ontario and enforcement with the Ministry of Labour, Training and Skills Development.

For a full summary of the proposed changes to training and certification, compliance and enforcement, as well as the shared functions of Skilled Trades Ontario and the Ministry, read our Bulletin on Bill 228: Building Opportunities in Skilled Trades Act.