On Friday, January 22, we participated in a Ministry of Labour, Training and Skills Development Youth Advisor Secretariat Session with OGCA members EllisDon, AECON Group and Eastern Construction.
Each OGCA member was asked to appear before the panel to address a specific topic in which they had shown leadership: EllisDon regarding steps to engage and promote the trades to underrepresented communities; AECON due to their focus on women in the trades; and Eastern for their continued commitment to employing and supporting youth.
The goal of the session was to have a fulsome conversation with industry-leading construction employers on matters related to increasing the engagement of youth, including youth from under-resented groups, in the skilled trades. The advisors also focused on addressing the stigma associated with pursuing a career in the skilled trades, pathways to learning more about opportunities in construction and supports for prospective apprentices.
The OGCA is excited to see the results of this productive consultation. The Advisors have also launched a survey (click here) and ask you that anyone interested complete it before the end of January.
For more information regarding the Youth Advisor Secretariat, visit the Ministry of Labour, Training and Skills Development Youth Advisors website. For more information about what the OGCA and its partners are doing to address the skills deficit and break down barriers, visit www.ogca.ca.