May 30, 2008

Skills Training

Review recommends establishment of College of Trades in Ontario

Ministry of Trades, Colleges and Universities to decide on how to proceed

VINCE VERSACE

staff writer

A long-awaited compulsory certification review by consultant Tim Armstrong is done. How to proceed from here is the question.

“I think this report presents us with a real golden opportunity to look at this issue and look ahead and not be stuck in the past,” says Patrick Dillon, business manager of the Provincial Building and Construction Trades Council of Ontario.

“Labour market partners have to be prepared to act more like partners. We can make the most of this opportunity or lose it.”

Armstrong delivered his report late last week to the Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities (MTCU). He received submissions from about 100 industry stakeholders from both labour and management.

Armstrong’s review looked at the effect an expansion of compulsory certification could have on trades where it is now voluntary.

The review also attempted to gauge the effects compulsory certification would have on health and safety, new apprentice registration and completions of trades training, consumer protection, costs and the overall impact on the economy.

“This inquiry has led me to the conviction that there is substantial potential to improve and enhance the standing and effectiveness of apprenticeable trades and their continued, strengthened contribution to the growth of the Ontario economy,” Armstrong wrote in the review.

A specific recommendation is that the MTCU consult with industry stakeholders to establish an all-trades governance body, a College of Trades.

This governance body would “establish a trades advisory panel to deal with applications for compulsory certification status, in light of a comprehensive and relevant set of criteria,” Armstrong wrote.

“The notion of a College of Trades is interesting,” says David Zurawel, vice-president policy and government relations, Council of Ontario Construction Associations.

“The idea definitely has the potential to provide a whole new level of engagement with the provincial government.”

Zurawel says the issue of compulsory certification is a contentious one among COCA’s various members.

“We find ourselves still digesting what we read and we do have more questions than answers,” says Zurawel. “We will supply the report to our membership and look for recommendations, general feedback and further questions about it.”

The Open Shop Contractors Association (OSCA) says the area of compulsory certification is a difficult landscape for the government — let alone someone commissioned to do a review of it — to manoeuvre in.

“The report is calling for some action but that action is so complicated it almost makes it a dead issue,” says David McDonald, chair at OSCA.

Clive Thurston, president of the Ontario General Contractors Association (OGCA) says the report is “fairly responsible and recognizes there is no easy answer to this.” The OGCA has stated in the past that compulsory certification could create barriers that reduce the industry’s available and diversified workforce.

‘There is not enough talk and true facts on the issue,” says Thurston. “This report lets us look at a framework for discussion and review and that is a good thing. There is room here to talk and go on. It is a complex issue which cannot be just suddenly legislated.”

The International Union of Operating Engineers, Local 793, said in a March letter to the Daily Commercial News that it welcomed Armstrong’s review. Local 793 said mandatory certification for operators who run heavy equipment such excavators, dozers and mobile concrete pumps would make construction sites safer.

Compulsory certification of crane operators has helped make the profession safer, it said.

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