Professional Development/Skills Training

May 12, 2008

Concrete-pump simulator offers state-of-the-art training for operating engineers

A state-of-the-art concrete-pump simulator has been installed at the Operating Engineers Training Institute of Ontario (OETIO) campus in Oakville.

April 9, 2008

Canadian colleges team up with Construction Sector Council to develop training programs

The recent partnership forged between the Construction Sector Council (CSC) and Canadian community colleges is a key step in preparing for future skilled labour shortages, say officials from both groups.

March 28, 2008

Budget helps address construction industry’s fears of future labour shortages

The province’s $1.5 billion commitment to skills development and long-term training has caught the eye of many construction industry officials worried about projected labour shortages.

March 26, 2008

Ontario Budget Reaction: Province’s $1-billion commitment to skills and training comes at the right time

At the core of the Liberals first budget of their second mandate, released on Tuesday, March 25, is a $1.5 billion Skills to Jobs Action Plan and an additional $1 billion in new funds for municipal core infrastructure investment.

March 19, 2008

CAWIC lauds Ontario’s plan to fund more training for women in trades careers

The Canadian Association of Women in Construction (CAWIC) is applauding the government of Ontario’s recent $1.5 million investment in trades training for low-income women, calling it another positive step toward exposing women to careers in construction.

March 18, 2008

Adjusting journeyperson-to-apprentice ratios won’t solve labour challenge, some industry officials warn

The Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB) recently renewed its call for changes to Ontario’s apprenticeship programs because long-term vacancies in industries such as construction are on the rise. But George Gritziotis, executive director of the Construction Sector Council (CSC), doesn’t agree. “It is about the quality of the on-the-job training. Apprentice training has a lot of layers and you have to look at the whole picture.”

March 14, 2008

Ontario Masonry Contractors’ Association plans new training centre at Conestoga College

The Ontario Masonry Contractors’ Association (OMCA) and industry leaders have formed a partnership with Conestoga College and raised enough money to build a $2.5 million, 10,000-square-foot training centre at the Kitchener school’s campus.

March 13, 2008

CFIB seeks expanded ratio for apprentices

The Canadian Federation of Independent Business has renewed its call for changes to apprenticeship programs because long-term vacancies in industries such as construction are on the rise.

March 3, 2008

Mandatory trades certification has already proved its worth

I would like to respond to an article that appeared in Daily Commercial News on Feb. 25. The article was one-sided in that only the opinions of employers were represented in the article. It also leaves the impression that compulsory certification of more trades is bad for the industry.

February 25, 2008

Construction industry officials oppose making certification compulsory for more construction trades

The current review of compulsory certification for the trades must consider how diverse trades in construction are before it makes any final decisions. Tim Armstrong, Advisor to the Minister of Training, Colleges and Universities, is conducting a review looking into the impacts an expansion of compulsory certification could have on individual trades that are currently voluntary.