14. April 18, 2008 — Paul Krupicz hit the nail on the head. Going to a 1:1 ratio will ensure the safety of the apprentice. With our construction workforce aging it is imperative that this gets changed now. If it doesn't get changed, Ontario will have no construction workforce. Respond to this comment

Grant Stuempfle, Bibby-Ste-Croix

13. April 14, 2008 — This is a no-brainer. The cost to the provincial government is zero. The ratios are safe and this is one sure way to help in the labour shortages in the trades. The education minister should also reinstate the shop programs in all schools to help with the high drop out rates for high schools. There's a lot of potential for students to work with their hands. I believe there are students who can become great trades people who will perform very well if only given the right education. All students need the opportunity to learn and prosper. Respond to this comment

Ed Garraway

12. April 14, 2008 — I have a small Plumbing company (4-6 employees). Over the past few years I have been involved in the Ontario schools co-op progams and have had some potentially great employees. I have been unable to employ these students because of the restrictions placed on the apprentice programs in Ontario. I have also been unable to attract any new Journeyman for employment because of the shortage. I am currently looking for at least 1 and possible 2 Journeyman. I have been in the trade for over 20 years and find the ratios ridiculous. I strongly urge the Ontario government to reconsider the ratio to at least 1-1 if not 1-2. Respond to this comment

William D Bell, President, Bill Bell Plumbing Ltd.

11. April 14, 2008 — We have wanted this change for years. When we put an ad in the paper for a journeyman I will receive 1 -3 calls and double that for an apprenticeship. It's time. Respond to this comment

Steve Stewart,Minden Electric

10. April 14, 2008 — As an owner of an electrical business I have noticed a lot of young people who have taken a pre-apprenticeship course and are looking for employment. Unfortunately we cannot hire them because of the ratio. I feel the government is aware that we have a shortage of skilled trades and are trying to do something about it. However if there is no place for these people to go then it is a little redundant and a waste of taxpayer's money. Respond to this comment

Wayne Brunton,B+T Electric Contracting

9. April 14, 2008 — There are no qualified journeymen to be found. Respond to this comment

Eric Glahs, Lornes Electric

8. April 14, 2008 — The issue of how the current apprenticeship ratios in Ontario limits the development of new trades people has been brought to the attention of the government on many occasions over the last 10 to 15 years, especially as the long predicted and well documented skilled trade shortage has developed. The irony is that to date, while the government publicly recognizes the reality of the skilled trade shortage, they have consistently rejected the notion of making changes to these ratios even while they continue to support new spending initiatives for such things as pre-apprenticeship training. This has been very frustrating for us as trade contractors. Instead of helping us to increase the number of new trades people entering the work force by allowing us to train more of our readily accessible and willing workers here in Ontario, the government has in fact prevented us from providing this training and thereby become a major part of the problem. This is unfortunate because as a result of the current policies, many of our young people are shut out of the opportunity to access the well-paying jobs available in the skilled trades workforce. All the while, the main stream media has for the most part failed to report on the reality of this situation. This lack of reporting was very apparent when during question period in the House on the day following the tabling of the budget, the Opposition grilled the Premier and the Minister about this very issue and on the prudence of spending millions of dollars on pre-apprenticeship training (which was touted by the government as a significant budget benefit) when the government's own regulations prevent most of these trainees from actually being able to get an apprenticeship. This important exchange in the house can be read on the transcripts available on the Ontario government website but it was not mentioned in any one of the 3 significant newspapers that I read every day. Hopefully your recent limited coverage of this issue is the start of a wider attempt by the media to make the Ontario public aware of this situation so that pressure can be put on the government to make changes. Respond to this comment

Rick Krygsman, Vice President, Project Development, Pro Electric Inc.

7. April 14, 2008 — This is the first time I have noticed the DCN Weekly poll. I think having the weekly poll is an excellent idea. I recently submitted the following proposal on possible employment in the construction industry, the ICI sector, to the Hamilton-Wentworth Catholic District School Board, OYAP Coordinator. Ira McDonald Construction Limited might consider employing a student that might want to consider a career in construction in any of the following areas: labourer, carpenter, estimator, superintendent, construction manager, project manager, team player in construction. I have posted the advertisement on www.apprenticesearch.com. I am overwhelmed by the number of applicants. I have not yet sorted out a way to filter the applicants. The OYAP are excited about the opportunity I listed above. They have requested a meeting with me. I just have not decided how to handle the meeting. Look forward to your comments. Respond to this comment

Larry McDonald, P.Eng Director, Ira McDonald Construction Limited

6. April 14, 2008 — Changing the apprenticeship ratio will help to ensure that the next generation of the Ontario workforce will be properly trained to be competitive in the global market. Respond to this comment

Jason Thompson, Thompson Electric

5. April 14, 2008 — Yes they should be changed. I have a small business and the 1 to 1 ratio would benefit our company and hire some local young people in the area Thanks Respond to this comment

Dan D. Healey, Healey Electric

4. April 14, 2008 — The sooner we get this situation resolved the faster we can start training our new young work force in this extremely satisfying field of Electrical Contracting. We will hire 10-15 new apprentices right away, please help! Respond to this comment

Jim Graham, Dial One Wolfedale Electric

3. April 14, 2008 — Safety has been concern voiced against changing the ratio. What would be safer? One skilled electrician with one apprentice (where we want it to go) or Three skilled electricians with One apprentice (where we are now). At three to one - who is looking out for the apprentice - the assumption is always the other gyys will, which really means no one does. Respond to this comment

Paul Krupicz, Engineering Manager, Tiltran Services Inc.

2. April 14, 2008 — The Open Shop Contractors Association believes that the current apprenticeship ratios of 3 Journeyman to 1 apprentice is too restrictive and unfair to future construction employees. It is great to put the money into the training but if the apprentice can't find a job to work in their chosen trade, the funds have been wasted. Current statistics indicate that the average construction worker is a baby boomer aged 40 – 50+ and will be retiring within the next 10-20 years. If we don't provide training and jobs for the youth of today, the construction industry will be hard-pressed in the future. We have written to Ontario Premier McGinty on this issue. Respond to this comment

Marie Sonnenberg, Executive Director, Open Shop Construction Association

1. April 14, 2008 — There are many valid reasons why the ratios should be changed now to allow more Ontario youth to be part of the skilled trades. And, there are no valid reasons why they should not be changed. Thank you for taking the time to ask the question. Respond to this comment

Mary Ingram-Haigh, Ontario Electrical League