We Need More People in the Skilled Trades For decades, we’ve been hearing about the shortage of people entering the skilled trades, and it seems like the problem is getting worse, not better. Projected shortages are getting larger, and the reason is that the trades supposedly have an image problem. I don’t think it is that simple, and better marketing
Your Chances of Getting an Apprenticeship: By the Numbers By any measure, Ontario is desperately short of skilled tradespeople. We need people now, but the first step in becoming a tradesperson is to get signed as an apprentice. The only way into a skilled trade is to complete an apprenticeship. You’d think that with the shortage, almost everyone who wants
What’s the Highest Paying Trade in Ontario in 2024? Many of our prospective students ask some version of the question, “what is the highest paying trade in Ontario?” We understand the impulse behind this – many people want to go into a field where they can make the most money. University students ask the same question, “what subject should I
How to Become a Skilled Trades Apprentice in Ontario in 2024 The first step in taking advantage of the tremendous opportunities in the skilled trades is to become an apprentice. We get questions from prospective students almost every day that ask us how to do this. They’ve often done an online search, but even after that they don’t have a
Should Your College Find You an Apprenticeship?Matching Students with Local Jobs in the Trades Students go to college or university to get jobs. This is the overwhelming reason that students and parents give for going to college and it has been true for decades. Despite the other reasons why people pursue post-secondary education, and there are some, it is naive
Company Costs in Hiring Apprentices and Why it Matters An apprenticeship is a form of education. Knowledge and skill are transmitted to students who earn a credential, and in many trades the credential is required in order to work in that trade. What is different about an apprenticeship vs college or university is where the learning takes place. And this
The Sizzle of the Trades Becoming a skilled trades apprentice opens up a massive range of career possibilities. More people are being attracted to these opportunities, in part because HGTV and the various renovation and real-estate shows play up the glamorous parts of trades jobs. While this is all good for generating interest, it is not sufficient for actually getting
Is it Hard to Get an Apprenticeship in Ontario in 2024? Ontario needs over 100,000 new tradespeople in the next five years. With all that demand, getting an apprenticeship should be easy. However, it is the most difficult step in becoming a journeyperson. This is partly because companies cannot afford to take on poor apprentices, and partly because some would-be
What is the Purpose of an Apprenticeship? Apprenticeships are an educational model with a long history. They were initially conceived as a way to educate the whole person – to teach someone how to be a contributing member of the community as well as a skilled artisan. And it was critical that the apprentice be a good citizen first, before
Workplace Readiness Skills and Routines in the Trades The Skills That Pay Series: Workplace Readiness Skills and Routines in the Trades. In the trades, workplace readiness is about far more than technical expertise. It is primarily about developing skills, routines, and habits that foster preparedness, focus, and reliability on the job. As demand grows for skilled trades professionals, employers increasingly
Mindsets and Decision-Making in the Trades The Skills That Pay Series: Mindsets and Decision-Making in the Trades. In the trades, where hands-on skill meets technical expertise, the way decisions are made can significantly impact both the quality of work and the trajectory of a worker’s career. While technical proficiency and physical dexterity matter, the underlying mindset that drives decision-making is
The Essential Role of Tools in the Skilled Trades The Essential Role of Tools in the Skilled Trades The skilled trades sector relies on precise, durable, and efficient tools to perform tasks that are essential to construction, manufacturing, and repair industries. The effectiveness of any tradesperson often depends not only on their expertise but also on the quality and suitability
Measurement and Calculations in the Skilled Trades: A Foundational Competency Measurement and Calculations in the Skilled Trades: A Foundational Competency Introduction Measurement and accurate calculation are foundational abilities in the skilled trades. Tradespeople rely on these skills in every aspect of their jobs, from pre-planning and interpreting drawings and blueprints, to determining material needs, and executing tasks to exact specifications.
Interview Preparation and Resume Building for Entry-Level Tradespeople Interview Preparation and Resume Building for Entry-Level Tradespeople Getting started in the trades isn’t just about having the right skills; it’s about communicating them effectively. For many entry-level tradespeople, preparing for an interview or building a resume can feel daunting, especially when a lot of the advice available is framed by corporate
The Importance of Workplace Assessments in the Skilled Trades The Importance of Workplace Assessments in the Skilled Trades Workplace assessments are vital in the skilled trades for fostering productive, adaptive, and harmonious environments. In roles that require technical skill, adaptability, and interpersonal effectiveness, understanding one’s work preferences and potential growth areas is essential. Workplace assessments provide insights that can improve
Project Planning and Tracking: Why Big-Picture Thinking Matters from Day One Project Planning and Tracking: Why Big-Picture Thinking Matters from Day One For too long, project planning and tracking have been regarded as the domain of managers—a skillset learned only after years of “on-the-job experience.” This approach may sound logical, but in practice, it leaves entry-level employees playing perpetual catch-up.
Building and Assessing Skills Through Failure and Feedback Instead of Grades Building and Assessing Skills Through Failure and Feedback Instead of Grades In the trades, no one cares about how well you can recite a textbook definition or ace a multiple-choice test. Employers care about one thing: what you can do with your hands, your mind, your tools, and your
The Benefits of Construction Management Software in the Trades The Benefits of Construction Management Software in the Trades For decades, construction and trades relied on handwritten notes, physical time sheets, and mountains of paperwork to manage projects. But in today’s fast-paced world, this old-school approach simply doesn’t cut it. Employers are now looking for tradespeople who not only know their
Professional Skills as the Basis of Career Advancement in the Skilled Trades Professional Skills as the Basis of Career Advancement in the Skilled Trades In the skilled trades, technical expertise is part of a successful career, but a person’s professional skills will ultimately determine their long-term advancement. As tradespeople progress in their careers, their ability to navigate management, operations, and
Management and Business Competencies in the Skilled Trades Management and Business Competencies in the Skilled Trades In the skilled trades, success often hinges on more than just technical expertise. While technical mastery is part of the foundation of a successful trades company, business and management competencies are critical for running operations, building client relationships, and fostering growth. This blog explores
Equipment, Systems, and Modern Technology: Why Trades Education Must Evolve Equipment, Systems, and Modern Technology: Why Trades Education Must Evolve The trades have long been a backbone of our economy, offering fulfilling careers and practical solutions to everyday problems. However, the world of trades is evolving rapidly, and education must keep pace. Gone are the days when a tradesperson could
