Skilled Trades

To better understand labour challenges in the construction industry, we interviewed industry representatives and post secondary education leaders who are directly involved in training and hiring skilled trades workers.

Our research will provide essential insights to help industries, post‐secondary institutions, and policy-makers strengthen workforce resilience, close skills gaps, and position Canada’s mining and oil & gas sectors for long-term success in the face of uncertainty.

SMEs are at the heart of Canada’s economy, but without targeted supports, they risk being left behind in the AI transition. Addressing adoption gaps is not only about technology, it is also about building skills, confidence, resilience and equity into the future of work.

Regional assessments in the Cariboo and Northcoast/Nechako regions have identified logistical barriers to training, including housing shortages, childcare gaps, and geographic isolation. To address these issues, the research proposes a Workforce Development Accelerator Framework.