Skilled Trades
Research
Perceptions of Trades Training Gaining Traction over University
Canada faces a shortage of workers in the skilled trades, resulting in part from persistent labour-market demand driven by activity in construction, manufacturing, transportation and...
Research
Emissions Reduction and Demand for Skilled Trades
Canada’s push to meet its climate targets will reshape both the construction sector and the broader demand for skilled trades. If policies outlined in the 2030 Emissions Reduction Plan (ERP) continue to take effect, demand for skilled trades in construction and supporting sectors (e.g., rail) will shift dramatically, driven by new sustainability standards, infrastructure priorities, and green technology advancements.
Project
Enhancing a National Recruitment System for the Unionized Construction Industry
This project’s overall goal was to design and test virtual strategies to recruit more individuals, especially those from underrepresented groups (women, Indigenous Peoples, racialized people, newcomers and youth), to careers in the construction trades.
Research
Best Practices for Advancing Equity, Diversity and Inclusion in Manufacturing
While research underscores the challenges in the manufacturing sector, considerable gaps exist in our understanding of the representation and barriers women and other equity-deserving groups face. This report draws upon Statistics Canada data, surveys, industry reports and publicly available resources to provide an overview of the current state and strategic challenges, and their intersection with EDI issues.
Project
The Autonomous Microfactory: Skills Development Training Program
In the early stages of the COVID pandemic, many manufacturing processes had to shut down due to the lockdowns and the need for social distancing. The Creative Technology Lab at Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU)—a microfactory manufacturing model—intended to address these challenges and allow production to continue and adapt.
Project
Skills Match — The Energy Fit
The Skills Match—The Energy Fit project had the broad goal of addressing the skills gap in Canada’s energy industry by using innovative tools, namely virtual reality (VR) technology and an interactive website, to facilitate career transitions.
Project
Doing It Right
The Doing It Right project, based in the Yukon, sought to address the barriers faced by women and gender-diverse individuals in the skilled trades.
Project
Workforce 2030: Rapid Upskilling for Green-Building Occupations
By 2030, the Canada Green Building Council (CAGBC) estimates that with the appropriate framework and investments in place, the Canadian green-building industry could support approximately 1.5 million direct jobs. In Ontario alone, over 100,000 new construction workers are needed in the next 10 years to keep pace with future demand and retirements.
Project
Beyond hours: Piloting an alternative to tracking and understanding apprentice competency in Canada
The persistence of labour and skill shortages within the trades is exacerbated by challenges with on-the-job training and skills recognition. The prevailing methods to document and formally recognize the skills that apprentices acquire through workplace learning are outdated.