Ontario Improves Skilled Trades System
October 27, 2009 12:01 PM
McGuinty Government Establishes College Of Trades To Modernize Apprenticeship
The Ontario College of Trades will modernize the province's apprenticeship and skilled trades system, a key contributor to the province's economic prosperity.
Legislation
passed today enables the establishment of the College. Along with regulating its members, it will encourage
more people to work in the trades and give industry a greater role in governance, certification and training.
The College will help the system better serve employers, skilled tradespeople, apprentices and the economy.
The College will be implemented in phases, and be fully operational by 2012, putting the skilled trades on a similar footing with teachers, doctors and nurses, who have their own professional regulatory colleges.
QUICK FACTS
- Approximately 120,000 Ontario apprentices are currently learning a trade today - almost twice as many as there were in 2003.
- Encouraging people toward careers in the skilled trades is a significant priority for Ontarians.
- More than 150 apprenticeable trades in Ontario cover the construction, industrial/manufacturing, motive power and service sectors.
LEARN MORE
CONTACTS
- Annette Phillips (For media)
Minister's Office
416-326-5748
Annette.Phillips@ontario.ca - Tanya Blazina (For media)
Communications Branch
416-325-2746
tanya.blazina@ontario.ca
- For public inquiries call
416-325-2929 or 1-800-387-5514
TTY 1-800-263-2892
ontario.ca/postsecondary
"The skilled trades are more important to Ontario's future than ever before. Establishing the College of Trades recognizes the sector's professionalism, and will help Ontario produce the skilled workers we need to compete in tomorrow's economy."
– John Milloy
Minister of Training, Colleges and Universities
Communities
