Montréal – Canada needs more skilled trades workers. Demographic shifts and high retirement rates are fuelling demand and an ever-growing need to recruit and train thousands more Canadians for rewarding careers in the skilled trades.
Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Official Languages, Randy Boissonnault, highlighted an upcoming interactive exhibit to be held in Montréal, Quebec, from October 4 to 5 at the Job and Continuing Education Fair (at the Palais des Congrès de Montréal) and from October 12 to 13, at the National Job Fair (at the Olympic Stadium).
Developed by the Government of Canada, this exhibit will help raise awareness of the value of a career in the skilled trades. This is part of a national tour across Canada, which includes stops in Fredericton, Saint John, Toronto and Vancouver later this fall.
This new interactive and dynamic exhibit provides an experience where individuals can learn about different skilled trades careers, find in-demand trades in their province or territory and discover the steps it takes to become a skilled trades worker. This exhibit focuses on creating an in-person and immersive experience and directs participants to Canada.ca/skilled-trades—a repository of information about what the skilled trades are, how to get started, and which trades are the most in demand.
The Government of Canada collaborates with Skills Canada to promote the skilled trades. Skills Canada’s strong presence across the country and work promoting careers in the skilled trades will boost regional representation at these events, giving participants access to local information about the possibilities of the skilled trades. In Quebec, the construction industry makes up 38% of employment in Red Seal trade-related occupations. In the Montréal area, there are several Red Seal trades, across sectors, that have attractive employment outlooks for the 2022–24 period. They include:
- automotive service technician, truck and transport mechanic
- baker
- concrete finisher
- industrial mechanic (millwright)
- cook
- tower crane operator
- electrician
- floor covering installer
- hairstylist
- refrigeration and air conditioning mechanic
- heavy equipment operator
- industrial electricians
- ironworkers
- landscape horticulturists
- machinist
- motorcycle mechanic
- recreation vehicle service technician
- sheet metal worker
- tile setter
- welder
This campaign supports the efforts of the Government of Canada’s Canadian Apprenticeship Strategy, which aims to support a trades workforce that is skilled, inclusive, certified and productive. As part of the Strategy, the Government invests nearly $1 billion annually in grants, loans, tax credits, Employment Insurance benefits during in-school training, projects, and support for the Red Seal Program.
“Skilled trades workers are the backbone of the Canadian economy. With demographic shifts and high retirement rates, Canada needs more skilled trades workers. These rewarding careers are an integral part of several industries across the country. Our government continues to raise awareness about the great careers available to young Canadians in trades. We are building a robust and diverse skilled trades workforce now for the economy of the future.”
– Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Official Languages, Randy Boissonnault