A great deal of discussion is going on now about whether Canada is facing a shortage of skilled workers. Whether you are in the camp that believes it is or not, I think most people would agree that a country whose population has a diverse set of skills is able to respond more effectively to changing domestic and global economic demands.
Canada is facing some challenges, one of which is an aging population that by 2020 will see most baby boomers in retirement and 17.9 per cent of the population 65 or older. If, as a country, we want to be able to replace these workers and also decrease the youth unemployment rate, which in British Columbia is hovering around 15 per cent, we need to take action.
To begin with, more balance needs to be brought to the discussion about potential careers, in particular those that are in skilled trades and require training through an apprenticeship.
Unfortunately, skilled trades have typically been viewed as jobs, not careers. Many students, parents, teachers and the public in general do not understand that most apprenticeships are two to five years in duration and encompass an on-the-job and in school component roughly on an 80/20 basis respectively. While this training is underway, apprentices are being paid, they are able to earn while they learn, which makes for a strong financial argument for students to consider this career path and for parents to encourage them in this direction.
Chosen excerpts by Job Market Monitor
via Skilled trades: Can we do it better?.
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