Canada / Skills/Compétences Canada launched National Skilled Trades and Technology Week

Today, Skills/Compétences Canada launched National Skilled Trades and Technology Week, encouraging youth to consider careers in skilled trades and technology.  The not-for-profit organization believes that the existing mismatch between skills and jobs in Canada presents an opportunity for young students to align their education of skills with specific industry needs

At an event today at Centennial College, 300 local students took part in interactive Try-a-Trade® and Technology activities and workshops.  Many other activities aimed at engaging young Canadians to consider skilled trades are taking place throughout the country this week.

“In this current economy where there\’s a high rate of youth unemployment, high school students have to be especially proactive regarding their curriculum choices,\” said Shaun Thorson, CEO of Skills/Compétences Canada, while at the National Skilled Trades and Technology Week launch event today.

This year’s theme, Essential Skills, speaks to the importance of nine skills identified by Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) as critical to a successful career in skilled trades and technology.

“Our industry partners in energy, natural resources, construction, manufacturing and services sectors are reporting that too many young workers are showing up at the job site without the proficiency of skills that is required to complete the work, said Thorson. “It’s a huge economic concern.”

Chosen excerpts by Job Market Monitor. Read the whole story at

via How to Curb Youth Unemployment: Develop Essential Skills — TORONTO, Nov. 5, 2013.