Manitoba’s Gateway to Apprenticeship and Certification Initiative is helping young Manitobans to break down barriers they face to apprenticeship and skills training, and build their futures right here at home. This announcement was made by Jobs and the Economy Minister Kevin Chief.
“Manitoba needs more than 10,000 new skilled workers in the construction sector alone over the next decade,” said Minister Chief. “We want to train Manitobans to be ready for those good jobs and work together to find the right one for them.”
The initiative focuses on people from groups that are under-represented in the skilled trades including women, Indigenous people, new Canadians, disabled Manitobans and people receiving income assistance. Through these programs, participants gain valuable training and certification in fields like carpentry, electrical and construction trades. Participants also gain on-the-job experience with local employers. In addition to being able to find a rewarding career in the skilled trades, participants see themselves as role models for their families and communities, the minister said.
These co-op programs are meeting Manitoba’s skilled labour needs by connecting employers with motivated employees who are at the beginning of their career path in the skilled trades, Minister Chief said. He noted these programs will help Manitoba meet its goal of adding 75,000 more workers by 2020.
“Co-op programs provide a great value for people who traditionally may not have had an opportunity to work in skilled trades,” said John Schubert, president, McCaine Electric. “Programs like these offer people a chance to build technical and workplace skills. They also offer a chance for an employee to learn more about a company and a company to learn about an employee, with the goal of full-time employment.”
The gateway initiative allows the province to partner with the private sector and training organizations to provide skills training in a variety of trades. The Prairie Arctic Regional Council has provided pre-apprenticeship training as well as on-the-job training for participants in carpentry with the goal of achieving their Level One towards the completion of their apprenticeship pathway. The electrical program, in partnership with the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 2085, resulted in participants achieving Level One completion and connecting with local companies for on-the-job training.
In the Northern Construction Trades Training program, electricians, millwrights, steamfitters and pipefitters attended training in Thompson. Thirty-two participants have secured work placements and are now doing paid, on-the-job training, mostly in rural and northern communities.
“There’s never been a better time or place to be in the trades and we want to connect young people to the right job for them by providing real-world experience and networks that lead to further training,” said Minister Chief.
