1. Employer Apprenticeship [Forum] TODAY’S AGENDA 7:30 amWelcome & Buffet Breakfast 7:45 amSkilled Trades Strategy Presentation 8:00 amApprenticeship & OYAP Process 8:30 amEmployer Opportunity & Incentives Panel 8:45 amEmployer Apprenticeship Barrier Survey Breakfast sponsored by:

2. Skilled Trades [Strategy] www.toolsthatwork.ca Seven Generations Education Institute

3. Skilled Trades [Strategy] NORTHWEST LABOUR MARKET TRENDS High Priority Workforce Issues Aging and Skills Shortages Education and Literacy Levels Resource Dependency (recent layoffs/closures) Entrepreneurs (lack of) Aboriginal Labour Force Growth Source: www.ntab.on.ca

4. Skilled Trades [Strategy] CURRENT ENVIRONMENT Perception of the skilled trades Low paying, involve dirty and demanding physical work and are not intellectually challenging Only 1 in 4 would consider a career in the skilled trades 70% of parents promote college or university as a destination for their child 33% of students actually pursue post-secondary educations 17% high school students drop-out prior to graduation

5. Ways [Education Institutions] Can Help Reduce Shortage of Labour Source: CFIB Survey on Labour 2002

6. Skilled Trades [Strategy] PROVINCIAL GOVERNMENT REACTION MTCU and Ministry of Education Initiatives Canada-Ontario Labour Market Agreement (Nov 2005) Reinvestment into technology departments/shops Introduction of a Student Success Strategy Introduction of a New Literacy and Numeracy Strategy Opening Doors – Web site Skills Connect and CareerMATTERS for students Hiring an Apprentice for employers

7. Skilled Trades [Strategy] INITIATIVES UNDERTAKEN Regional School Boards and the NOEL Hire Education program (Grade 7 & 8) Multi-Skills Trades Initiative – Integrated Trades Program Aboriginal Alternative Education Program Introduction of new guidance courses Skills Canada-Ontario affiliation Ontario Skills Passport

8. Skilled Trades [Strategy] TODAY’S JOB MARKET Reality of a career in the skilled trades Skilled trades play an important role in NWO’s economy Skilled trades provide rewarding, challenging, and well-paying jobs Students and youth can “earn while they learn” Job prospects are good, 44% of jobs available are in the skilled trades and technologies Only 11% of today’s jobs require a university degree

9. Source: CFIB Survey on Labour 2002 Ways [Business] Can Help Reduce Shortage of Labour

10. Skilled Trades [Strategy] EMPLOYER BENEFITS Implementing an apprenticeship training program Increase competitiveness Improve productivity Improve the quality of your services and finished products Improve the skills of your workforce Reduce turnover and increase employee loyalty Plan for the future Source: www.careerintrades.ca

11. Skilled Trades [Strategy] RECOMMENDED COLLECTIVE ACTIONS “Taking Action on Skilled Trades” (OCC 09/05) Launch a marketing and awareness campaign targeted at employers on the benefits of hiring an apprentice Recognize the third component of post-secondary education in Ontario is apprenticeship (college/university) Launch a marketing and awareness campaign targeted at students, parents and youth on the benefits of careers in the skilled trades Source: www.occ.on.ca

12. Skilled Trades [Strategy] RECOMMENDED COLLECTIVE ACTIONS “Taking Action on Skilled Trades” (OCC 09/05) Raise awareness about the importance of essential skills, integrating in training and education Consider making “Test of Workplace Essential Skills” (TOWES) testing mandatory in Ontario workplaces Stakeholders need to collaborate to create and maintain a web- portal for apprentices and employers Source: www.occ.on.ca

13. www.toolsthatwork.ca

14. For more information call (807) 223-5553 ext 2426 or visit the web site www.toolsthatwork.ca Seven Generations Education Institute