Katherine Jacobs Director of Research & Operations Ontario Construction Secretariat

Canadian Construction Industry … A Leader in Employment Growth

Demand for Construction Workers  252,000 workers are required in Canada’s construction sector over the next decade  They anticipate attracting an estimated 152,000 first-time new entrants from Canada’s population  This leave a gap of 100,000 workers  In ONTARIO, the gap is 40,000 workers Source: BuildForce Canada, Construction Looking Forward,

Research Canadian Construction Industry… Unemployment Rates Near Record Low

Research Trades in Demand Source: BuildForce Canada, Construction Looking Forward, Boilermakers Construction Millwrights Electricians Floor Covering Installers Glaziers Painters & Decorators Plasterers / Drywall Installers Plumbers Refrigeration & AC Mechanics Roofers & Shinglers Tilesetters

Research Construction Apprenticeship …. An Opportunity ”Ontario’s apprenticeship system is a key part of building the well-educated and highly skilled workforce the Province needs to compete in the current and future economy.” Ontario Budget 2012

Research Construction Apprentice Profile Average age of a starting apprentice is 27 40% of apprentices have children Half of apprentices have had more than three jobs prior to registering Half of registered apprentices were not aware of their current program when they were in high school …No longer a transition from school to work Source: Statistics Canada, National Apprenticeship Survey, 2007

What We Wanted to Know Objectives: 1.Document joint labour/management contributions to training and apprenticeship 2.Determine completion rates for union and non-union apprentices

Research Increasing Union Role  95 Training Centers  39 Training Delivery Agents  $260 million capital investment  $40 million annually from training contributions

Research Increasing Role of Union

Research Unique Apprenticeship Initiative Safety Training & Skills Development Expert Coaching & Mentoring Creating Apprenticeship & Career Opportunities Achieving Goals & Dreams

Research Registrations Increase …Yet Completions Lag

Research Why are Completion Rates Low?

Research Measuring Completion Rates Notional Completion Rate : The number of apprentices that complete in a given year, as a share of the number of new registrants in a prior year, lagged by the prescribed duration of the respective program

Measuring Completion Rates Number of Completions in 2008 Number of new Registrations in Time Notional rate is 50% Program duration 4 years

Research Compulsory Trades More Likely to Complete

Research Looking at Union / Non-Union MTCU data allows a direct comparison of notional completion rates for four compulsory trades: 1.Sheet Metal Workers 2.Plumbers 3.Steamfitters 4.Electricians

Research Greater Union Success

Research Union Supports for Apprentices  Screening procedures and pre-requisites  Financial support for apprentices, especially for tuition  Remedial training for apprentices (math and literacy)  Mentoring and counselling  Workplace experience with multiple employers  Supplementary training to enrich apprenticeship training above the provincial standards  Refresher training prior to the C of Q examination

Research Policy Issues & Outcomes  Focus attention on completions  Utilize investment and know-how in union / employer training facilities  Implement apprenticeship requirements on all government procured construction projects to help create more opportunities Infrastructure Ontario (IO) to implement apprenticeship requirements on government procured construction projects

Research Key Takeaway Messages  Increasing enrolment in apprenticeship viewed as means for addressing the need for skilled workers  Investment in apprenticeship enhances innovation, productivity and social development  However, completion rates are low

Research Key Takeaway Messages  Joint labour/employer training trusts have found the key to raising completions rates and building the skilled workforce  Opportunity for all levels of government to embrace and support apprenticeship through procurement practices

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