Skilled Tradespeople in Demand

Due to the fact that we are experiencing a large retirement from the ‘baby boomers,’ the need for skilled tradespeople will be at all-time high in the near future. According to Harding Road Campus Principal, James Loder, there will be many opportunities for apprentices across the board and it will be the skilled trades where people will have no problem finding employment.  Wages are higher in the skilled trades in comparison to other occupations with an average salary of $22.36 per hour.

The Canadian economy will experience a serious shortage if no proactive measures are taken soon. For example, the mining industry is predicted to take a massive hit over the next eight years with a 92,000 worker shortage. In addition to that, Alberta’s oil sands industry which employs over 33,000 people will need another 17,000 workers.

The government has been noticing this issue and have implemented the Apprenticeship Incentive Grant, Apprenticeship Job Creation Tax Credit and the Temporary Foreign Worker Program. These are preventative measures because the shortage of skilled workers will not only affect the Canadian economy but entire labour markets. It will also issues with competitive markets and have dire consequences on economic prosperity.

Sources: Academy Canada, jobboom.com, Trade Up Your Career, Skilled Labour Shortfall Strikes Canada, Have Trades will Hire.