A room full of educators, skilled trades industry professionals and union members gathered to bring workforce and apprenticeships into focus during a recent Skilled Trades Ontario 'STO on the Road' visit at the St. Clair College Centre for the Arts.
Skilled Trades Ontario (STO) CEO Candice White and her team visited St. Clair College to meet with community stakeholders as part of a province-wide listening tour currently taking place.
"Skilled Trades Ontario launched STO on the Road as a listening tour to get on the road and speak face-to-face with industry," said White. "We need to hear it directly from them. I don't want to be making assumptions with regards to what changes need to be made, or the impact of the changes we're considering."
The Windsor stop brought together apprentices, employers, educators and industry partners to discuss apprenticeship pathways, workforce development and opportunities in the skilled trades.
Trevor Jones, the Minister of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development and MPP for Chatham-Kent-Leamington, was on hand at the event to listen and outline the importance of skilled trades to the region and province.
"My mission is to inspire young people to consider jobs in the skilled trades, train them well for the jobs of the future, make sure they're protected and that they come home safe at the end of the day," Minister Jones said. "This network here accomplishes all of that. The people in this room have the years of experience and knowledge to do just that."
He said hosting the event at St. Clair College was a natural fit.
"St. Clair is the conduit. It's our gateway into the jobs of the future," said Minister Jones. "St. Clair is agile, it responds to changing trends, the economy, uncertainty, or what's next. They do a really good job."
White said this is just one stop that will touch all corners of the province, including about 25 stops in the west, east, north and south of Ontario.
"I want to hear what's happening and what needs to be changed to ensure that we are here to support and that the changes that we're making will actually have the right impact and to move the system forward, because we need a skilled labour force in this province," said White. "Being able to have those organic, face-to-face conversations will always be more important than reading a report because a report doesn't include the nuances, the personal life experiences and the human element."
"It doesn't contain real-life stories for us to clearly understand the impact of change or the change that is needed," White added.
St. Clair College President Michael Silvaggi and members of the senior leadership team were on hand to host and support the event, as key stakeholders in the mission to build up the skilled trades workforce.
"At St. Clair College, we recognize that Ontario's economic success is directly tied to the strength of its skilled trades workforce," President Silvaggi said. "Whether building our communities, maintaining critical infrastructure, supporting advanced manufacturing, delivering essential services or driving innovation across multiple sectors, skilled trades professionals play a vital role in our province's prosperity."
"As a college, we are proud of the role we play in preparing the next generation of skilled trades workers," President Silvaggi added. "Through hands-on training, industry partnerships and apprenticeship pathways, we work closely with employers to ensure our graduates possess the skills, knowledge and experience required to succeed in a rapidly evolving workforce."
Silvaggi also praised Skilled Trades Ontario for meeting with stakeholders in various communities to ensure their programs are catered to the actual needs of industry.
"The work being undertaken by Skilled Trades Ontario is critical to supporting a modern, accessible and responsive skilled trades framework," he said. "Engagement sessions such as this help ensure that the voices of those working directly within the sector are heard and considered as priorities and initiatives continue to evolve."
The tour will cover discussions around career pathways and apprenticeship opportunities, programs that help students explore careers in the skilled trades, and highlight opportunities and workforce needs specific to Windsor-Essex County.
White also covered how STO is working with local employers, educators and apprentices across Western Ontario, and Skilled Trades Ontario's priorities and initiatives.
"Right now, we're in the listening and learning phase. Very quickly after the series ends, you will see action coming out of the STO on the Road events," said White.
"I hope they take away the fact that we are here, we are listening and there is so much passion, momentum and energy around the skilled trades right now. We need to harness that energy because the time is now."
