Skilled trade industries happy with inclusion in new Ontario science curriculum

Plans to put more emphasis on skilled trade in Ontario schools is getting praise from industries that rely on these skills.

Education Minister Stephen Lecce made the announcement on Tuesday that an updated science and technology curriculum would include learning about the practical applications of science and technology in skilled trades, and the hands-on nature of the work.

Adam Melnick, Program Director for the Provincial Building and Construction Trades Council which represents 12 trade unions in the province, said there’s been a sense of nervousness at the lack of young people choosing to learn a trade.

“Having the opportunity for earlier interventions and more awareness around the possibilities of skilled trade careers and careers in STEM as viable opportunities is really, really important,” said Melnick.

“The reality that there’s a lot of knowledge and skills that exist in the skilled trades, and the construction industry in particular, that are approaching retirement,” added Melnick.

He tells CityNews about 80 per cent of that knowledge is taught on the job, from one workforce to the next.

“We’re looking at a void of that transfer of information and so it’s really important to bring in obviously more people into the sector,” said Melnick, adding it’s an issue that’s been developing for years.

“Unfortunately, apprenticeship and skills trades just didn’t get the, I guess, attention that it once had.”

Ryan Park, President of Appleby Systems, an HVAC contractor in Oakville, said hiring has gotten harder in the last couple of years.

“We’re definitely experiencing a shortage in people wanting to get a job in the skilled trades,” noted Park. “It’s a struggle, we definitely have lots of work out there but the amount of people applying these days, there’s a definitely a shortage and it’s noticeable.”

Meanwhile Bryan Chica, a plumber who works across the GTA, tells CityNews he first went to school for business administration and marketing management only to discover in his first semester, it wasn’t a good fit. He credits a friend for directing him into his current career and after ten years he says he’s happy with how it’s grown.

“It gets to the point where people come looking for you and when they look for you, obviously the more busy you are, the more money you’re making,” explained Chica. “It’s a good trade, it’s a good skill to have always because, right now, plumbers are in high demand. It’s got me busy where I got out of debt. Right now, I’m in the middle saving to buy a house. So it’s been pretty good, I can’t complain.”

As for more trades in Ontario’s curriculum, Chica said it’s a good idea.

“It’s an opportunity to see if they like that and want to pursue that after high school.”

Melnick says years of talent shortages have gone hand-in-hand with rising wages.

“You are earning immediately when you start an apprenticeship, so you are already in a situation where you are positive in your economic status out of the gate,” said Melnick. “By the second, third or fourth year of your apprenticeship, you’re doing things like buying a vehicle, the vehicle you want, not the one you can afford. You’re getting in a situation where home ownership is a viable option, you’re taking vacations, maybe you’re progressing in your life and you’re settling down with a partner and starting a family.”

The new science and technology curriculum goes into effect in September for the 2022/2023 school year.