Negative perceptions toward skilled trades contributes to labour shortage

A major recent survey commissioned by the Canadian Apprenticeship Forum—Forum canadien sur l'apprentissage (CAF-FCA) and Skills/Compétences Canada (S/CC) depicts negative perceptions exist towards skilled trades. It is these negative perceptions that may contribute to a looming shortage of skilled tradespersons. Compounding this situation, the future supply of skilled tradespeople is at risk since university is the first-choice post-secondary education option among Canadian youth.

The majority of people believe that skilled trades are low paying, involve dirty and demanding physical work, and are not intellectually challenging. The 2004 CAF-S/CC study found that only one in four young people said they would consider a career in the trades. This is undoubtedly due in part to another finding of the survey - 60% of youth reported that their parents have not encouraged them to consider a career in trades while 71% said that even guidance counselors have not encouraged them to consider these professions.

These negative perceptions are literally turning off Canadian youth to a dynamic and fulfilling career in the skilled trades! In fact, there are actually over 200 skilled trades in Canada, career options for every interest and aptitude, jobs that offer respect, opportunity and good pay! Overall, tradespeople earn 3.1% more than the average Canadian and over 20 different trades provide earnings substantially above the national average (Statistics Canada, 2001 census). For example, according to the Canadian Federation of Independent Business, tool and die makers earn 23% more than the average, machinists 6% above the average and electricians 16.5% above the average.

And job prospects are good. Recent projections estimate 913,000 skilled trade job openings between 2003 and 2015, half of those due to retirement of today's workers. Skilled tradespeople who complete an apprenticeship also have the opportunity to “earn while they learn,” thereby minimizing any accumulated debt load from tuition costs.

The physical demands of skilled trades jobs vary greatly between professions - some do indeed require modest physical strength and endurance, but most do not. However, virtually all of the trades do require intelligence and creativity as well as good literacy, mathematical and analytical skills.

Through the use of technology, skilled trades are not “dirty” as they once may have been and are still perceived to be. In fact, knowledge of computer software and mechanical systems control equipment is increasingly important. Indeed, demand is rising quickly for skilled tradespeople who have an aptitude for technology. Today, the line between “white-collar” and “blue-collar” is becoming blurred.

So why are we facing a looming shortage of skilled tradespeople? Besides today's mistaken perceptions of skilled trades, the coming mass retirement of baby-boomers will have a serious impact as the first of this generation will reach 65 by 2012. By 2020, Canada could be short a million workers, according to Statistics Canada.

While the one quarter of Canadians who never finish high school are obviously severely limiting their career options, secondary school graduation is no guarantee of a good job either. Government studies reveal that, overall, even including high school graduates, half of young people enter the work force without the skills they need to compete for good jobs.

Although 70% of jobs require some form of post-secondary education, university is not the best choice for everyone, however. In fact, only 11% of jobs require a university degree.

Unless Canada's skills shortage is alleviated, the country's economic opportunities will narrow. Skilled tradespersons play an important role in building Canada's economic future. Subsequently, perceptions of skilled trades as a first-choice career option must improve to help bridge the gap between the skills shortage and the training deficit.

To counteract the impending shortage, in January 2003, Human Resources Skills Development Canada (HRSDC) announced $12 million for a 4-year campaign to develop and promote skilled trades as a first-choice career option. The campaign, entitled “Skilled Trades: A Career You Can Build On.” is a joint project between the Canadian Apprenticeship Forum and Skills Compétences Canada and has two primary objectives: to change the perception of skilled trades by Canadian youth, their parents and other key influencers; and, to encourage employers to hire and retain more apprentices. This multi-faceted campaign was officially launched in September 2004 and will continue until December 2006.