OHBA release/October 23 – The Ontario Home Builders’ Association (OHBA) is exuberant that the provincial government is making changes to the 40-year-old apprenticeship system that will help close the skills gap across Ontario. For the past 10 years, OHBA has recommended lower apprenticeship ratios to make Ontario a competitive training and business jurisdiction and removing a major barrier for young people to enter the skilled trades.
“This is a game changer. This will make Ontario a leading jurisdiction in the training of apprentices. This sets Ontario up to be competitive for generations to come. This means our industry will finally have a system in place to close the trades skills gap across Ontario. This means employers can finally bring apprentices into their small businesses and train the next generation of skilled trades workers. This opens thousands of new opportunities for youth, and people looking for new employment opportunities,” says OHBA President Rick Martins, “The one-to-one ratio will enable thousands of home builders and renovators to hire and train new apprentices. Our members are ready and excited to hire and train the next generation of skilled tradespeople.”
“After years of being last in Canada in apprenticeships, Ontario will finally become a competitive training and business jurisdiction — this is the only way to close the skills gap. OHBA is ecstatic to see the Ford government act on this long-standing OHBA recommendation,” remarks Joe Vaccaro, CEO of OHBA. “Ontario will grow by more than 4.3 million people in the next 25 years and with that there will be an overwhelming need for skilled labour in the building and renovation sector. With this new apprenticeship plan, our members are now going to be able to hire and train the skilled workers they need to build the new housing choice and supply for future #homebelievers.”
Ontario backgrounder: Open for Business: Modernizing Ontario’s Apprenticeship System