Ontario Construction News staff writer
The Ontario government is contributing over $1 million to help the Christian Labour Association of Canada (CLAC) offer 300 construction workers free, online and flexible training for leadership roles such as site supervisors, lead hands, forepersons and superintendents.
“Construction workers build the homes our families live in, the schools where we learn, and the hospitals and health care centres that care for us,” said Monte McNaughton, minister of labour, training and skills development.
“Building the next generation of leaders in this industry, those who will be crucial to moving important projects forward, is essential to our communities and the strength of our economy. This project will offer workers high-quality training, on their own schedule and from anywhere in our province, so they can advance in their careers and earn more.”
Data suggests that the need to replace retiring workers is greater for skilled trades workers than for other occupations. In 2016, nearly one in three journeypersons were aged 55 years or older. According to Statistics Canada, more than 500,000 people were employed in construction in Ontario in 2020.
Construction workers say it is challenging to attend multi-day, in-person training due to health and safety restrictions and heavy workloads on work sites. The new virtual initiative, called the Supervisor Micro-Certification Program, will offer training modules in topics such as health and safety compliance, coaching and mentoring, negotiation, performance evaluation and scheduling. Designed for ease of access, even from mobile devices, this training can be completed at a convenient time and location from anywhere in the province.
“CLAC looks forward to working with employer partners, the Progressive Contractors Association of Canada (PCA), and other industry leaders to develop a leadership program that meets the needs of the modern and mobile learner,” said Colin de Raaf, CLAC Ontario Training Director. “CLAC’s Supervisor Micro-Certification Program will equip current and future on-site leaders with the skills to manage, mentor and coach apprentices and new entrants to construction, in what is a rapidly evolving work environment.”
The Supervisor Micro-Certification Program will run from October 1, 2021, to March 31, 2022. CLAC also plans to expand course offerings so that emerging superivsors can gain additional support and information.
For more information on the virtual training project and how to apply, contact Colin de Raaf, CLAC Director of Training at (519) 653-3002 x 5565 or cderaaf@clac.ca.
“PCA is delighted to partner with CLAC in developing an innovative training program that allows construction supervisors to advance their skills and expand their leadership roles. We appreciate the government’s support as well as the insight and expertise of PCA member companies, who helped make this program possible,” said Karen Renkema, vice-president, Ontario, Progressive Contractors Association of Canada.