Contractors association says new trades program will make things more difficult for construction workers in B.C.

Ontario Construction News staff writer

The Independent Contractors and Businesses Association (ICBA) in British Columbia says the government’s new skilled trades certification program will make it more difficult to get into the trades.

The program, announced Friday, “will do nothing to address two problems apprentices and contractors face,” the ICBA said in a statement. One issue is the lack of training spaces available; the other is long waitlists to get into classes.

“There are too few trades schools. For many trades, there is only one school in the entire province serving nearly 250,000 workers,” ICBA president Chris Gardner said. “Compounding the challenge are waitlists at many schools of at least a year, and sometimes up to three years.”

Data from a 2013 study by the C.D. Howe Institute found provinces with imposed restrictions on entry into the trades have 44 per cent fewer workers in the trades than those provinces without a skilled trade certification requirement.

“The industry long ago recognized the multiple pathways a worker takes to acquire skills to become a ticketed tradesperson or to pursue other career aspirations. The evidence shows that compulsory trades do not result in more people completing an apprenticeship.”

The province of British Columbia introduced a new certification system last week to support higher-paying work for tradespeople.

“Skilled tradespeople are building B.C., especially with the largest infrastructure investment in our province’s history already underway,” said Premier John Horgan.

“This is a made-in-B.C. solution to ensure confidence that a highly skilled workforce is behind our recovery while providing good, family-supporting jobs that tradespeople can count on. By working together, we’re ensuring B.C. comes out of the pandemic stronger, with a recovery that reaches people across the province.”

Every other province in Canada requires tradespeople to be certified. B.C. removed that requirement in 2003.

Apprentices will be part of a certified workforce that will build the infrastructure and provide the services that British Columbians rely on every day. Following public consultation, implementation will start with 10 initial trades from electrical, mechanical and automotive disciplines.

“Skilled trades certification recognizes the professionalism of tradespeople throughout B.C., and ensures equity-deserving groups and every person who wants a rewarding career in the trades can access the highest level of education and training,” said Anne Kang, Minister of Advanced Education and Skills Training.

“Similar to a post-secondary degree, a certified trades worker has a certification that is recognized by employers – just like teachers, lab techs, nurses and other certified workers. By recognizing the worker’s skill, we will attract more people into careers in the trades in order to help address labour shortages across a variety of trades.”

The 10 initial trades designated for skilled trades certification are:

  • mechanical: gasfitter Class A and B, steamfitter/pipefitter, refrigeration and air conditioning mechanic and sheet metal worker
  • electrical: powerline technician, industrial electrician and electrician (construction)
  • automotive: heavy-duty equipment technician, automotive service technician and autobody and collision technician

However, Gardner says if the province wants more people to get into the trades, more seats at training schools should be added, and the curriculum should be modernized and delivered more efficiently.

“Governments should not be dictating to contractors how many ticketed tradespeople should be working with apprentices. It’s a level of bureaucracy that adds cost and complexity, and it creates confusion.”

Coming back from the COVID-19 pandemic, Gardner says the government should focus on getting people together to rebuild the economy.

“Limiting discussion and dialogue and rushing programs out the door will only serve to set us back, not move us forward.”

The IBCA represents more than 3,300 members and clients in construction and responsible resource development. It trains more than 5,000 workers every year, and it is the single largest sponsor of trades apprentices in B.C.

A public engagement process will seek input on key aspects of implementing skilled trades certification.

“Trades workers keep our lights on, the heating running and our vehicles safe, and deliver the services British Columbians count on,” said Andrew Mercier, parliamentary secretary for Sskills training.

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