Ontario Construction News staff writer
The Quinte Home Builders Association (QHBA) will use $171,500 from the provincial government to support and promote local skilled trades careers.
Officials announced the funding at a residential construction site in Belleville last week.
The initiative includes the “One Stop Shop Skilled Trades” website and “Build Your Home in the Bay of Quinte” project to develop an online local resource for job seekers, employers and other stakeholders, promote trades careers and living and working in trades in the Quinte region.
QHBA Chief Executive Officer Ruth Estwick says with a shortage in tradespeople, especially in the construction industry, the project is meant to get people interested in the trades and change the perception on what it’s like to work in skilled trades.
“There’s definitely a tremendous shortage. The average age of a mason is 55, 56 years old. As those people retire, all of those jobs are going to open up. This is the start of the future of building, you know, the momentum of skilled trades in the region.”
The website is expected to be live by January 2022.
