Step Up and Succeed

The need for more workers in the skilled trades in Ontario is well-known. In their media release about the launching of Skilled Trades Ontario, the Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development states that by 2025, one in five jobs will be in the trades. Unfortunately, the number of people are beginning their journey into the skilled trades is lower than needed, and apprenticeship completion rates (the number of people who complete their apprenticeship and become fully certified journey people) is also low.

The economic impact of this shortage of skilled trades workers causes a ripple effect across the province as sectors in high demand such as construction, manufacturing (including electronic vehicle production, infrastructure development and the service sector) are unable to live up to their potential. Small businesses are disproportionately impacted, as they struggle to compete with larger businesses that can offer in-house human resources and training, higher wages and benefits to attract and retain the limited skilled trades talent that is available.

It's clear we must all work towards a solution to this issue, and Literacy Link South Central's Step Up and Succeed initiative aims to be part of that solution. Our work will offer a multifaceted approach to strengthening the skilled trades in Ontario by supporting different yet critical elements, stakeholders and system partners. We support

Employers in the skilled trades

Recognizing that when employers sponsor an apprentice they assume a significant amount of responsibility for training them, we're developing an online resource hub to share tools, tips and easy-to-use forms and templates. These resources will help employers build their capacity to develop trainers and supervisors, and successfully coach staff through each level of an apprenticeship while responding to their unique, individualized needs. To further support employers, LLSC is developing a province wide ‘road show’ to share resources and promising practices that other employers have used to build their skilled trades workforce, including attraction of under-represented people in the skilled trades.

Pre-apprenticeship and Apprenticeship Training Delivery Agents (TDAs)

Through a series of outreach efforts, LLSC is supporting the development of partnerships between TDAs and Ontario's LBS system. We are doing this by gathering best practices from those already collaborating, and outlining paths for establishing mutually beneficial partnerships. The results of our research will be shared through a webinar, and delivered through virtual and in-person information sessions at various locations across the province.

Ontario’s Literacy and Basic Skills (LBS) system

LLSC is creating an LBS Network toolkit and training to help LBS programs build their capacity to support learners considering a career in the skilled trades, currently attending pre-apprenticeship programs, and working their way through their training as signed apprentices. With these new resources, including an overview of the current apprenticeship system in Ontario, adult upgrading programs will have a more fulsome understanding of resources they can use with learners preparing to enter or to improve their ability to successfully complete an apprenticeship. 

Provincial organizations that support apprenticeship and the skilled trades

While partnerships and information sharing at the local level is beneficial, by working at a provincial level we feel we can truly create positive changes. Through connections with provincial apprenticeship organizations like Skilled Trades Ontario and others, we're discussing the deeper integration of LBS into the broader provincial landscape.

We're excited to share the good work that can be done by increasing collaboration between Ontario's adult literacy system, multiple apprenticeship-focused organizations and employers. Through these partnerships, apprentices, employers in the skilled trades, Training Delivery Agents, unions, and the LBS system can benefit, leading to better outcomes for apprentices across Ontario.

Visit our Step Up and Succeed website for more information: https://sites.google.com/view/step-up-succeed/