The government wants to break down barriers and make the career more accessible
The Ontario government has announced that it will provide free training and paid apprenticeships for interested applicants who want to get employed or are looking for bigger sources of income. The apprenticeships will be focused on the skills training need to be an electrician, covered completely by the government after investing over $13 million for the initiative.
A portion of the budget will be allocated to the Ontario Electrical Industry Training Trust Fund, which is delivering two of the projects that will help apprentices qualify to become an electrician. This includes training on safety, best practices for installation and other crucial skills needed to for electricians.
"At the end of the programme, participants will be offered employment as the first step toward securing well-paying, meaningful careers to build better lives for themselves and their families," the Ontario government said in a media release.
It added that it seeks to encourage more employers to hire apprentices and promote the electrical trades to underrepresented populations. To do this, the government said a portion of the government's investment will go to financial incentives to businesses that will hire more apprentices in their companies.
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"When you have a job as an electrician, you have an in-demand job for life," said Labour Minister McNaughton in a statement. "I continue to hear from students and parents who don't know how to enter this incredible field – which can pay over $50 an hour."
According to McNaughton, the investment over the projects aim to break down the barriers and guide young people to a career on the skilled trades.
Government data revealed that construction electricians are earning an average of $34.32 per hour in 2021, industrial electricians $36.12, electrical powerline and cable workers $38.90, and power systems electricians $47.21.
The investment in the industry comes as the province suffers from a shortage of electricians and other skilled trades workers, as government data underscored the need to replace retiring workers in the skilled trades.
A shortage on the workforce could hamper the government's promises to deliver critical hospitals, schools, and roads on time.
