‘This is a made-in-B.C. solution to ensure confidence that a highly skilled workforce is behind our recovery’
British Columbia is launching a certification system meant to support higher-paying, more stable work for trades workers.
In 2003, the province eliminated the compulsory trades credentialing system. This removed 11 compulsory trades and prescribed journeyperson-to-apprentice ratios.
The new skilled trades certification will increase prestige for the trades and help attract more people to trades careers, according to the government, says the government. Certification will also formally recognize the skills of current and future trades workers, helping them keep working as the economy and industry’s needs shift over time.
“Skilled tradespeople are building B.C., especially with the largest infrastructure investment in our province’s history already underway,” says 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.”
Recently, B.C. launched a COVID-19 safety certificate program for workers in the tourism and hospitality sectors with hopes it will increase consumer confidence as businesses start to return to more normal operations.
Implementation of the new program will start with 10 trades:
- 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.
Once implemented, individuals in these 10 trades will be required to either be a certified journeyperson or a registered apprentice to work.
The government will also be working with industry to introduce journeyperson to apprentice ratios for each of the 10 trades, as in every other province. Key supports will be identified to support people during the transition to full certification. This will help ensure high standards of supervision, safety and quality training for apprentices, according to the government.
Welcome development
B.C. is the only province without compulsory trades, tweeted Melanie Mark, minister of tourism, arts, culture and sport.
“As the former minister of #AEST (advanced education and skills training) I’m so thrilled to see that change is coming! Building BC takes skilled tradespeople. It’s all about people!”
The Automotive Retailers Association (ARA) also welcomed the development.
“This is one of the biggest breakthroughs we’ve ever been a part of as the association representing the automotive sector,” says Adrian Scovell, ARA president and CEO. “By elevating the status of the automotive trades, more young professionals will be attracted to the industry, ensuring a skilled workforce for the future, and recognizing technicians’ skills so they can access good-paying, stable employment. A skilled trades certification system will restore respect for trades, put the ‘skill’ back in ‘skilled trades’ and, with it, respect for skilled trades people.”
Consultations
The government will also hold an online survey, roundtables, community dialogues and discussions with the Industry Training Authority, the parliamentary secretary for skills training and staff from the Ministry of Advanced Education and Skills Training as it seeks input on key aspects of implementing skilled trades certification, including:
- helping support current workers to become certified while standardizing skills at a high level
- identifying and creating implementation supports for employers during economic recovery
- creating multiple pathways to completion for all workers, so no one is left behind.
B.C. will also consult with apprentices, trades workers, small to large employers and Indigenous peoples, as well as asking for insight from women, new Canadians and other groups critical to growing the trades workforce about their experiences.
Nearly six in 10 (57 per cent) of Canadian workers are willing to reskill to get into a new career, according to a report released in March.
Roughly 73,000 job openings are expected in the trades in B.C. by 2029. With 77 per cent of these openings replacing retiring trades workers, skilled trades certification will help ensure the success of the individuals who will fill these roles, while continuing to build prestige around trades for those already working in them, according to the government.
