The skilled trades have long been ignored and under-valued in society. This article explores the potential problem with maintaining the status quo and the impacts it will have on future generations. It considers the steps educational institutions and leaders can make in addressing the skilled trades shortage and how changes to the current…

The Student Outcomes surveys include a series of questions that focus on the specific skills acquired by former students. Many of the skills are employability skills. The former students who responded to the Student Outcomes surveys were very likely to say their institutions helped them develop skills and that those skills were useful for…

The Skills and Training Plan (announced September 2012) projects that there will be nearly one million job openings between 2012 and 2020 in British Columbia. Of these openings, 43 percent will need trades and technical training. It is anticipated that there will be a cumulative gap of 22,000 to 32,000 technical and trades workers in the province.…

The graduate of the Floorcovering Installer apprenticeship program is a certified journeyperson who will be able: (1) Use efficiently and safely all hand and power operated equipment used by the Journeyperson Floorcovering Installer; (2) Read and interpret drawings in relation to the trade requirement. Estimate quantities of materials required and…

The graduate of the Bricklayer apprenticeship training is a journeyperson who will be able to: (1) responsibly do all work tasks expected of a journeyperson; (2) supervise, train and coach apprentices; (3) produce a better quality product than the minimum acceptable by industry standard; (4) use and maintain tools and equipment to the standards of…

Students at Courtice Secondary School, near Oshawa (Canada), learn trowel trades, among others, while building a Building Construction annex for their school. (Author)

A survey of Local 343-United Brotherhood of Carpenters & Joiners of America and the Manitoba Construction Labour Relations Association, Manitoba, determined the critical, essential, and important workplace skills of carpenters. A survey instrument was developed and mailed to 438 active members of Local 343; 110 surveys were completed and…

The Environmental Improvement Project at Hudson Bay Mining and Smelting in Flin Flon, Manitoba, presented a unique opportunity for field observation and assessment. Field observation of the approximately 70 carpenters employed with various companies provided information on the types of communication used and the circumstances in which the…

This analysis covers tasks performed by a bricklayer, an occupational title some provinces and territories of Canada have also identified as bricklayer-mason, brick and stone mason, and mason. A guide to analysis discusses development, structure, and validation method; scope of the occupation; trends; and safety. To facilitate understanding the…

A project of Local 343 of the United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners of America and the Construction Labour Relations Association (CLRA) of Manitoba documented the workplace literacy skills needed by union carpenters on job sites in Manitoba. The following techniques were used: mailed questionnaires to the carpenter members of Local 343 and…

A basic skills needs assessment developed a picture of the basic skills levels and needs of the construction industry in British Columbia and the Yukon. The three parts of the assessment were interviews with business managers and managers of other programs provided through joint labor/management initiatives, a questionnaire administered to…

This analysis covers tasks performed by a lather, an occupational title some provinces and territories of Canada have also identified as drywall and acoustical mechanic; interior systems installer; and interior systems mechanic. A guide to analysis discusses development, structure, and validation method; scope of the occupation; trends; and…

This analysis covers tasks performed by a painter and decorator, an occupational title some provinces and territories of Canada have also identified as painter and painter and decorator--commercial and residential. A guide to analysis discusses development, structure, and validation method; scope of the occupation; trends; and safety. To…

These training standards for native residential construction workers are intended to be used by apprentice/trainees, instructors, and companies in Ontario, Canada, as a blueprint for training or as a prerequisite for prerequisite for accreditation/certification. The training standards identify skills required for this occupation and its related…

This document presents information about the apprenticeship training program of Alberta, Canada, in general and the cabinetmaking program in particular. The first part of the document discusses the following items: Alberta's apprenticeship and industry training system; the apprenticeship and industry training committee structure; local…