As a skilled immigrant, you can benefit from the labor shortage that Canada is facing right now. Due to the crisis of labor in various skilled trades, Ontario is suffering more than any other province in Canada. The provincial government expects that this job vacancy in the skilled trades would be filled up by young people.
Reasons behind the Labour Shortage in Ontario
Various factors have led to this labor shortage. Most importantly, the global pandemic has intensified the situation even more. Moreover, the workforce in these trades is ageing and expected to retire which would worsen the situation.
There is a high demand for skilled workers as many more infrastructure projects are getting commissioned. However, many young people do not know, as Labour Minister Monte McNaughton said, that jobs in the trades also ensure a good salary, the security of a pension, and other benefits.
Also Read- Which place is better to settle in Canada
Vacant Jobs in the Trades
Due to this negative mindset towards jobs in the trades, the sector is lacking young people. For example, there were 200,000 vacant jobs in Ontario that were not fulfilled. More than 13,000 among these jobs were in the construction sector.
In the construction sector, the vacant jobs include electricians, mechanists, and technicians. Moreover, the service trades are seeking young people for positions of chefs, hairstylists, and many more.
According to a government report, by 2025, 20% of the jobs in the province will be in the skilled trades. However, the experts think the province would witness a shortage of 100,000 construction workers.
How is the Ontario Government Going to Tackle the Labour Shortage?
Ontario will spend $90 million in the upcoming three years to make the trades’ jobs more desirable to young people. There are going to be more incentives and other benefits for skilled workers. Moreover, the government is starting an apprenticeship program in the construction, industrial, mechanical, and other service trades.
Education Minister Stephen Lecce said that the labor shortage can be tackled by employing more high-schoolers. He said students are being prepared for highly skilled jobs in these industries. The government will spend $2.9 million to accommodate a program in which high school students will have first-hand experience of working in the industries. By participating in this program, the students will eventually move towards apprenticeships.
Moreover, the Ontario Yount Apprenticeship Program will annually spend $20 million. Right now, the program has 63 recruiters in about 800 schools. On top of that, $2 million will be spent on the annual trade career fairs all over the province.
These forward steps to tackle the labor shortage surely open new doors for skilled immigrants. Now, you can easily find and settle on jobs in the trades with security and other benefits.