Employers Open Doors to Apprenticeship Education
Workforce WindsorEssex organizes Test Drive Day for 800+ students today
For Immediate Release
March 5, 2019
Windsor, ON – Workforce WindsorEssex, the region’s Local Employment Planning Council (LEPC), partnered with employers, unions, St. Clair College, and area school boards to host Test Drive Day: a series of tours for students intended to promote apprenticeships and careers in the skilled trades.
This year 812 students from local school boards will tour at least one of 18 locations as part of the daylong initiative designed to address the skilled labour shortage, connect industry to classroom learning, dispel myths about a career in the skilled trades, and help ensure the future supply of skilled labour in our region.
The employers and training organizations welcoming student tours today are: Anchor Danly, St. Clair College’s Skilled Trades Regional Training Centre, St. Clair College, Essex Golf and Country Club, Windsor-Detroit Bridge Authority, Best Western – Leamington, LIUNA! Local 625, Carpenter’s Union Local 494, Gorski Bulk and Transport, Provincial Chrysler, Reliance Home Comfort, Peter Anthony Designs, Laval, Valiant TMS (at four locations), and Ironworkers Union Local 700.
All students will receive a printed copy of the new Career Guide for the Skilled Trades in Windsor-Essex, listing the region’s top 26 in-demand skilled trades jobs in construction, motive power, industrial, and service, as well as information on how to get hired. Other initiatives undertaken by Workforce WindsorEssex to promote careers in the skilled trades include the launch of 4 new skilled trades videos, a facebook group for women working (and considering working) in the skilled trades, skilled trades workforce profiles, and improvments to WEexplore careers so users can navigate apprenticeship pathways.
QUOTES:
“Young people are critical to addressing skilled labour shortages for our region, and Test Drive Day helps students get on-the-job to experience the exciting careers that await them in the skilled trades. By inspiring students today we are building tomorrow’s skilled workforce.”
- Michelle Suchiu, Executive Director, Workforce WindsorEssex
QUICK FACTS
- This year marks the first time Workforce WindsorEssex has organized Test Drive Day
- According to the 2016 census, 7% of Windsor-Essex population has a trades certificate as their highest level of education (Ontario average is 6%).
- About 1 in 5 people who hold a trades certificate as their highest level of education are female.
- A jobseeker needs to find an employer/union sponsor in order to register as an apprentice in Ontario.
- There are four ministry-approved Apprenticeship Training Delivery Agencies (in-class training) in Windsor-Essex, including the:
- United Association of Plumbers / Steamfitters Local 527
- Ironworkers Local 700
- LIUNA! Local 625
- Clair College
QUICK LINKS
- To learn more about how Workforce WindsorEssex is supporting Skilled Trades locally visit: workforcewindsoressex.com/trades
- The community can use the new WEmap jobs tool to find employment, training and other related services at workforcewindsoressex.com/wemap-jobs
- To learn more about the Local Employment Planning Council and view our current and past projects visit workforcewindsoressex.com/lepc
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Media Contact:
Justin Falconer
Senior Director
Workforce WindsorEssex
226-674-3220 ext 854
jfalconer@workforcewindsoressex.com