Last week, the Ontario government introduced new measures to help tradespeople get their certification from one reliable, streamlined destination through a new Crown agency — Skilled Trades Ontario (STO) — that would replace the Ontario College of Trades (OCOT).
On May 6th, Monte McNaughton, Minister of Labour, Training and Skills Development, introduced the Building Opportunities in the Skilled Trades Act, legislation designed to make the province’s skilled trades and apprenticeship system more efficient, accessible and easier to navigate.
Under the proposed legislation, Skilled Trades Ontario would become the province’s industry-informed training authority to lead the promotion, research and development of the latest apprenticeship training and curriculum standards. It will also provide a seamless “one-window” experience for client-facing services including apprentice registration, issuance of certificates and renewals, and conduct equivalency assessments all in one place with many services offered digitally.
As recommended by the Skilled Trades Panel’s first report, Ontario will streamline and simplify the apprenticeship system by establishing a new Crown agency. The Ministry will provide system oversight and be responsible for regulatory decisions, financial supports and take on responsibility for compliance and enforcement of the skilled trades, building on existing expertise, best practices and a robust inspector network that is already in place across the province.
“We heard loud and clear from apprentices, journeypersons and employers alike that OCOT is not working,” said Minister McNaughton. “Following our expert Panel’s recommendations, we are taking a thoughtful and measured approach by launching Skilled Trades Ontario, a new agency that will put the trades first.”
These initiatives are part of the government’s Skilled Trades Strategy, which includes reducing the stigma related to a trade’s career, simplifying the apprenticeship system, and encouraging business participation.
HRAI has been fully engaged in the consultations that led to this legislation, and will be monitoring the passage and roll-out of the Act and regulations that will follow. HRAI has obtained some early details on how the new system will function and is pleased to report that many of the concerns and recommendations that were brought to the Skilled Trades Panel in Phase 1 of their consultations are reflected in the proposed new legislation. Details on the proposed new system will be share soon.
As previously reported, the Skilled Trades Panel, which includes Chair Michael Sherrard and industry representatives Jason Ottey, Melanie Winter, Shaun Scott and Melissa Young, just recently began consulting on Phase 2 of its mandate, which will focus on classification and training in the trades. HRAI will take part in those discussions but members wishing to take part on their own can visit: https://www.ontario.ca/page/skilled-trades-panel-consultations.
For more information, contact Chelsea Goberdhan at 1-800-267-2231 ext. 236 or email cgoberdhan@hrai.ca.