Skilled tradespeople are in high demand
25% of Canada’s four million tradespeople will need to upgrade their skills within five years amid significant digital disruption.
Canada’s workforce will see a 10,000-worker deficit in 56 nationally recognized Red Seal trades over the next five years.
According to the Canadian Apprenticeship Forum, an average of around 75,000 new apprentices will need to be hired per year in the next five years to meet the demand for skilled journeypersons in Red Seal trades. The Red Seal Program is a program that sets common standards to assess the skills of tradespeople across Canada. Individuals who have successfully passed the Red Seal examination receive a Red Seal endorsement on their trade certificate. The Red Seal indicates that a tradesperson has demonstrated the knowledge required for the national standard in that trade.
It’s clear from the numbers above that skilled tradespeople are in high demand across Canada. Several challenges have been identified as contributing to the problem. While different trades are experiencing problems more specific to them, there are some general challenges facing trades across the board.
What are the top challenges?
Skills shortage
One of the significant challenges is the scarcity of skilled employees in various trades. Companies are struggling to find qualified individuals who have the necessary expertise and experience to meet industry demands. This shortage has an impact on the overall productivity and growth of the trades.
Aging workforce
More than 700,000 workers in the skilled trades are expected to retire by 2028, creating a significant gap in the labour market. Leaders now face the challenge of finding ways to attract and retain younger workers to replace the retiring workforce. This is itself a challenge as the stigma of skilled trades being blue-collar work and not as desirable, persists. This loss of experienced workers without sufficient replacements undermines the continuity and knowledge transfer within the industry.
Evolving technology and skills
Rapid technological advancements in various trades mean ongoing upskilling and training for existing workers is necessary. Leaders face the challenge of ensuring that association members have access to relevant training programs and resources to keep up with changing industry demands. Adapting to new technologies and developing specialized skills can be costly and time-consuming for both workers and associations.
How can these challenges be addressed?
Addressing these pain points requires collaborative efforts among trade associations, industry stakeholders, educational institutions, and government bodies. Strategies such as promoting trades as attractive career options, expanding apprenticeship opportunities, investing in skills development programs, and bridging the gap between academia and industry can help alleviate these challenges and ensure a skilled workforce.
At Enable Education we tackle the tough technical challenges faced by tradespeople by creating learning that motivates them to complete their training and develop their skills. Using experiential learning strategies like gamification immerses employees in the learning and offers a safe environment to practice skills. For industries where hands-on learning is critical for skills development, gamified learning and simulations offer a virtual alternative.
The stereotype of skilled trades as “blue-collar” jobs involving heavy, physical work persists. Attracting the next generation of journeypersons is an ongoing focus for the Red Seal Trades and fun, interactive, and engaging experiences are a great way to introduce high school kids to different trades and break the stigma around the skilled trades.
If you’re seeking innovative solutions to bridge the skills gap and attract a wider pool of workers, we invite you to schedule a call with us today. Our team is eager to share how gamification and experiential learning can transform your workforce, ensuring your employees acquire and master essential skills while staying motivated!
