CREATING DIVERSITY AND CAREER OPPORTUNITIES
IN THE SKILLED TRADES

Ottawa, January 27, 2011 - The Canadian Apprenticeship Forum-Forum canadien sur l’apprentissage (CAF-FCA) sought to identify ways to replicate success and reduce barriers in connecting diverse workers with employers in the skilled trades.  Based on the eight case studies, the following promising practices emerged as common elements amongst the programs:

• Effective Partnerships with Employers and Industry: In every case, an extensive network of partnerships was required to sustain the programs and make them successful.
• Allow individuals to gain work experience:  Job placement was often mentioned as the most important feature of the programs.
• Address Personal Barriers:  Assisting individuals with family issues, housing, language training and settlement issues helped individuals remove personal barriers and enabled them to focus on upgrading their skills and developing their careers.
• Offer Individualized Help:  Help specific to the person’s situation and access to a counsellor were useful services.
• Offer Services or Incentives to Employers:
  • Employers noted that access to prepared candidates was an important advantage in recruiting and contributed to their success in being able to integrate and retain new workers.  Employers appreciated that they received individuals through these programs who had already been exposed to career planning, skills upgrading and life skills management.  The individuals generally had a realistic idea of what it would be like to work in the trade.
  • Employers liked having someone at the organization they could contact if they ran into difficulties or needed information.
  • Providing wage subsidies or promoting existing tax credits further encouraged employer participation.
  • Continual promotion and communication to employers about the value of the programs was also important.

To learn more about the programs and organizations that connect diverse individuals with employers in the skilled trades, or to see the full report, visit www.caf-fca.org.

For more information:
Emily Arrowsmith ,
Project Manager
613-235-4004 ext. 201
emily_arrowsmith@caf-fca.org
http://www.caf-fca.org