April 9, 2008

Canadian colleges team up with Construction Sector Council to develop training programs

VINCE VERSACE

staff writer

The recent partnership forged between the Construction Sector Council (CSC) and Canadian community colleges is a key step in preparing for future skilled labour shortages, say officials from both groups.

“This partnership is just a part of responding to the bigger picture out there which is about focusing on training at all colleges and training centres,” says George Gritziotis, executive director of the CSC.

CSC has signed a partnership agreement with the Association of Canadian Community Colleges (ACCC) so both parties can collaborate to make the right training available to develop the next generation of skilled workers.

Last year, the CSC’s Labour Market Information Program identified a need to replace 152,000 skilled workers who will be retiring over the next 10 years.

“It [the partnership] is a perfect fit,” says James Knight, president of the ACCC.

“CSC has the data that shows what training is needed, when and where. [We] can make that training a reality. And together we will work on marketing.”

Some Canadian colleges have been using CSC data already to help plan expansion to their facilities and programs to meet future training needs.

Joining CSC data with schools and training centres offering construction training will provide “some horsepower and spotlight” to the need to increase training needs and capacity, says Gritziotis.

“Trades training is key to the future of the industry, to the future of our economy,” Gritziotis says.

CSC is also interested in exploring e-learning opportunities with ACCC and its member colleges. The Construction Sector Council houses an e-learning centre with four existing courses and plans to develop nine more.

“We hope to provide courses that support existing college offerings and meet new and emerging industry needs, such as supervision, for example,” adds Gritziotis.

ACCC strives to increase the responsiveness of colleges and institutes to sectoral labour need and believes the agreement with the CSC is a step in the right direction, explains Knight.

“Construction has been a highly successful Canadian industry, but it is now hampered by a critical shortage of skilled labour,” says Knight. “Colleges and institutes must find the means to meet these needs.”

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