Skilled Calgary: preparing to meet our talent needs

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Skilled Calgary 200906Table 4 – Calgary Employment in WorldSkills 2009 CategoriesWorldSkills Category Calgary Employment (2008)Transportation & Logistics 5,900Construction & Building Technology 21,100Manufacturing & Engineering Technology 9,100Information & Communication Technology 5,700Creative Arts & Fashion 1,800Social & Personal Sciences 45,600Total Employed 89,200Source: Statistics CanadaThe shortage of people with vocational trainingthat spurred WorldSkills into existence in 1947is not so different 60 years later – Canada,along with other WorldSkills member nations,is still experiencing a shortage of skilled workers.Employers around the globe report significantdifficulties finding skilled trades.According to Manpower’s annual talent shortagesurvey, in both 2008 and 2009, skilled trades werethe top positions going unfilled.It is estimated that over the next twodecades, 40 per cent of new jobs willbe in skilled trades and technologies,and considering that in 1998, thisnumber was less that 20 per cent,Canada will have a serious challengein meeting these skills needs. ”Our local workforce is anticipated to grow ata much slower rate than in the past, and ourfuture labour supply is widely expected to beinadequate to meet the demands of the economy.Already, shortages are occurring in many skilledtrades, including the plumbing and constructiontrades, and the Conference Board of Canadaforecasts a shortfall of nearly one millionworkers for Canada overall within 20 years. Aworldwide underinvestment and devaluation ofthe development of trades and technical talent inrecent decades further emphasizes the need toinvest now if we are to be ahead of the loomingbaby boomer retirement bubble.
Skilled Calgary 200907Lifestyle Facts and FictionThere are a variety of lifestyle benefits to choosinga career in skilled trades and technical vocations.Generally speaking, workers in these occupationsare well-educated and well-paid; the work theydo requires expertise and creativity; there isopportunity for advancement and specialization,as well as the chance to own their own businessand be their own boss; and workers expressa high degree of satisfaction with their careerchoice. These benefits are often overlooked asthere are also a variety of misconceptions thatprevent young people from entering into this typeof career. Trades and technical careers are oftenseen as a “last resort” career by students, parentsand teachers, when in fact they are demanding,satisfying, well paying occupations that are inhigh demand.Fiction: Skilled trades and technical careersare options for students who do not do wellacademically or aren’t cut out for university.Fact: In order to become askilled tradesperson, a strongacademic foundation is required.Apprenticeship programs in mostof the designated trades are 3to 4 years in length and acrossCanada almost 7 in 10 workersin the trades in 2007 had at leastsome post-secondary education.While training, approximately 80 per cent of anapprentice’s time is spent on the job under theguidance of a certified journeyperson or qualifiedtradesperson, who are experts within their fields.The remaining 20 per cent involves technicaltraining provided at, or through, a post-secondaryestablishment, be it a college or technical institute.The journeymen I apprenticed withare the reason I’m here. ”– Craig Spady,Team Canada member and SAIT student,competing at WorldSkills Calgary 2009 inElectrical InstallationsWhile training, students learn the most recenttechniques and use the newest technologicalequipment required to succeed in all aspects oftheir trade. Additionally, apprentices have to sitthrough rigorous tests and meet high standardsof quality in order to be certified. In addition,graduates from these programs are very satisfiedwith the quality of training they receive.In the 2007-2008 academic year, over 57,000full-time and part-time students were enrolled atAlberta’s two major institutes of technology (SAITPolytechnic in Calgary and NAIT in Edmonton).And, once they graduate from their training,apprentices and skilled tradespeople have agood chance of finding employment – at SAITPolytechnic, the graduate employment rate is99 per cent and NAIT graduates have a placementrate of 95 per cent. Much of this is due to the factthat the training that these graduates receive, alongwith those who attend the other eight degreegrantingcolleges and institutes across Alberta, isheavily linked with industry advisory groups. Forthe most part, curriculum development at theseinstitutions is supported by partnerships with localbusinesses and industry in an effort to ensure that
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