To provide a national strategy for a comprehensive professional development program to include training for every working member, business and training representative in our organization to include Apprenticeship, Safety, Education, PostJourney, Computer training courses and Specialty Training programs to every classification of worker we represent in the building trades construction industry.

Public Perception

Union training centers and their involvement regarding trades training funding, trade advisory committees, codes and standards committees are not clearly understood by government, industry, or the general public. Policy changes inconsistent with industry's needs can create challenges for clients, owners, contractors, as well as workers and their families.

Goals

• Providing skilled workers with employment
• Development and delivery of specialized training
• Upgrading skills of ageing workforce
• Creating new opportunities for Apprentices
• Promoting apprenticeship and skills training
• Development and recognition of trades certification

Challenges

• Technological change
• Funding for training programs (federal and provincial government sources)
• Inflexibility of government offices (policies regarding training)
• Recognition of Tradespersons as deserving of respect by government officials
• Sufficient government funding for programs
  ( ie: realistic per diems)
• Unrealistic expectations by government of course outcomes
  ( ie: job guarantee at conclusion of program)
• Getting workers through “red tape” of different departments of government to gain access to funding

• Offsetting sudden policy changes which can cause hardship for working people and their families
• Public recognition of the unique nature of union schools
• Promote an understanding of the construction industry

Needs

• Recognition and support of the role of union training centers in providing specialized training to industry
• Flexibility to deliver specialty courses as needed by industry on sometimes very short notice
• Reduction of red tape and approval times for
  prospective students with a streamlining of HRSDC/Service Canada policies
• Realistic Trade Qualifier policies that meet industry needs and the needs of workers trying to better
  their employability
• Apprenticeship Enhancement Training: Apprentices who have completed their apprenticeship training and have an appropriate number of hours of work experience (to be determined by each trade) need to be eligible to avail of specialized training.
• Industry training for union-recognized non-apprenticeable trades classifications
• Reassessment of industry’s needs with respect
  to training through a review of the National
  Occupational Analysis
• To work collectively with government departments to access funding for training program development
  and delivery, and to work to change regulations
  and policies that adversely affect building trades
  training program delivery
• To ensure that a proactive approach is used towards delivery of necessary training for industry's needs
  well in advance of project start dates by working with contractors, employers, and government
• To ensure that workers are trained for new technology that is part of the workplace with up to date curriculum, programs, and equipment

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