Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, skilled tradespeople have been critical to essential sectors, and the demand for skilled tradespeople is expected to remain high over the next 10 years as Canada’s economy recovers. The most recent projections estimate about 700,000 skilled trades workers are expected to retire between 2019 and 2028, creating an ever-growing need to recruit and train thousands more.
The Government of Canada is hoping to help fill that gap by launching an advertising campaign to promote the skilled trades as a strong first-choice career path. The campaign will reach youth and young adults through popular social media platforms, websites, campus billboards, public transit and national broadcast media.
Also launched as part of this campaign is Canada.ca/skilled-trades, a comprehensive website that offers a one-stop national source for information about the skilled trades. The site will help young Canadians learn about the more than 300 skilled trades in Canada, including the construction sector and the Red Seal trade designation.
“Canada’s workforce needs more skilled trade workers. They have expertise and skills that are essential to our economy and our way of life,” said Carla Qualtrough, Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Disability Inclusion. “When Canadians are contemplating a new career, we want them to consider entering the skilled trades and to understand the exciting, well-paying opportunities that they present.”