IUOE Local 793 experts were on hand this week taking part in shaping the future of the trades and apprenticeship, as Skilled Trades Ontario put the finishing touches to its first three-year strategic plan.
IUOE Local 793 and OETIO were title sponsors of the event, entitled ‘Unleashing Ontario’s Potential.’
Labour Relations Manager Melissa Atkins-Mahaney and Director of Operations Ken Lew were joined at the Toronto Congress Centre by stakeholders from government, employers and unions. Together they discussed best practices, shared ideas and explored new opportunities to support and grow apprenticeships in the province.
Participants provided their input on the agency’s four key priorities:
- Support an innovative apprenticeship and certification model
- Promote and advance the skilled trades
- Modernize the skilled trades sector
- Build a diverse, equitable, inclusive skilled trades sector.
Minister of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development Monte McNaughton also took part as the minister responsible for Skilled Trades Ontario, which was created in 2021 as a successor to the Ontario College of Trades.
Skilled Trades Ontario CEO and registrar, Melissa Young, who opened the summit by thanking IUOE Local 793 and OETIO for being the first trade to respond to the invitation to sponsor this event, is well aware of the investment the Union has made in apprenticeship training having toured the OETIO campus in Oakville in January.
