Completion Counts

Katherine JacobsDirector of Research & Operations

Ontario Construction Secretariat

Canadian Construction Industry … A Leader in Employment Growth

Demand for Construction Workers

252,000 workers are required in Canada’s construction sector over the next decade

They anticipate attracting an estimated 152,000 first-time new entrants from Canada’s population

This leave a gap of 100,000 workers

In ONTARIO, the gap is 40,000 workers

Source: BuildForce Canada, Construction Looking Forward, 2014 -2023

ResearchCanadian Construction Industry…Unemployment Rates Near Record Low

ResearchTrades in Demand

Source: BuildForce Canada, Construction Looking Forward, 2014 -2023

• Boilermakers• Construction Millwrights• Electricians• Floor Covering

Installers• Glaziers• Painters & Decorators

• Plasterers / Drywall Installers

• Plumbers• Refrigeration & AC

Mechanics• Roofers & Shinglers• Tilesetters

ResearchConstruction Apprenticeship …. An Opportunity

”Ontario’s apprenticeship system is a key part of building the well-educated and highly skilled

workforce the Province needs to compete in the current and future economy.” Ontario Budget 2012

ResearchConstruction Apprentice Profile

• Average age of a starting apprentice is 27• 40% of apprentices have children• Half of apprentices have had more than three

jobs prior to registering• Half of registered apprentices were not aware

of their current program when they were in high school

…No longer a transition from school to work

Source: Statistics Canada, National Apprenticeship Survey, 2007

What We Wanted to Know

Objectives:

1. Document joint labour/management contributions to training and apprenticeship

2. Determine completion rates for union and non-union apprentices

ResearchIncreasing Union Role

95 Training Centers

39 Training Delivery Agents

$260 million capital investment

$40 million annually from training contributions

ResearchIncreasing Role of Union

2000-01 2001-02 2002-03 2003-04 2004-05 2005-06 2006-07 2007-08 2008-09 2009-10 2010-11 2011-120

500

1,000

1,500

2,000

2,500

3,000

3,500

4,000

1,271

1,860

2,1362,321

2,441

2,775

3,1923,365

3,537 3,561 3,531 3,626

Apprenticeship Enrollment at Union/Employer Train-ing Centres

185% increase since 2001

ResearchUnique Apprenticeship Initiative

Safety Training & Skills Development

Expert Coaching & Mentoring

Creating Apprenticeship & Career Opportunities

Achieving Goals & Dreams

ResearchRegistrations Increase…Yet Completions Lag

ResearchWhy are Completion Rates Low?

ResearchMeasuring Completion Rates

Notional Completion Rate :

The number of apprentices that complete in a given year, as a share of the number of new registrants in a prior year, lagged by the prescribed duration of the respective program

Measuring Completion Rates

Number of Completions in

2008

Number of new Registrations in

20042003 2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009Time

Notional rate is 50%

Program duration4 years

ResearchCompulsory Trades More Likely to Complete

ResearchLooking at Union / Non-Union

MTCU data allows a direct comparison of notional completion rates for four compulsory trades:

1.Sheet Metal Workers

2.Plumbers

3.Steamfitters

4.Electricians

ResearchGreater Union Success

ResearchUnion Supports for Apprentices Screening procedures and pre-requisites

Financial support for apprentices, especially for tuition

Remedial training for apprentices (math and literacy)

Mentoring and counselling

Workplace experience with multiple employers

Supplementary training to enrich apprenticeship training above the provincial standards

Refresher training prior to the C of Q examination

ResearchPolicy Issues & Outcomes

Focus attention on completions

Utilize investment and know-how in union / employer training facilities

Implement apprenticeship requirements on all government procured construction projects to help create more opportunities

Infrastructure Ontario (IO) to implement apprenticeship requirements on government procured construction projects

ResearchKey Takeaway Messages

Increasing enrolment in apprenticeship viewed as means for addressing the need for skilled workers

Investment in apprenticeship enhances innovation, productivity and social development

However, completion rates are low

ResearchKey Takeaway Messages

Joint labour/employer training trusts have found the key to raising completions rates and building the skilled workforce

Opportunity for all levels of government to embrace and support apprenticeship through procurement practices

Please visit our website at: www.iciconstruction.com

Questions