By Sean Leslie

Filling the skilled trades gap: Putting PA students on the path to success

Jan 28, 2013 | 3:15 PM

Finding skilled tradesmen continues to be a problem for businesses across Saskatchewan. A recent report from the Conference Board of Canada forecasted a tight labour market in the province. In Prince Albert the situation is the same – more jobs than qualified people.

On one hand, a high level of job creation indicates a fast growing economy. However, “It definitely means that some companies may actually have to slow down or not take on as many projects because they don’t have the labour to match,” said Prince Albert Chamber of Commerce CEO Merle Lacert.

The Prince Albert Construction Association (PACA) has noticed the same thing. “Companies are usually cautious in the amount of work they’ll pursue because they know they may not be able to get people,” said PACA chairman David Thorpe. He added that a lot of projects in the province end up behind schedule because of a lack of manpower.

With so much money and productivity at stake, hiring standards are more relaxed than they used to be.

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As an owner and manager of a local building company, Thorpe has a ground level perspective of the construction employment market in Prince Albert. “Our industry isn’t looking for only skilled labourers, we’re willing to train. Our industry is set-up to train plumbers, electricians, roofers…,” said Thorpe.

Even if an applicant doesn’t have the necessary professional requirements, a solid employment history will get you in the door.

It’s no secret that companies in Saskatchewan need manpower and Thorpe believes that landing one of these jobs might be easier than people think.

“I’m surprised there aren’t more people using the old fashioned walk in and apply for a job and phone in and follow it up. We see very little of that. I would suggest that someone who did that would have a very good chance of landing a career in our industry,” he said.

If these jobs are numerous and attainable, then why aren’t more people from Saskatchewan taking advantage of these opportunities? Bruce Lynn of the Saskatchewan Rivers public school division is tackling that problem.

Positioning local kids to get the jobs

Lynn is the school and work coordinator and career coach for the division. He administers several programs aimed at getting kids from the Prince Albert area into the skilled trades.

He and David Thorpe run the PACA summer apprenticeship program which focuses on teaching skilled trades relating to construction. The goal is to recruit the top tier Grade 11 students. They are “looking for future site leaders, future foremen … long-term high-quality workers … the people that kind of take over down the road,” Lynn said.

The program has a successful track-record of developing skilled workers who stay in the industry. “Eighty per cent of the kids in the program continue working in the trades and a lot of them actually go back and work with the companies they were originally placed with,” said Lynn.

Schools and businesses working together

Lynn also works with other teachers and businesses running apprenticeship classes in Saskatchewan River high schools and finding placements for students with local businesses in the skilled trades. He also provides career coaching for Grade 11 and 12 students as far away as Big River and Meath Park.

In his talks with senior students, Lynn regularly hears interest in the skilled trades. Yet with all these programs in place and with all the job opportunities out there, the positions are still not being filled.

Lynn acknowledged that the reasons for this are complex, but when pressed, he boiled it down. “It’s motivation. There’s work out there and there’s jobs out there.”

There are unrealistic expectations that anyone with a pulse can step into a skilled-trades job, earn high wages and work wherever they want, said Lynn. He believes demystifying skilled labour is an important step in getting people into those positions.

The programs Bryan Lynn works on are made possible because the school system, government and local business community all realize that within this labour shortage problem lay an opportunity.

It would be beneficial to all parties if more young adults from Saskatchewan and Prince Albert can step into the many skilled and unskilled labour openings in the province.

The good news is that there are plenty of jobs and opportunities for young people. As David Thorpe said, applicants might do well applying for these jobs “the old- fashioned way.”

news@panow.com

On Twitter: @_seanleslie