MBOT - Review of the Skilled Trades in the Secondary School System

Review of the Skilled Trades in the Secondary School System

Prepared by Mississauga Board of Trade | www.mbot.com

Introduction The Mississauga Board of Trade (MBOT), established in 1961, is the voice of business in the City of Mississauga. MBOT connects, champions and advances the best interest of local business and has an important advocacy role on issues of concern to the business community.

The Human Resources Committee of MBOT wanted to know more about how the skilled trades were being promoted, encouraged and taught in the secondary school system given the tremendous need for skilled trades in today’s workforce.

Meetings and discussions were held with all four School Boards in the greater Mississauga area to learn more about what exactly is being done in Mississauga high schools. The Peel District School Board, Dufferin-Peel Catholic District School Board, Conseil Scolaire de district Catholique Centre-sud and Conseil Scolaire Viamonde all participated. A further meeting was held at West Credit Secondary School on their Regional Skilled Trades program.

The results including follow-up discussions and recommendations are captured in this report.

Contents Introduction

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Promoting the Skilled Trades as Careers

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Recommendations

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Teaching Skilled Trades in Secondary Schools

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Recommendations

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Co-operative Education and Apprenticeship Programs

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Recommendations

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Future Steps

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Promoting the Skilled Trades as Careers There was universal agreement that the promotion of careers in the skilled trades is poor and that there remains a perception generally but particularly with parents that careers in the skilled trades are not positive. There is a profound lack of understanding about what the skilled trades are, how they are performed now with the advancement of technology, robotics and computerization and the work involved and pay in these professions.

Recommendations That the Provincial Government sponsor a high-profile advertising campaign directed at both the general public and parents in particular on the value and importance of the skilled trades in Ontario at the Secondary School level.

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That local schools ensure there is a free-flow of information between Guidance Counsellors and Educators teaching skilled trades courses.

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That the Ministry of Education review existing programs and materials such as the Blueprint and prepare better materials for Guidance Counsellors and Teachers for both parents and students to ensure equal promotion of skilled trades as careers in Ontario.

The Skilled Trades Professions and Associations/Unions should be present at the annual Conference for Guidance Counsellors and Teacher Professional Development Days to talk about student skilled trades opportunities.

The Government of Ontario, Trades Associations, businesses and others should better embrace social media as a means to get good information out to students about careers and opportunities in the skilled trades.

Teaching Skilled Trades in Secondary Schools MBOT was very impressed with the enthusiasm shown in all of its meetings with the School Boards for the teaching of skilled trades in Secondary Schools. The Boards have developed specialty programs and in many cases recruited teachers with professional acumen in these trades in order to teach relevantly to the students.

Classrooms are fairly well equipped to teach the various disciplines but sometimes lack appropriate space and machinery necessary to fully teach the skill. Outside expertise would be helpful from time to time to ensure that what is being taught is fully relevant to industry conditions and needs.

Some legislative and regulatory rules inhibit the full and proper teaching of certain skills as does class size, configuration and materials.

Recommendations That the Ministry of Education provide flexibility on class size to local School Boards as it relates to classes in skilled trades.

Only small class sizes are effective to ensure proper Teacher-Student ratios, configure a room properly for equipment and safely supervise all work.

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That the Ministry of Education ensure that School Boards have the budget and resources to obtain the proper, up-to-date equipment to teach skilled trades. The Ministry should encourage companies to donate equipment to the schools and be eligible for a tax receipt for the donation.

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That the Ministry of Education allow for the engagement of outside skilled trade expertise to teach segments of classes where this involvement is either warranted or required. The School Boards should be able to compensate these instructors working along with the designated Teacher for the class.

That the Ministry of Education should provide capital funding to School Boards wishing to build or expand suitable space at schools for skilled trades classrooms. As these are typically larger spaces with expensive machinery, this should be done after a formal request is made by the School Board to the Ministry.

That the Ministry of Education pro-actively recruit Teachers that can teach skilled trades courses in schools and work with the Ontario Council for Technology in Education (OCTE) in this endeavor.

Recommendations That the Ministry of Education rapidly approve courses in the skilled trades in schools when requested by School Boards. The Ministry should consider developing a Technical Math course for secondary school students.

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That the Ministry of Education provide dedicated capital and operating funding to schools like West Credit Secondary School that run Regional Skilled Trades programs.

That the Ministry of Education consider offering courses in the skilled trades as early as Grade 7.

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That the Ministry of Education re-look at the mandatory secondary school credit program to ensure that students on the skilled trades path are not hindered by mandatory courses that may not be relevant to their program and could make obtaining a Secondary School Graduation Diploma problematic.

Co-operative Education & Apprenticeship Programs There is wide consensus that co-op and apprenticeship programs are both essential and highly valued programs for integrating and training young people in the skilled trades careers.

These programs have been excellent examples of the education system and business working together. They must however be relevant and meaningful for the participant.

However, like any program, there is a need to update co-operative education and apprenticeships to ensure they are fully relevant to today’s business environment and are not bogged down with unnecessary regulation and red-tape.

All School Boards cited the importance of these programs and the relationships built with businesses who participate in them. More businesses need to offer these programs and partner with local School Boards to facilitate the placement of students.

Co-op programs need to be year-round and flexible given the student’s time and nature of the program. Community Service hours could be used for co-op placements. Co-op placements need to be relevant to the skilled trade area of interest and not used as “free” labour.

Recommendations That the MBOT work with the four School Boards to encourage and recruit more Mississauga businesses to participate in co-op programs.

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That the MBOT encourage its members in the skilled trades to visit local schools and speak to the students about the opportunities for careers in the skilled trades.

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That the MBOT encourage its members to offer school visits and tours of businesses so students can see how these businesses work and the skilled trades they employ.

That the MBOT keep an inventory of companies interested in these programs so that they may be provided to the School Boards for follow-up and engagement.

That the Ministry of Education and Ministry of Finance consider a tax credit for companies that accept students for co-op placements in their businesses.

Recommendations That the Ministry of Education continue to support and expand the Specialist High Skills Major program for students pursuing careers in the skilled trades to ensure that all schools can offer the program.

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That the Ministry of Education allow students to claim co-op work placements in the 40 hours of Community Service program.

That the Ministries of Education and Labour, Training & Skills Development better co-ordinate on the Dual Credit System for secondary school students to ensure a smooth transition from high school to college in the skilled trades.

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That the Ministry of Education and local School Boards continually assess co-op placement programs to ensure the rapid pace of technological change and industry requirements are met.

Future Steps Recently, the Government of Ontario appointed two Training & Skills Advisors. They will lead consultations with industry and stakeholders and provide recommendations to the Minister to modernize the skilled trades and apprenticeship system.

Further, the Government of Canada also announced the creation of a new advisory committee to help promote apprenticeships and skilled trades across Canada. The advisory committee will lay the groundwork for a national campaign to encourage apprenticeships and promote the skilled trades as a career of choice. They will lead consultations, explore partnerships, and provide advice to the Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Labour.

Both of these are positive steps by the respective Governments and the MBOT looks forward to providing advice and assistance to the panels.