{"id":2100,"date":"2016-10-19T10:20:33","date_gmt":"2016-10-19T14:20:33","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/skillsdev.ifpt.org\/?p=2100"},"modified":"2016-10-19T10:19:57","modified_gmt":"2016-10-19T14:19:57","slug":"national-skilled-trades-technology-week-celebrates-history-importance-skilled-trades-canada","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.skillscompetencescanada.com\/en\/national-skilled-trades-technology-week-celebrates-history-importance-skilled-trades-canada\/","title":{"rendered":"National Skilled Trades and Technology Week Celebrates the History and Importance of the Skilled Trades in Canada"},"content":{"rendered":"

New Survey Shows Majority of Canadians (83%) feel Skilled Tradespeople are Important to their Everyday Lives<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

OTTAWA, Ontario \u2013 November 6, 2012 \u2013 <\/strong>Skills\/Comp\u00e9tences Canada<\/a> (SCC), a national not-for-profit organization that actively promotes careers in skilled trades and technology, today hosted the official launch of National Skilled Trades and Technology Week 2012<\/a> at an event held at the Canadian Museum of Civilization, in Gatineau, QC. The week-long event, which includes interactive student skills activities across the country hosted by Skills\/Comp\u00e9tences Canada and its Member Organizations, highlights the shortage of skilled trade and technology workers and the tremendous career opportunities this presents for youth.\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

The Honourable Diane Finley, Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development, spoke at the event emphasizing the Government\u2019s commitment to the skilled trades:<\/p>\n

\u201cIt is more important than ever that youth gain the skills and experience needed to prepare for and succeed in the jobs of tomorrow. Through grants, tax credits, and support for training programs, our Government is encouraging apprenticeships and careers in the skilled trades and technology sectors.\u201d<\/p>\n

The theme of National Skilled Trades and Technology Week 2012 is focused on the history and importance of skilled trades in Canada, highlighting the important role of skilled tradespeople in building and shaping our country.<\/p>\n

\u201cOur country\u2019s infrastructure was built by tradespeople and their importance is often overlooked as they are the enablers of many of the things we take for granted such as our reliance on electricity, communications networks, running water and transportation,\u201d said Shaun Thorson, CEO, Skills\/Comp\u00e9tences Canada. \u201cIndustries that depend on the skilled trades have become increasingly vital to Canada\u2019s future economic stability and to its standing in the global marketplace. National Skilled Trades and Technology Week helps raise awareness of the career opportunities in the skilled trades, while recognizing industry needs and encouraging students to develop trade and technology skills.\u201d<\/p>\n

Industries that depend on the skilled trades have become increasingly vital to Canada\u2019s future economic stability and to its standing in the global marketplace. According to the Conference Board of Canada, a shortage of more than one million skilled workers is forecasted by 2020, with an estimated 40% of all new jobs in the skilled trades and technology industries.<\/p>\n

Skilled Tradespeople:\u00a0 An Everyday Resource Canadians Can\u2019t Manage Without<\/strong><\/p>\n

A new survey which was released today by Skills\/Comp\u00e9tences\u00a0Canada, conducted by Harris\/Decima, illustrates the importance and extent to which Canadians rely on the skilled trades for some of their everyday activities. From ensuring that they have running water, that their car runs, that they can turn on the lights, and that they have a leak-free roof over their head, there are hundreds of skilled trade professions in Canada that touch on numerous sectors of the economy.<\/p>\n

Almost all Canadians (98%) surveyed admit they have used a skilled tradesperson at least once in the last few months:<\/p>\n