The skilled trades are coming back into leading focus at both the secondary and post-secondary levels. Photo Credit: Facebook/Niagara Catholic District School Board
The need for skilled tradespeople is rapidly growing across the Niagara Region. With this reality in mind, the Niagara Catholic District School Board (NCDSB), Niagara College (NC) and the Niagara Home Builders Association (NHBA) are coming together to support young people in entering various trades-based career paths. Last week, leaders from all three entities gathered at Welland’s Seaway Mall to celebrate their partnership at the Catholic Board’s Niagara Launch Centre.
“As an industry and as an association, we’ve been trying to get more people into trades for many, many years,” said Chuck McShane, NHBA Chief Executive Officer. “We’re getting rid of the stigma that trades are dirty and getting some more training back into the high schools.”
The Seaway Catholic Launch Centre, which is located near the Seaway Mall Winners, will be the new host for the Lakeshore Catholic Transportation Technology Classes, as well as the skilled trades programs for Notre Dame College School. Niagara College will be providing $15,000 worth of equipment and tools for use by high-school and college students.
Camillo Cipriano, NCDSB Director of Education, expressed his excitement for enhanced collaboration with Niagara College. “I often say our students become your students and together, with their learning in both institutions, they’re transforming the Niagara region.”
Fiona Allan, who currently serves as the Vice-President – Academic at Niagara College, also shared her enthusiasm for the partnership. “It started with the need to increase our capacity (as we’re) running out of space at the college,” she explained. “But it goes far beyond that for us because the opportunity to work with Niagara Catholic and look at pathways for students into the trades and really showcase the trades in the region is critical.”
After several decades of widespread cultural preference for university degrees and professions, the skilled trades are coming back into leading focus at both the secondary and post-secondary levels. In fact, Andrew Boon, Principal of Notre Dame, described the trades as not merely “coming (but) sprinting back.” Boon went on to say that in an attempt to meet compounding demand and interest in skilled trades, dual credit programs are now being offered which provide college calibre training in a secondary school context.
Those who are interested in learning about more than 140 career pathways in the skilled trades are invited to visit the dedicated Ontario government webpage.
Nick Redekop completed his Honours Bachelor of Arts Degree in Labour Studies at Brock University. He has previously served in municipal and federal politics. In his free time, Nick enjoys following sports, taking part in outdoor activities, and reading biographies. Nick resides in Niagara Falls
