OPENING THE DOOR TO
THE TRADES
“We want to see increased access to con-
struction employment opportunities by tra-
ditionally under-represented communities
(Aboriginals, people of colour, women, at-
risk youth, returning veterans and reserv-
ists),” says Dillon. “We can acknowledge
that we have not done a good job on diver-
sity. There is a career for everyone in the
trades and certain groups haven’t been giv-
en a fair opportunity to access the trades.
We are quite open to talking with govern-
ment on how to fix that.”
Dillon thinks a solution lies in government
procurement documents requiring that the
workforce reflect “the face of the commu-
nity” where the project/investment is tak-
ing place.
“We want to see a strong, bona fide ap-
prenticeship system run by and for trades-
people,” continues Dillon. The College of
Trades which became operational in 2013,
is a step in the right direction, giving trades-
people a voice in governing their respec-
tive industry (construction, motive power,
service, industrial) similar to other profes-
sions (teachers, lawyers, doctors, nurses,
architects, accountants, etc.).
10
business elite canada
H
AUGUST 2017
