Skilled tradespeople in demand: Minister Hajdu highlights careers in the trades at Skills Canada National Competition
News Release
June 2, 2017 Winnipeg, Manitoba Employment and Social Development Canada
The skilled trades are a promising and rewarding career path for young Canadians. The Government of Canada is encouraging more young Canadians to pursue the skilled trades in order to grow our economy and strengthen our middle class.
Today, the Honourable Patty Hajdu, Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Labour attended the 2017 Skills Canada National Competition (SCNC) in Winnipeg. The SCNC gives more than 500 young people from across the country a chance to compete with their peers in more than 40 hands-on skilled trades and technology contests. The Minister experienced Try-a-Trade® and spoke with competitors in various fields, including welding, plumbing and automotive technology. She also hosted a Facebook Live chat with young women in trades and technology to share stories about breaking down barriers for women in these fields. As well, Minister Hajdu met Skills/Compétences Canada alumni champions, who work to inspire students to follow similar paths in skilled trade and technology sectors.
Minister Hajdu’s visit took place as Team Canada prepared for the WorldSkills Competition to be held in Abu-Dhabi.
The SCNC is the only national, multi-trade and technology competition for students and apprentices in the country. Through competitions such as the SCNC, Skills Canada also seeks to raise awareness and promote careers in the area of skilled trades and technologies among Canadian youth to address future and current identified and skilled labour shortages.
Quotes
“The skilled trades are a promising and rewarding career for young Canadians. Skilled tradespeople impact every aspect of our lives from the houses in which we live, to the cars we drive, to keeping us safe. I am pleased to be here today at the Skills Canada National Competition as they promote the skilled trades and technology fields to youth across our country. The young people competing here today are demonstrating their exceptional skills, innovative spirit and hard work.”
– The Honourable Patty Hajdu, Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Labour
“We’re thrilled to be in Winnipeg for our annual Skills Canada National Competition! With 10,000 visitors expected to tour the event this week, we hope that our 550 competitors from across Canada will inspire their younger peers to explore a career in the skilled trades and technology fields. There are so many exciting options to consider.”
– Shaun Thorson, Chief Executive Officer, Skills/Compétences Canada
Quick Facts
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The Government of Canada is investing roughly $10 million in Skills Canada project funding over three years and is a strong supporter of the national and international skills competitions through:
an investment of $13.9 million over three years to support national skills awareness activities, such as National Skilled Trades and Technology Week;
participation in the annual WorldSkills Competition in Abu Dhabi this October.
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The Government of Canada has also invested an additional $1.4 million to improve the awareness of essential skills among partners, stakeholders and employers of skilled trades and technologies to help address the future and current identified skilled and labour shortages.
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Skilled tradespeople account for 26 percent of working Canadians.
Associated Links
Contacts
Matt Pascuzzo
Press Secretary
Office of the Honourable Patty Hajdu, P.C., M.P.
Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Labour
matt.pascuzzo@hrsdc-rhdcc.gc.ca
819-654-4183
Media Relations Office
Employment and Social Development Canada
819-994-5559
media@hrsdc-rhdcc.gc.ca
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