Skilled Trades Jobs Among the Most In-Demand for 2022

“To learn a skilled trade is to have a job for life.”  That is the pitch that the Government of Ontario and many in construction and building industries are promoting to attract more people to explore careers in skilled trades — which is expected to be among the most in-demand job sectors in 2022 and beyond.   In fact, by 2025, as many as 1 in 5 jobs in Ontario will be in the skilled trades.

With a projected labour shortage of more than 100,000 skilled trades workers in Ontario over the next decade, and a significant four-year investment of more than $1.5 billion by Ontario’s Ministry of Labour, Training and Skills Development, there has never been a more opportune time to enter the skilled trades than right now. 

As part of Ontario’s Skilled Trades Strategy to bridge the workforce shortage, there are a variety of introductory and apprenticeship programs, incentives, skills development, and support resources available to explore, whether you are a student in high school, starting a second career, or ready to take the next steps to financial security and a rewarding profession.

At-A-Glance: (Infographic)

• Most apprenticeship programs can be completed within 3-5 years; plus, apprentices get paid while learning
• The average starting wage of a journeyperson (someone who has completed their certification) is $40/hour; nearly 3X the minimum wage for most retail and food service jobs
• Entry to most programs requires a high school diploma and some programs require completion of certain courses like Grade 12 Math, English, or sometimes Physics; with some sectors such as carpentry that only require a minimum Grade 10 education in Canada, or proven equivalency
• The average age of people entering skilled trades is 29; however, the government of Ontario is hoping to lower the median entry age to 22

Most recently, Ontario committed another $90 million investment in the trades sector to attract more youth to skilled trades through the expansion of the Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program (OYAP), which will add more recruiters in 800 schools across the province to teach young people about the skilled trades.

The program also provides free pre-apprenticeships training for marginalized youth and a more simplified existing apprenticeship system to minimize barriers to entry.  In addition to attracting more youth, there are specific programs for new immigrants who want to transfer their skills, as well as for women. 

Women currently represent less than four per cent of workers in the most in-demand construction skilled trades; however, there are encouraging signs that the tides are changing as governments and construction companies are realizing that women are essential to filling the skilled labour shortage. 

There has been a dramatic increase to 34,800 women working in skilled trades in 2018, despite fewer people working in the trades in Canada overall.  More and more women are seeing the benefits of working in skilled trades that offer competitive salaries, health benefits, and job stability and satisfaction.

The Ontario Building and Construction Tradeswomen (OBCT), a committee of tradeswomen on a mission to educate underrepresented groups on the benefits of building a career in the skilled trades, says that breaking some of the misconceptions around the skilled trades is key to encouraging more women, persons with disabilities and other marginalized groups to consider a career in skilled trades. 

For example, not all skilled trades jobs require heavy lifting; most jobs emphasize transferable soft skills such as problem solving, strong math and communications skills, hand-eye coordination, attention to detail, and ability to work in a collaborative environment.

As well, to support women and families, many trades associations offer benefits and financial assistance during pregnancy, parental leave, and return to work.  The UA (Union of Plumbers, Steamfitters, Sprinkler Fitters, Welders, and HVAC Mechanics) offers its members who qualify, extended maternity leaves, financial support to help care for their newborn during their first year of life, and paid time off for members who are pregnant while working in the trades (as pregnancy progresses it may become difficult to continue working in particular environments associated with construction such as being in high elevation).  And recently, the Government of Ontario also expanded its Skills Development Fund to include subsidized childcare support for trades workers.

With one of the largest investments by the provincial government to promote skilled trades, greater access to training and apprenticeships, financial incentives for employers and employees, job prospects in the skilled trades continue to be among the fastest growing and in-demand.

There are more than 150 designated skilled trades in Ontario; and here are some of the diverse professions worth considering in 2022.

TOP 3 IN-DEMAND SKILLED TRADES PROFESSIONS FOR 2022

Network Cabling Specialist – If you are a multi-tasker

Network cabling specialists work with low or no-voltage communication systems. They install, repair, and maintain structured cable and fibre optics data networks for residential, commercial, and industrial buildings. To become qualified, 4,600 hours (approximately two and a half years) are required, consisting of 4,000 hours of on-the-job work experience and 600 hours of in-school training, approximately two and a half years. Average wage for a journeyperson Network Cabling Specialist is $48.15/hr ( $90,000 annual salary, based on an average work week of 36 hours).

Boilermaker – If you are a problem solver

Boilermakers weld, fit, and rig pressure vessels, boilers, and tanks. Being a Boilermaker offers a lot of variety in the everyday, as they often work on different job sites, including oil refineries, pulp and paper mills, cement plants, and nuclear power plants, to name a few. Boilermakers are responsible for laying out patterns and interpreting blueprints, maps, and drawings. The Boilermaker apprenticeship takes 4-5 years to complete as 6600 total hours of in-school and on-the-job training are required to write the Certificate of Qualification. Average wage for a journeyperson Boilermaker is $46.99/hour ($88,100 annual salary, based on a work week of 37.5 hours).

Carpenter – If you love DIY

Carpenters construct, renovate and repair structures made of wood, as well as steel, concrete and other materials. They can work for a construction company or be self-employed. General contractors are trained in five main areas: exterior finishing, framing, formwork and foundations, finishings (walls and ceilings), and interior finishing.  A Grade 10 level education can qualify for an apprenticeship program that can be completed within four to five years.  Average wage for a journeyperson Carpenter is $39.65/hr ($79,300 annual salary, based on a work week of 37.5 hours).

Approximately 200,000 jobs in skilled trades are going unfilled every day in Ontario costing the provincial economy $24 billion annually.  There will always be a need for skilled trades workers, providing a bright future that is secure and financially stable, as well as a career that is professionally rewarding.  

To find more information about skilled trades careers, go to CTAO (Construction Training & Apprenticeship Training Ontario); and for more information and resources for women considering skilled trades, go to OBCT (Ontario Building and Construction Tradeswomen) to sign up for free membership, events and workshops.

(Sources: CTAOntario.com)

Media Contact:

Nikki Lamb Tudico
416-878-2250
nikki@lambcreativegroup.com