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P.C. Leader Tim Hudak revealed part of his campaign cornerstone jobs plan Thursday morning. It’s not quite one million — but Hudak says, if elected he will create 200-thousand jobs in the skilled trades. To do that, he plans to make a controversial move, and eliminate the Ontario College of Trades.
This was a bit of a curve ball to the skilled trades industry. The Ontario College of Trades was given autonomy in 2009 and has the power to regulate all approved trades in Ontario. They are funded through annual fees paid by licensed tradespeople. If he wins this election, Tim Hudak says he wants to scrap the whole thing: “I think this college of trades has to go. It’s nothing more than a tax grab. It’s a new bureaucracy that’s going to stand in the way of you getting a new job.”
Tim Hudak says he can create 200-thousand new skilled trades jobs in the province by scrapping the Ontario College of Trades.
Ron Johnson is on the board of directors with the Ontario College of Trades. “Quite frankly, as a conservative myself, I find that offensive.”
But the chair of the college Hudak is targeting says the move is misguided. As a former Conservative MPP, Johnson believes an independent body, funded by $120 per year membership fees is more effective: “We’re saving taxpayers every year about 30 million dollars. And I’m really surprised that Tim Hudak wants bigger government and higher taxes.”
Hudak also wants to reduce the ratio of trainers to trainees, saying it will allow more young people to enter the field: “Allow each journeyman to mentor and train an apprentice. one each. that’ll help create 200 thousand positions.” Johnson argues, instead, that would cause contractors to lay off journeymen, and hire cheap apprentices in their place.
Whoever ends up regulating trades in the province, attracting new faces is a top priority.
Adel Hamde is an apprentice: “They accommodate you. If you’re working. If you’re unemployed. Any situation that any individual’s in, they accommodate that.”
The Ontario College of Trades actively promotes opportunities, but Hudak says the province needs to reach even further: “Part of our plan in skilled trades is to track back into high schools. open their eyes into these opportunities.”
Hudak suggests creating more collaborative programs like the one Mohawk Colleges offers that allows high school students to begin training for a skilled trade and earn both college and high school credits at the same time.
