East Ottawa Star
Published: Friday, May 8, 2009 The importance of the trades If you drive along Highway 174 near Trim Road each day, get set for a different view next month. \La Cité collégiale will break ground this June for a new construction trades training centre. And last week, local MPs Royal Galipeau and Pierre Lemieux, along with Transport Minister John Baird announced a $4 million federal contribution from Canadian Heritage toward this $18 million project. In effect, it was the final piece of an $18 million funding puzzle for this ambitious, 57,000 square feet facility that will open in September 2010 and provide up to 23 specialized programs for over 750 students annually by 2014. The federal funds will be added to the $1.8 million donation of land by the city, a $6.75M contribution from the province, $2.5M from the college and another $4M that will be raised in the construction sector and broader community. It is a testament to how a public-private financing partnership can and should work. Now you may be thinking, so what, government money for college training, big deal. To start, the construction sector – commercial, residential and trades supply chain – in Canada employs over one million Canadians and accounts for 12 per cent of our gross domestic product (GDP). And with an aging population and some built-in parental and institutional bias against skilled trades (in favour of degrees in the liberal arts and social sciences), there is an urgent need (read: NOW) for skilled electricians, plumbers, pipe fitters, roofers, brick layers, carpenters, etc., right across Canada, including Eastern Ontario. Local analyses predict that another 7,000 skilled construction workers are needed in Eastern Ontario from now to 2015 to replace those who are retiring and to meet anticipated future demand. Moreover, with governments at all levels pushing infrastructure projects through the pipeline at a furious pace, this number itself may underestimate the actual need for new workers. Once open in 2010, this centre will provide an option for students who may not want to head to university but do wish to continue their education in “the trades.” And make no mistake about it; starting salaries in the trades are much better than kids graduating with BAs in philosophy or art history, for example. Not to mention the lifelong earning potential for those who wish to run their own business or pool their skills with others in a contractors’ consortium. This centre will also shorten the commute for many Orléans, Cumberland and Rockland students who presently attend the Aviation Parkway campus. And what you may not know is La Cité also offers courses in English and it is likely that these will be offered in the construction trades centre. Finally, it is hoped that this centre, along with other embryonic projects, will also diversify our local economy so more of us can not only learn but also work in our own community. Indeed, it is a big deal and good one for our community. = = = = = Comments can be sent to Walter Robinson at orleansouttakes@transcontinental.ca. |