April 16, 2019 (Toronto, ON) – The Ontario Electrical League (OEL) is pleased to see that the Ford government has introduced the
Modernizing the Skilled Trades and Apprenticeship Act, 2019, as part of their Budget 2019.
The bill, if passed, will make important changes to the Skilled Trades and the Apprenticeship system and will include provisions to the existing fee structure within the Ontario College of Trades as it transitions to its elimination.
“The OEL is pleased to see a bill that addresses some of the concerns we have voiced to government for some time now,” said Stephen Sell, OEL President. “We are buoyed by the proposed changes to training that includes consultation with our industry and those that know what the trades need and what the industry needs as well.”
Sell added, “With the College of Trades holding a rather large surplus from previously accepted membership fees, we see the proposals, eliminating apprenticeship class members, journeyperson candidate class member and tradespeople class member’s fees to be not only prudent but needed to help attract more people to the trades as well as eliminating barriers to entry into the trades – all at a time when it is an accepted fact that Ontario needs more skilled trades.”
“However, our members and the organization as a whole are concerned that changes presented to the scope of practice in this legislation may have negative ramifications to our industry, our trades and potentially the safety of the work we perform daily. Nonetheless, we are hopeful that in the spirit of cooperation, we will be able to work with the government to address changes that will keep Ontarians safe.”
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About the Ontario Electrical League
The Ontario Electrical League is a non-profit provincial organization, dedicated to over 20 chapters and more than 12,000 individual members from the electrical industry. League members include electrical contractors, electricians, apprentices, utilities, generators, inspectors, distributors, manufacturers, manufacturers’ representatives, consulting engineers, educators and service companies.
Media Contact
Bao Xiong – Communications Specialist and Chapter Support, Ontario Electrical League
bao.xiong@oel.org
905-238-1382
April 16, 2019 (Toronto, ON) – The Ontario Electrical League (OEL) is pleased to see that the Ford government has introduced the Modernizing the Skilled Trades and Apprenticeship Act, 2019, as part of their Budget 2019.