Apprenticeship system 'broken,' Hudak claims

An “outdated” apprenticeship policy in the province is driving potential skilled workers to seek their education elsewhere, Ontario's PC leader said.

Tim Hudak made a brief stop at Cambrian College's trades building to tell students about his party's plan to add more “good jobs” to the province.

“We're seeing so much potential talent in northern Ontario that has had to flee south or outside of our province to get a good job,” Hudak said after his tour wrapped up.

He said careers in fields like plumbing, electricity, mechanics and sheet metal are “the kinds of jobs you can raise a family with.”

However, because of an “outdated” apprenticeship policy in the province, those jobs are difficult to obtain, he said. Only 25 per cent of apprentices actually finish their programs, because of the complexity of them.

The Progressive Conservative plan, which involves giving colleges a leadership role to allow them the ability to identify potential apprentices and match them with good jobs, and move to a one-to-one ratio between journeyman and apprentices, is aimed to improve that statistic.

“The problem is the current system is broken,” Hudak said. “We need to do more, because the current (standard) is failing our students.”

Hudak said he is confident his party's plan would result in more jobs, and good jobs, for the province.

Posted by Arron Pickard