CAREERS CONT.
has been focused on how we are going to fill this trades gap.” Stigma remains an issue even today, with the world of academics often viewed as the superior choice and trades receiving inferior recognition. “We really need to change the thinking and culture. Trades should be a first choice or an equal choice. Trades are a great way to earn while you learn. There are lots of apprenticeship programs, and with earning while you’re learning, there’s a skill set,” he says. “A lot of journey-people can make $100,000 a year, and compa- nies are upping their game to attract these journey-people with added perks and benefits.” Once you’ve earned or learned your trade, it’s a great career path that provides opportunities to tran- sition into project management or even owning your own business. “I have two adult sons. Both came through college and I love knowing that they have those skills,” Savoy says. “Once you’ve learned your trade, no one can take that away from you. You will have those skills for life.” For those looking to learn more, a great resource is to go to career fairs or RRC Polytech’s Open Doors event where you can speak directly to instruc- tors about the programs offered and career opportunities. “In Manitoba, there’s the Winnipeg Construction Association and the Construction Expo at the Red River Exhibition Park. You can visit post-secondary institutions and talk directly to instructors. Manitoba has a stable economy for trades training,” Savoy says. “We hear from industry part- ners every day looking for highly skilled people. We are liter- ally hundreds of thousands of people short. There are openings in every single industry.”
drywalling, painting and stucco installation to support employment and income assistance recipients. Scott Savoy is the chair of construction trades at Red River College Polytechnic and is a Red Seal carpenter by trade. “The thing I appreciate the most is seeing the students succeed, whether it’s construction, mechanical or piping trades — following in, and excelling at, the same steps I did," he says. RRC Polytech is the second largest institution in Manitoba for post-secondary education, with a broad range of skilled trades, apprenticeship training, certificate and degree programs opening the door to innova- tive work and opportunities for great pay and advancement. “For the last several decades, the industry as a whole has recog- nized that there is a skilled labour shortage since the boomers retired. There’s a larger push for various people to enter the trades — women, Indigenous people, newcomers to Canada. All of those people are a pool of labour that we can draw upon and who can grow their career opportunities,” he explains, adding that in the last 10 years, there’s been some improvement but there’s still a long way to go. “Every single industry confer- ence and session I’ve been at
Paul says that because of the housing shortage, the Manitoba Home Builders' Association needs more framers, so the Sector Council is working across the province with 53 Indigenous communities. “We give them the stepping stones to get into the trades,” she says. “We offer a framer course to learn the skills associ- ated with framing. It gives them a chance to try out a trade to see if it’s the career of choice.” From there, they can move on to future careers in carpentry, scaffolding, drywall installation or painting. “Anything that gives them entry- level — these individuals have the greatest support from every angle. We’ve got to look at systemic barriers, particularly in the North,” she says, noting that instructors for the North are Indigenous. “We have a gathering circle we host at different locations. We sponsor a program for women to get into the trades and continue to bring partnerships and collab- orations and look at how else we can work together. We are all here to do good work.” In the North, training is primarily focused on framing houses and water and waste installation, Paul adds. And in Winnipeg, trades training over the next two years will focus on framing, scaffolding,
100 PARADE of HOMES SPRING 2025
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