Online trades training piloted in the north.

If the lack of skilled tradespeople is becoming a common refrain, then the home building industry is able to sing the chorus without a lyric sheet. But the Ontario Home Builders Association (OHBA) and the Ontario Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities (MCTU) are hoping to change the tune.

The OHBA and the MCTU have jointly developed the online Home Builder training program to assist young people pursuing trades, and to assist those in the trades with upgrading their skills through the program Web site at www.buildfortomorrow.ca. Also involved in the effort to develop the program was the Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program (OYAP).

"The importance of (the project) is that it provides an enhancement to secondary school curriculum, providing secondary school students an opportunity to develop some skills online in relationship to this trade," says Sharon Orlak, project manager with the Rainbow District School Board. "It provides a very good preparation enhancement for those students who want to go into the construction trades such as general carpentry."

"It's taken two years in the making," says Denise Lafond, executive director of Sudbury and District Home Builders' Association. "I sit on the education and training committee at the Ontario level and, when it came to my attention that this program was being developed, I immediately contacted Sharon Orlak. We work with the schools to promote apprenticeship in (co-operative education). She did a proposal to get this online here. Some of the schools have this program as part of their curriculum."

Although the Web site is already up and running and there are people taking the course, the program is scheduled to be officially launched in May in Sudbury. The first group of students who have gone through the program will be presented their certificates at the Chelmsford Valley District Composite School.

Students who take the course online will be able to go into co-operative education work placements already with knowledge gained by taking the course. The online course is available free of charge.

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Split up into three modules, the program covers subjects related to masonry, carpentry and health and safety, the latter program "an important part of our industry," says Lafond.

"When I first heard about this program, I got very excited," says Lafond. "Down south (in southern Ontario) they have access to all kinds of programs, but up here there isn't quite as much available. We did a trade show to contractors and I presented it there. They were pleased with it. For many of the young people who tell me their fathers are in the business and they're planning to take over, they're getting training without it being too costly."

Lafond adds the program also helps in dealing with a critical shortage of skilled labour in trades such as construction by creating awareness of construction trades as a viable career alternative.

Orlak says the program is giving students in high school more knowledge of the opportunities that exist in the industry.

The program is receiving a favourable response from those who are experienced in the trades as well because it provides them with an opportunity to upgrade their knowledge without the hassle and expense of travelling out of town.

"When you have your own business, its nice when you can take a course from say 5 p.m. to 9 p.m., you can still conduct your business," she says. "If you're in another city, it's kind of hard. I think that's why it's well received in the smaller centres."

www.homesontario.com

www.buildfortomorrow.ca

www.rainbow.edu.on.ca

By ANDREW WAREING

Northern Ontario Business