OEL Welcomes the Introduction of Building Opportunities in the Skilled Trades Trades Act, 2021

May 13, 2021

The Ontario Electrical League (OEL) applauds the Ontario government’s new measures to help tradespeople receive certification through Skilled Trades Ontario, announced yesterday by the Minister of Labour, Training and Skills Development, Monte McNaughton.
 
“With the introduction of the Building Opportunities in the Skills Trades Act, Minister McNaughton has demonstrated that he has listened to what stakeholders have been saying for a number of years and has responded fully,” said Stephen Sell, President of the OEL. “The Minister is bringing the skilled trades into the twenty-first century as well as streamlining the operations around the governance of the trades in Ontario.”
 
The new legislation intends to streamline and simplify the apprenticeship system through the establishment of a new Crown agency. In the legislation, the Ministry will provide oversight and be responsible for regulatory decisions and financial supports, among other responsibilities.
 
“We are pleased that the government has retained the trades classification system and we welcome the separation of the enforcement side and the training side of the apprenticeship journey. Up until the introduction of this legislation, we had seen a muddying of these operations under the Ontario College of Trades.”
 
The OEL, along with its members, will be supportive of the Building Opportunities in the Skills Trades Act through the legislative process and continue to offer any and all input necessary to see the full passing of the legislation.

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