3M Study Shows Canada Needs to do More to Attract Young Canadians to Skilled Trades

July 25, 2022

Latest research from the annual 3M State of Science Index reveals an overwhelming 96 per cent of Canadians agree that the country’s workforce needs more skilled trades workers. Inspiring and supporting the next generation of skilled workers will be crucial to Canada’s economic recovery and addressing Canada’s growing labour shortage. Despite Canadians thinking highly of skilled trades and the professionals who work in them, over three-quarters (76 per cent) of Canadians say they would never pursue a skilled trade for themselves, indicating the need for immediate action by Canadian organizations to champion skilled trades and do more to showcase fulfilling career pathways available to young Canadians.

“Getting Canada’s youth excited about skilled trades will be critical to ensuring a robust and healthy economy as we emerge from the impact of the global pandemic,” said Terry Bowman, Manufacturing and Supply Chain Leader at 3M Canada. “It is imperative Canadian organizations provide equitable access to STEM education to passionate young Canadians interested in pursuing a skilled trade. With over 900 skilled workers at 3M Canada, we recognize the importance of skilled trades to Canada’s economy and are fully committed to supporting the next generation of skilled workers.”

By 2025, 3M is committed to supporting and raising awareness of skilled trades through the creation of five million unique STEM and skilled trades learning experiences for underrepresented individuals.

“The shortage of skilled professionals in Canada is daunting – misconceptions and lack of awareness surrounding these careers makes it difficult to fill the gaps, but it is important now more than ever that we encourage and support Ontarians pursuing these fields,” said Ian Howcroft, CEO, Skills Ontario.  “For over 30 years, Skills Ontario has developed a growing portfolio of programs and initiatives to help students of all ages and backgrounds understand that they can find fulfilling career paths in the skilled trades and technologies. We also provide them, their parents, and their educators information on informative, skill-building programs and work-experience opportunities that can help them pursue these positions. The shortage is a challenge, but it is one we are addressing every day.”

The path forward for Canada’s skilled trades sector begins with removing barriers to skilled trades pathways and ensuring the right educational resources reach Canada’s youth. Canadian organizations must act now to not only change perceptions of trades and technical programs but to introduce the field to youth who may not have considered pursing a skilled trade before.

• 96% of Canadians agree the workforce needs more skilled trade workers.
• 92% believe there is a lot of opportunity in skilled trades.
• 91% trust vocational/trade schools to give them the education needed to have a successful career.
• 81% believe they would earn as much money in a skilled trade as they would in a career that requires a degree from a traditional 4-year university/college.
• Though Canadians think highly of skilled trades and the people who work in them, three-quarters (76%) would never pursue one themselves.
• 47% of Canadians who did not pursue a career in a skilled trade said that the top reason was that they had other passions they wanted to pursue for a career.

• Canadian findings: https://sciencecentre.3mcanada.ca/3m-state-of-science-index
• Full global data: 3M3M State of Science Index | How People Feel About Science

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