About NeCTAR
Introduction
Over the next five years, more than half of the skilled tradespeople in Ontario are expected to retire. Four in every ten Ontario businesses that depend on skilled trades are expected to face a shortage of skilled labour. By 2020, an estimated one million new skilled tradespersons will be needed in Ontario.
As the labour market tightens and the need for new apprentices and journeypersons increases, promoting access to the skilled trades for qualified newcomers is a necessity.
The Ontario Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities has developed a number of initiatives to improve access to skilled trades by internationally-trained tradespeople including bridge-training programs to improve qualification recognition.
Newcomers Connecting to Trades Apprenticeship Resources
(NeCTAR) is a bridge training program established to provide information and services to internationally-trained individuals seeking apprenticeship or employment in the skilled trades in Ontario.
NeCTAR has developed a Resource Kit that includes:
- A Reference Guide to Trades Apprenticeship in Ontario [Reference guide is not yet available online]
- A Facilitator’s Guide and training for service providers assisting newcomers who want to work as skilled tradespeople.
- Becoming a Certified Tradesperson in Ontario Workshops for delivery to internationally-trained tradespeople
- Pathways to Practice for newcomers preparing for Certification or Apprenticeship in one of four skilled trades: Hairstylist, Automotive Service Technician, Construction Maintenance Electrician and Industrial Millwright
- Resources and Tools for use by service providers and newcomers seeking entry to the skilled trades
This resource kit contains ten modules designed to:
- better prepare internationally trained individuals for employment and apprenticeship in the skilled trades;
- help internationally trained tradespeople overcome gaps in training and experience through improved information and referral; and
- help service providers develop one-on-one and group service delivery initiatives targeted to the skilled trades.
Module One – Trades Apprenticeship in Ontario, provides an overview of the skilled trades and how the trades apprenticeship system works.
Module Two and Three – Becoming a Certified Tradesperson in Ontario, describes certification and apprenticeship – the two pathways an individual with international training can take to practice a skilled trade.
Module Four – The Role of Unions, clarifies the role of the unions and provides information for those considering apprenticeship or employment in a unionized environment.
Module Five – Women in the Trades, provides current information about women in apprenticeship programs and initiatives to support their entry into the skilled trades.
Modules Six through Nine – Trade-specific Information, provides certification, apprenticeship and labour market information specific to four trades – hairstylist, automotive service technician, construction maintenance electrician, and industrial millwright.
Module Ten – Health and Safety, has been developed in partnership with the Occupational Health Clinics for Ontario Workers and the Toronto Workers Health and Safety Legal Clinic, to help prevent the injury and illness of immigrant workers.
Role of this website
The role of the NeCTAR website is to enhance the capacity of community agency staff to provide targeted information and services to internationally trained individuals so that they are better able to find an apprenticeship or work in skilled trades.
Resources and Tools in the kit include:
- Flow Charts are used to describe the pathways for internationally trained individuals who seek entry to the trades in Ontario. Corresponding flowcharts for service providers helping internationally trained tradespersons detail appropriate service delivery interventions. These interventions are linked to tools and resources for use in one-on-one counselling and group work.
- Checklists that can be used by internationally trained individuals to guide them through the process and ensure adequate preparation.
- Trade-Specific Self-Assessment Tools to assist internationally trained individuals assess how closely their training and experience match the training standards for their trade in Ontario.
- Trade-specific fact sheets for internationally trained individuals to quickly access information about apprenticeship or certification in their trade.
- Diagrams to simplify information for internationally trained individuals and service providers.
- Websites to link both internationally trained individuals and service providers to streamlined information and resources.
- Trade-specific application-based case scenarios to assist service providers working with internationally trained tradespeople.
- Group activities for use by service providers delivering workshops and information sessions.
- Information Sheets that provide condensed information about the pathways for internationally trained tradespeople.
- Glossary of trade terminology.
