According to a recent Ipsos Reid poll conducted on behalf of the Ontario College of Trades (College), 95 percent of Ontario parents are supportive of their children working in a trade-related profession — but aren’t talking with them about it.

In fact, when ranked against other career paths, working in the skilled trades rated favourably among Ontario parents, placing slightly ahead of both the financial and service industries.

However, despite this approval, results show only 38 percent of parents have had serious discussions with their children about a future in the skilled trades and apprenticeship opportunities.

“With Canada’s looming skilled workforce shortage, we need more parents to discuss the unlimited career possibilities in the skilled trades with their kids,” says David Tsubouchi, the College’s Registrar and CEO. “Apprenticeship is a great way to earn money while learning new skills and working toward a rewarding and exciting career.”

To help parents and those interested in apprenticeship opportunities to learn more, the College has created a youth-focused website (earnwhileyoulearn.ca), featuring videos from working apprentices and tradespeople illustrating the many benefits of a career in the skilled trades.

Above: Krista Nolan encourages her son Aidan to find a career in the trades.

Krista Nolan’s son Aidan, who is in Grade 7, expressed an interest in a career in the skilled trades but she didn’t know where to go for information. “Finding out about earnwhileyoulearn.ca from a friend turned out to be a great way to start the conversation,” she said.

“Knowing there will be jobs available for my son when he’s out of school and finished an apprenticeship means a lot to me as a parent,” she added.