Dear Editor,
BC鈥檚 construction workforce is stretched thin and it鈥檚 about to get worse. The reality is that there simply aren鈥檛 enough apprentices to keep up with major projects over the next few years.
So, when a labour group keeps quibbling over who is training the greatest number of apprentices [Skilled trades shortage looming, April 5 Letters, 91原创 Advance Times], it strikes me as the wrong way to go about addressing a serious challenge.
Meeting B.C.鈥檚 skilled trades shortage is not a contest. It will take a collective effort involving government, educators, all labour groups, and all industry members to find the solution.
The B.C. gov鈥檛 should be doing its part too. That starts by scrapping its restrictive rules that drive up public infrastructure costs and ultimately result in fewer trained apprentices.
There is a way to address B.C.鈥檚 skilled trades shortage. In the interests of the next generation of skilled construction workers, let鈥檚 put aside the politicking and hyperbole and work together to resolve this critical issue.
Paul de Jong, President, Progressive Contractors Association of Canada
