Educators call for better tools to teach skilled trades

Dec. 11, 2014, Ottawa — With 91 per cent of educators convinced skilled tradespeople will always be in demand, there is a strong case for connecting students to hands-on activities and accurate employment data, suggests a report released yesterday by the Canadian Apprenticeship Forum (CAF-FCA).

Dec. 11, 2014, Ottawa — With 91 per cent of educators convinced skilled
tradespeople will always be in demand, there is a strong case for
connecting students to hands-on activities and accurate employment data,
suggests a report released yesterday by the Canadian Apprenticeship
Forum (CAF-FCA).

In a survey of 715 teachers across Canada, 93 per cent say they are encouraging students to consider careers in the skilled trades.  Only 13 per cent of parents and 18 per cent of youth agree, highlighting gaps among the three groups when it comes to awareness of career pathways after high school.  The three groups agree, however, when it comes to belief that the skilled trades involve hard physical labour, something that new technologies mitigate in many trades.

According to Sarah Watts-Rynard, CAF-FCA's executive director, this belief may be causing a disconnect when it comes to developing the right skills for success in the trades. "Many trades rely on strong math and science skills. More than ever before, tradespeople are using technology to address the physical nature of their jobs. Parent and educator perceptions about the trades may be misdirecting youth when it comes to the right skills for success in the trades," she said.

The educator perceptions report is the third of three national surveys since 2013 to measure perceptions about careers in the skilled trades among youth, parents and educators. Understanding educator views is important as they impact student aspirations, educational goals and career choices — either challenging or reinforcing negative stereotypes about the skilled trades.

Of the three groups, educators are the most positive in their perceptions of tradespeople, claiming to understand apprenticeship and the benefits of skilled trades careers. Yet, educators think there's room for more field trips and hands-on opportunities, better-equipped trades classrooms and more integration of skilled trades content in high school curricula.

Watts-Rynard notes, "This tells us educators are thirsty to pass along insights to their students, particularly when it comes to connecting class work to employment opportunities. Empowering educators to give timely and relevant advice to their students will make a big difference to how young people feel about a future in the skilled trades."