Why the Trades?

The skilled trades shortage is impacting every province in Canada and not only the construction trades - there are over 90 Skilled Trades recognized by the Industry Training Authority of BC. According to the Conference Board of Canada, nearly one million positions will open up nationwide due to retirements by 2020.  STEP can connect you to training and employment opportunities in every Skilled Trade. STEP’s approach and unique access to immediate funding can connect you to training and employment.

The Ministry of Regional Economic Skills Development has identified the Construction Industry as a future pressure area that must be monitored to ensure that skills shortages do not become unmanageable. In British Columbia, 22,644 construction workers – about 2,500 per year – are expected to retire between 2005 and 2014. According to the BC Work Futures website, the provincial Construction Industry can expect a total of 5,190 new job openings a year between now and 2015, due to a combination of retirements and industry growth.