The ITA Immigrants in Trades Training initiative—what is it?
The ITA Immigrants in Trades Training initiative is helping immigrants who are unemployed or underemployed overcome barriers to trades training and learn the skills they need to find rewarding and better-paid work in the trades. The province needs skilled tradespeople, and with a wave of tradespeople due to retire in the next few years, the need is growing. There are many exciting career opportunities, and this new initiative is designed to give immigrants the financial and other supports they need to successfully begin training in the trades.
What makes it different?
The ITA Immigrants in Trades Training initiative is different because it recognizes and addresses the unique barriers that immigrants can experience in finding rewarding and well-paid work in British Columbia. Through our funding and training partners, we are able to offer a customized package of counselling, financial supports, training and job placement as needed. Each immigrant’s path to a trades career is different; the initiative offers a flexible approach to meet each individual’s needs.
Your role in the initiative
As a career practitioner, you are uniquely placed to inform your immigrant clients about this training and employment initiative, and we encourage you to find out more about how it can benefit immigrants of all skill levels, language levels and backgrounds. The ITA Immigrants in Trades Training initiative offers immigrants an integrated and supportive path to a new career in trades, taking them from career exploration to training opportunities to employment.
Program objectives
The ITA is focusing on immigrants because they are overrepresented in low-paying, low-skill occupations. Often, they are prevented from reaching their full potential as a skilled tradesperson because of language or cultural barriers, because they can’t afford to retrain, or because their existing trades skills are not recognized in B.C. The ITA Immigrants in Trades Training initiative is designed to address these barriers through financial and other supports.
Our province, along with the rest of Canada, has a growing need for skilled tradespeople. By matching immigrants’ skills to the needs of B.C.’s workplace and by supporting them in their career path, we can ensure that our workforce remains strong and competitive.
Top five reasons to recommend a trades career
There has never been a better time for immigrants to consider a career in the trades:
1. Better opportunities
The trades are experiencing a shortage of trained workers, and with an aging population, the shortfall will only increase in the coming years. This means there will be opportunities for immigrants in just about every trade area.
2. Better salary
Many immigrants are employed in low-paying, low-skill jobs even though they are capable of much more. Some immigrants may even have existing trades experience and knowledge, but are unable to work in the trades in B.C. because their credentials are not recognized. When barriers such as poor English language skills, cultural isolation and a lack of funds are addressed, immigrants can find skilled work that pays a better wage. Seventy-three per cent of tradespeople in B.C. are earning more than $40,000 a year. And becoming certified in a trade increases earning power by 20 per cent over those trades workers who do not complete training.
3. Job satisfaction
Tradespeople report high levels of job satisfaction. The trades offer work that is challenging and rewarding, allowing workers to use their hands and minds to problem-solve. It also gives them the opportunity to see the tangible results of their efforts at the end of each day.
4. Financial and other supports
Immigrants experience unique challenges in integrating successfully into B.C.’s workforce. The Province is committed to supporting traditionally underemployed and underutilized workers, including immigrants, and helping them to overcome barriers to meaningful employment with a range of financial and other supports that can include:
• Paid tuition
• English language courses
• Childcare allowance
• Paid textbooks, tools and workboots
• Transportation allowance
• Career counselling
• Introductions to employers
• Safety training (WHMIS, First Aid, etc.)
• Other individualized supports
5. Positive outcomes
Tradespeople are well-paid, respected, skilled members of B.C.’s workforce. When immigrants are supported in overcoming barriers to trades employment, they can reach their full potential as valued members of the workforce and of the greater community. In turn, the province benefits from their skilled labour and ongoing expertise.
For more information about the ITA Immigrants in Trades Training initiative, please call Jessi Zielke at (604) 603 6993 or email info@immigrantsintrades.ca.
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