September 2018

This project is funded in part by the Government of Ontario

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Source: Stats Canada. Labour Force Survey | 2016 Census

The 2017 Local Labour Market Plan was completed December 2017. The report combines statistical evidence about the key industry and occupations across the Grand Erie region and local intelligence to identify supply and demand trends for the communities of Brantford, Brant, Haldimand, Norfolk, Six Nations of the Grand River and Mississaugas of the New Credit.

People over 65 years of age has increased the most since 2013. This increase is reflected in the growth of people “Not in the labour force”.

Brantford (Census Metropolitan Area) has the largest share of participation of people aged 25 to 54. This group increased in the last five years.

2017 Labour Market Plan

Key Characteristics – Labour Force

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Source: Stats Canada. 2016 Census

Largest Industries (by Employment)

Industry Subsectors Growth and Decline

Occupational Growth and Decline

Industries and Occupations

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Manufacturing

Top job hires: Occupations in manufacturing and utilities, and trades,

transport and equipment operators and related occupations

Hard-to-fill jobs: Labourers in processing, manufacturing, and utilities,

processing and manufacturing machine operators and related production

workers.

Retail

Top job hires: Sales and service occupations, trades, transport and

equipment operators and related occupations.

Hard-to-fill jobs: Sales representatives and salespersons - wholesale and

retail trade, and service support and other service occupations.

Construction

Top job hires: Occupations in manufacturing and utilities, trades, transport

and equipment operators and related occupations.

Ranks within the top 7 sectors for employment across the region

The sub-sector “Construction of Buildings” impacted by housing starts – a

lack of residentially zoned land in Brant has caused builders to build in

surrounding communities

3700 new homes planned in Caledonia (Haldimand County)

Growth within the larger, engineering-based projects will increase the need for

more highly skilled technicians.

Key Industries

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Skilled trades have been an important part of Grand Erie`s strong manufacturing,

construction and agriculture economy for many years. Since 2001, our region has

had a higher proportion of people with trade certification than Ontario, providing a

competitive edge for business attraction and retention. New census data released

in 2017 revealed that the percentage of people with an apprenticeship or trade

certification or diploma is higher in the Grand Erie region in comparison to the

province.

Skilled Trades fall under four categories – industrial, construction, motive power,

and service – supporting a large number of industry sectors. There are 22

compulsory trades requiring workers to be registered as apprentices,

journeyperson candidates, or certified journeypersons (Ontario Colleges of Trade),

and over 100 trades that do not legally require certification or membership in the

Ontario College of Trades.

Local employers report challenges in finding the skilled tradespeople they need. In

the 2018 EmployerOne Survey, manufacturers identified Maintenance and

equipment operation trades workers as hard-to-fill positions. Retailers identified a

shortage of trades helpers, construction labourers and related occupations.

In a yearlong analysis of local job postings (Vicinity jobs, 2018), the demand for

workers in trades, transport and equipment operators and related occupations

placed third in terms of job postings (1,941). Material handlers were in greatest

demand within the trades’ category (330) followed by transport truck drivers (322),

and welders (211).

Our Geography

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Employment Ontario Data. 2013 - 2018

The number of new apprentices has declined 41% in the past six years and the

number of active apprentices have decreased 60%.

Workforce development strategies that build the profile of apprenticeship as an

attractive educational pathway and promote career opportunities are required.

Efforts to support apprentices through their learning pathway are also required.

2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018

Number of Certificates of Apprenticeship Issued

175 166 174 177 177 136

Number of Modular Training Registrations

95 63 52 123 120 121

Average Age of Apprentices at Registration

23 24 27 26 26 26

Number of New Registrations

591 476 424 477 411 348

Number of Active Apprentices

2,468 2,339 1,640 1,647 1,257 978

Apprenticeship Data

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The Workforce Planning Board of Grand Erie developed a list of in-demand

occupations using data projections, consultations with employers and knowledge

of the local labour market. The project provided occupation snapshots in a wide

spectrum of fields expected to grow in our region by 2021. The data from this

project was used to project demand for skilled trades. The occupations are colour

coded as: Green – high demand, Yellow - some demand, and Red – for low

demand occupations.

Outlook 2021 Projects:

Green Trades - Growth

Yellow Trades - Moderate

Red Trades - Decline

Automotive service technicians

Residential and commercial installers and servicers

Structural metal and platework fabricators and fitters

Welders & related machine operators

Motor vehicle body repairers

Crane operators

Construction millwrights & industrial mechanics (except textile)

Heavy-duty equipment mechanics

Sheet metal workers

Construction trades helpers and labourers

Painters and decorators Insulators

Plumbers Roofers and shinglers Tilesetters

Refrigeration and air conditioning mechanics

Cabinetmakers Bricklayers

Steamfitters, pipefitters, sprinkler system installers

Gas fitters Concrete finishers

Industrial electricians Tool and die makers Floor covering installers

Electricians (except industrial and power system)

Machinists and machining and tooling inspectors

Boilermakers

Carpenters Bakers Power system electricians

Cooks Chefs Glaziers

Hairstylists and barbers Estheticians, electrologists and related occupations

Ironworkers

Outlook 2021 - Projections

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Green Trades - Growth

Yellow Trades- Moderates

NOC Total employed by place of workCensus

2016

Estimated

2011

Projected

2021

Change

11-21

Potential

Retirees

Total

Demand

7231Machinists and machining and

tooling inspectors470 385 387 2 50 52

7232 Tool and die makers 170 147 162 15 30 45

7322 Motor vehicle body repairers 165 165 184 19 40 59

7441Residential and commercial

installers and servicers160 166 198 32 0 32

7312 Heavy-duty equipment mechanics 115 110 122 12 25 37

7272 Cabinetmakers 100 81 93 11 10 21

7294 Painters and decorators 90 95 110 15 10 25

7253 Gas fitters 65 65 75 10 10 20

7334Motorcycle and other related

mechanics35 33 36 3 15 18

6252 Bakers 215 212 244 31 15 46

6241 Chefs 175 177 217 40 10 50

6482Estheticians, electrologists and

related occupations145 145 161 16 10 26

NOC Total employed by place of workCensus

2016

Estimated

2011

Projected

2021

Change

11-21

Potential

Retirees

Total

Demand

7321

Automotive service technicians,

truck and bus mechanics and

mechanical repairers

1,055 1,031 1,142 111 70 181

7265Welders and related machine

operators965 839 906 67 110 177

7311Construction millwrights and

industrial mechanics (except 950 782 813 31 130 161

7611Construction trades helpers and

labourers540 564 645 82 35 117

7251 Plumbers 180 182 205 23 45 68

7313Refrigeration and air conditioning

mechanics130 133 152 19 25 44

7252Steamfitters, pipefitters and

sprinkler system installers90 93 102 9 45 54

7242 Industrial electricians 285 232 252 19 55 74

7241Electricians (except industrial

and power system)175 192 224 32 10 42

7271 Carpenters 215 226 259 33 30 63

6242 Cooks 1,280 1,299 1,604 305 120 425

6271 Hairstylists and barbers 670 675 752 78 130 208

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Red Trades- Decline

NOC Total employed by place of workCensus

2016

Estimated

2011

Projected

2021

Change

11-21

Potential

Retirees

Total

Demand

7263Structural metal and platework

fabricators and fitters205 155 145 -10 20 10

7371 Crane operators 125 97 94 -3 10 7

7261 Sheet metal workers 90 90 99 9 0 9

7291 Roofers and shinglers 80 84 97 13 0 13

7293 Insulators 35 37 43 6 0 6

7264 Ironworkers 35 31 33 2 10 12

7283 Tilesetters 30 31 35 4 0 4

7281 Bricklayers 30 30 33 2 0 2

7282 Concrete finishers 25 21 24 3 0 3

7243 Power system electricians 25 27 30 3 10 13

7295 Floor covering installers 20 20 23 3 0 3

7262 Boilermakers 20 19 19 1 10 11

7292 Glaziers 20 21 24 3 10 13

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Vicinity data is based on the number of online job vacancies posted in the Grand

Erie region. The lists below represent the number of job postings in for the top 20

positions in trades, transport and equipment operators and related occupations

from April 1, 2017 to June 30, 2018, by quarter.

(Q1: Jan – Mar) (Q2: Apr – Jun) (Q3: Jul – Sep) (Q4: Oct – Dec)

Jobs Postings in the Grand Erie Region

Occupations Q2 2017 Q3 2017 Q4 2017 Q1 2018 Q2 2018 Total 7452 - Material handlers 71 62 36 87 74 330

7511 - Transport truck drivers 70 47 20 56 129 322

7237 - Welders and related machine operators 72 49 30 31 29 211

7311 - Construction millwrights and industrial mechanics73 43 28 37 16 197

7000 - Trades, transport and equipment operators and

related (unidentified sub-category)0 70 24 45 51 190

7514 - Delivery and courier service drivers 47 41 14 38 45 185

7612 - Other trades helpers and labourers 71 44 24 21 23 183

7611 - Construction trades helpers and labourers 21 11 9 12 41 94

7441 - Residential and commercial installers and

servicers15 26 14 24 13 92

7321 - Automotive service technicians, truck and bus

mechanics and mechanical repairers7 8 16 9 22 62

7313 - Refrigeration and air conditioning mechanics 13 17 3 12 7 52

7241 - Electricians (except industrial and power system) 10 10 13 10 6 49

7231 - Machinists and machining and tooling inspectors 6 8 5 11 15 45

7271 - Carpenters 12 9 8 5 8 42

7291 - Roofers and shinglers 10 12 6 2 6 36

7251 - Plumbers 5 1 15 7 5 33

7281 - Bricklayers 3 6 3 4 17 33

7512 - Bus drivers, subway operators and other transit

operators7 8 1 10 5 31

7535 - Other automotive mechanical installers and

servicers4 8 5 5 4 26

7521 - Heavy equipment operators (except crane) 5 5 3 5 7 25

Total jobs postings - Trades 589 513 319 498 585 2504

Total Jos postings - All jobs 3,717 3,248 2,478 3,749 3,706 16,898

% of posting in trades 15.8% 15.8% 12.9% 13.3% 15.8% 14.8%

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433 employers within Grand Erie participated in survey.

Actual hires (EmployerOne 2017 Data):

-324 Trades, transport and equipment operator occupations were filled in 2017 (9.5% of all hires).

-17% of employers businesses hired Trades, transport and equipment operator occupations recently.

Apprenticeship Training:

-19% of employers provided apprenticeship training in 2017 for the following trades:

-Millwrights -Automotive Service

Technicians

-Electricians -Machinists

-Welder

-Tool & Die Makers

-Nano-Electrospinning

Technician

-Farm equipment technicians

-Refrigeration and A/C Systems Mechanic

-Auto Body Repairer

Planning Hires:

In 2017, 15% of employers plan to hire approximately 300 people in trades,

transport and equipment operators positions. The top reason for projected hiring is

expansion.

In the Manufacturing Sector

67 employers in the Manufacturing sector identified their workforce needs in the

2018 EmployerOne survey.

-Hard-to-fill positions: 61% of manufacturers had a hard-to-fill position (those that take longer than expected to fill) in 2017. -Worker shortages: Approximately 1 in 3 employers had a shortage of experienced and qualified Trades helpers, construction labourers and related workers in the Grand Erie region

Top Reasons for Hard-to-Fill Jobs:

1. Not enough applicants

2. Lack of qualifications

3. Lack of work experience

EmployerOne Survey 2018

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Barriers

Barriers to Attracting Apprentices and Completing their Apprenticeships, 2015:

Using Trochim’s (1989) concept mapping research method, we elucidated

the barriers to attracting apprentices and to completing apprenticeships.

In our first study, 114 participants generated barriers to

attracting apprentices and then 48 sorted these into

categories and rated them in terms of strength. This

sample consisted of a cross-section of prospective

apprentices and the people supporting them (e.g.,

teachers, community providers), including members of

several underrepresented groups (e.g., women,

aboriginals, people with disabilities).

In our second study, 166 participants generated

barriers to completing apprenticeships and then 34

sorted and rated them. This second sample consisted

of the people most directly involved in apprenticeships

(e.g., employers, journeypersons, apprentices) in the

industrial and motive power sectors and was stratified

mirroring Ontario’s journeyperson and apprentice

population in terms of class (i.e., type of trade).

Ministry Data

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Using Concept Systems Global MAX software (Concept Systems, 2013), we

generated two maps accurately depicting how participants organized the

barriers, one for each of the studies.

Eight categories of barriers to attracting apprentices emerged in our findings.

Prospective apprentices and their support focussed on barriers related to

Employment Opportunities/Regulations, Lack of Knowledge and Encouragement,

Mental and Physical Health, and Costs and Transportation as strong, and barriers

related to Lack of Motivation/ Job Compatibility, Personality/Personal Issues,

Discrimination, and Trades Specific Demands as moderately strong barriers to

attracting apprentices to the trades.

Barriers to Attracting

Eight categories of barriers to completing apprenticeships also emerged.

Employers, journeyperson, and apprentices focussed on barriers related to

Financial Insecurity and Expenses, Workplace Training Issues, Employer

Commitment and Workplace Limitations, Instructional Methods, Curriculum and

Assessment, OCOT and MTCU Regulations and Processes, Personality Traits,

and Health and Personal Life as moderately strong barriers to completing

apprenticeships. We conclude that participants’ perceptions on the barriers to

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attracting apprentices and completing apprenticeships align with and extend the

previous research literature.

Barriers to Completing

Further, community leaders in apprenticeship generated recommendations to

attract more apprentices and to improve completion of apprenticeships in the Elgin-

Middlesex-Oxford and Grand Erie regions and rated these recommendations in

terms of importance and feasibility.

We advocate that recommendations rated as both highly important and highly

feasible be included in regional plans to improve apprenticeship participation and

completion in the Elgin-Middlesex-Oxford and Grand Erie regions and that those

rated as either highly important or highly feasible be considered as well.

Recommendations from our study are included in an Implementation Plan to

support and improve apprenticeship in the Elgin-Middlesex-Oxford and Grand Erie

regions.

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For questions regarding the data represented in this report,

please contact:

Workforce Planning Board of Grand Erie jhalyk@workforceplanningboard.org

519 756 1116

Workforce Planning Board of Grand Erie

1100 Clarence St. South, Suite 101, Box 12

Brantford, Ontario, N3S 7N8

©Workforce Planning Board of Grand Erie