Photo source: NAIT School of Skilled Trades
AMBA’s Chair, Colin Porte, attended NAIT's School of Skilled Trades Manufacturing & Construction Industry Engagement Night, held on June 6. Attendees included General Contractors, Cabinet Makers, CNC operators, Boiler Makers, residential home builders, and NAIT personnel.
Dean Matt Lindberg, the main speaker at the event, engaged the audience and had an open discussion about various industry challenges, opportunities, and how NAIT could best support the industry through apprenticeship programs. Many companies, including NAIT, identified the retiring workforce as the most challenging issue facing several industries – there are simply not enough workers to fill industry or apprenticeship positions to replace those leaving the workforce.
Some companies have had great success with employing Ukrainian refugees to fill positions; however, the language barrier has presented communication challenges. NAIT acknowledged these challenges and is working with the industry to assist with training programs to assist with this and ease the skilled labour supply.
A sustainable skilled labour force is essential to ensuring productivity, competitiveness, and quality. Businesses and industries need to support training institutions by enrolling their workers in programs and attending industry events.
AMBA will be posting industry and construction events in our Newsletters and on our social media platforms so that our members and followers are aware of upcoming events – as an industry and association we have a voice in the direction of our training programs and skilled labour supply!
If you would like to be notified and invited to future NAIT industry events, please email NAIT Chair, Nicole Mahoney.