Colleges Ontario

(Toronto, Dec. 13) – The McGuinty government is being praised today by business, labour and education leaders for the commitment in its economic statement to provide skills training to greater numbers of people.

"Despite the perfect storm of challenges facing the sector, manufacturers continue to be hard pressed to find people with the right skills to meet the demand,” said Ian Howcroft, vice-president, Ontario division, of Canadian Manufacturers and Exporters. “Ontario’s future success will largely depend on addressing the skills crisis.”

“The government recognizes the skills shortage is a priority and Ontario must address it in a meaningful way,” said Barbara Taylor, chair of the Ontario colleges’ committee of presidents. “We are pleased to see the McGuinty government’s commitment to a strong and prosperous Ontario.”

The manufacturers and exporters and the colleges are just two of the sectors in Ontario’s Workforce Shortage Coalition, which represents 100,000 employers and millions of employees throughout the province. Ontario’s Workforce Shortage Coalition has been calling for a comprehensive strategy to address the skills shortage.

The workforce shortage in Ontario is primarily due to demographics. The baby boomer generation is retiring, and Ontario has slowing population growth. Even with strong immigration levels, there is expected to be a significant shortage of qualified employees. For example, there are at least 20,000 positions in the food services industry that could be filled immediately.

By 2025, Ontario faces a shortage of more than 360,000 skilled employees. This could escalate to a shortage of more than 560,000 skilled employees by 2030. Everything from construction work to tourism, energy production, and home care services could be hurt by a skills shortage.

“Many Ontario environment companies are already hurting because they can't find skilled workers, and other sectors are in the same situation,” said Alex Gill, executive director of the Ontario Environment Industry Association. “Our coalition members are glad the government is taking the first steps to do something about it.”

“Producing the skilled workforce to sustain our economy is an urgent priority and the government is to be congratulated for the commitments in its economic statement,” said Len Crispino, president and CEO of the Ontario Chamber of Commerce.

“We look forward to working with the province to address the workforce shortage challenge,” said Diane J. Brisebois, president and CEO of Retail Council of Canada. “The new economy demands immediate action. Working together, we are confident Ontario can meet this challenge.”

Ontario’s Workforce Shortage Coalition includes the Automotive Parts Manufacturers’ Association, Canadian Manufacturers & Exporters, the Canadian Restaurant and Foodservices Association, the College Student Alliance, Colleges Ontario, CON*NECT, the Council of Ontario Construction Associations, the Ontario Association of Certified Engineering Technicians and Technologists, the Ontario Chamber of Commerce, the Ontario Mining Association, the Ontario Restaurant Hotel & Motel Association, the Power Workers’ Union, Retail Council of Canada, Skills-Canada Ontario, Ontario Environment Industry Association, Ontario General Contractors Association, Greater Toronto Hotel Association, Toronto Financial Services Alliance, Alliance of Ontario Food Processors, and the Ontario Tourism Council.

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For more information, contact:

Darrell Neufeld
Senior Communications Officer
Colleges Ontario
416 596-0744, ext. 242
neufeld@collegesontario.org