Event held to help starved employers
Omar Pache has been in Windsor for a couple of months and is eager to get to work and make a life for himself in Canada.
“I want to work,” the native of the Dominican Republic said while attending a skilled trades apprenticeship day held by Unifor Local 195.
“I wanna do something over here and I come and I try to speak with everybody and I cross my finger. Maybe I have the training and maybe I work faster too.”
A couple hundred people attended each of the sessions, this morning and this afternoon, at Unifor’s Action Centre on Somme.
Many of the exhibitors shared information trying attract people to industries starving for talent.
“We have an aging workforce and we thought this is a very good opportunity to invite our members who lost their job and the community to have the exposure,” said Unifor Local 195 president Emile Nabbout.
Taylor Pruyn showed up to encourage others to get into the trades.
“I've got a career that's already set up,” said the grade 12 L’Essor student. “I've started even before I've even graduated high school so it's a good opportunity.”
The opportunities are abundant in many fields.
“There's a huge shortage of cooks right now,” said Melody Nowack, literacy supervisor at the UHC Hub of Opportunities who pointed out the culinary shortage is in large part a result of the pandemic.
She says employers are asking about pre-apprenticeship students and expects the same after their next student intake in April.
“We're expecting to have the same thing we've had for the past several years. Having more placements than we do participants.” Nowak said.
Nick Hayes, apprentice manager at St. Clair College, is taking calls from industry as well.
“I need the youth to come in. We need those high school students. We need those adults looking to change careers,” Hayes said.
According to Workforce Windsor-Essex, as of Thursday, there are over 2200 active jobs or which 415 fall under the trades category.
“There's so many opportunities right now,” Hayes emphasized. “Machine trades. Construction trades. Culinary trades. Service trades. Everybody's crying for workers now.”
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING Liberals table GST holiday legislation, putting $250 rebate on backburner
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's promised holiday consumer relief package has been split in half. After NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh said his party was only ready to help pass the GST/HST holiday portion of the affordability announcement, Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland tabled legislation Wednesday that only seeks to enact that measure.
Missing hiker found alive after 50 days in northern B.C. wilderness
A missing hiker who spent 50 days alone in the frozen wilderness of northern British Columbia has been found alive.
'They alone are responsible': No deal yet in Canada Post strike
The Canada Post strike is expected to continue as parties remain 'too far apart on critical issues' to reach a deal, according to Labour Minister Steven MacKinnon.
Boeing plane makes emergency landing at Montreal's Mirabel airport after landing gear malfunction
No injuries were reported after a Boeing 737 was forced to divert to Mirabel airport after the aircraft experienced a technical issue with the landing gear.
Two Canadians arrested for failed murder plot in California
Two men who travelled from Canada to Monterey County have been arrested and accused of attempted murder after a triple-stabbing Sunday.
Ontario to match GST holiday by removing provincial sales tax on some items
Ontario says it will match the federal government’s two-month GST holiday by removing provincial sales tax (PST) from items that are not currently covered by existing provincial rebates.
Montreal billionaire Robert Miller could have as many as 100 victims, lawyer says
A Quebec judge is hearing arguments this week in a class-action lawsuit application against Montreal billionaire Robert Miller over allegations he paid minors for sex.
Hyundai recalling hundreds of thousands of cars and SUVs in Canada, U.S.
Hyundai is recalling hundreds of thousands of SUVs and small cars in the U.S. and Canada because the rearview camera image may not show up on the screens.
Woman accused in drowning of girl on Alberta lake denied bail
The woman accused in the drowning death of a five-year-old girl in an Alberta lake has been denied bail.