With Ontario projecting a need to build more than 1.5 million homes over the next decade, the College joined with partners to celebrate the success of a unique trades program.
NC Vice-President, Academic, Fiona Allan. From L to R: NHBA CEO Chuck McShane, MPP Niagara West Sam Oosterhoff, Dean, Media, Trades and Technology, Leo Tiberi, Welland Mayor Frank Campion.
On November 22, MPP-Niagara West Sam Oosterhoff and CEO of the Niagara Home Builders Association (NHBA) Chuck McShane visited the Welland Campus to celebrate the success of a skilled trades partnership between NC and the NHBA.
Since 2022, the 16-week Construction Skills program has trained close to 200 workers for in-demand, entry-level careers in Niagara’s homebuilding sector. The program is funded by the Ontario government through the Skills Development Fund.
Welland Mayor Frank Campion at the podium. MPP Sam Oosterhoff pictured on the left.
Welland Mayor Frank Campion was in attendance, shared words of support for the program and its impact in the city. NHBA President Paul Savoia was also in attendance. The group were joined by faculty and students in one of NC’s carpentry labs.
“As Niagara continues to grow, our region requires more skilled workers in the construction and homebuilding sectors,” said Sam Oosterhoff, MPP for Niagara West. “This investment from the Skills Development Fund in the Niagara Home Builders’ Association and Niagara College will provide opportunities for good jobs and careers with bigger paycheques for local workers as we build more homes faster.”
CEO of the NHBA, Chuck McShane.
Students with no prior construction background have gained a broad range of skills and knowledge – including occupational health and safety, power and non-power tool usage, safe handling of materials in the construction sector – as well as the specific skills needed to fulfil the demand for various trades including framing, drywall, and roofing. The flexible program culminates in an eight-week work placement.
“This program will allow the NHBA and Niagara College to continue to develop and train students with the skills they need in order to be job site ready to work their way into building a stable career, while filling the void of the 100,000 workers our industry needs over the next decade,” said NHBA CEO, Chuck McShane. “Ontario is projected to build 1.5 million homes in the next 10 years, and in order to stabilize our housing crisis we simply need more individuals working in the trades.”
“Niagara College is grateful to the province for investing in training that is helping to address the urgent need for skilled tradespeople,” said Niagara College Vice-President, Academic, Fiona Allan. “This underscores the important work we do, alongside industry and our partners at the Niagara Home Builders Association, to meet the current and future needs of employers and our communities.”
