Leaders sought to build new organization for Ontario’s skilled workers

The Ontario College of Trades is seeking more than 500 leaders to begin the process of self-regulating Ontario’s trades. The College, which will be in operation in 2012, will represent members in 150 trades – from steamfitters and electricians to chefs and hairstylists.

“The Ontario College of Trades will modernize the trades in this province,” said Rod Cameron, Chair of the Appointments Council for the Ontario College of Trades. “These new leaders will have a once-in-a-career opportunity to help build a new organization from the ground up.”  

The Ontario College of Trades is a self-regulatory body – made for the trades and by the trades – that hopes to have a major impact on how the trades learn, work and are certified. Applications are now being accepted from journeypersons, apprentices, employers and the general public.

The Appointments Council has put out a call for applications for the Board of Governors, four Divisional Boards and the individual Trade Boards. These new leaders will be drawn from a pool of tradespeople, including journeypersons, apprentices and employers.

“We are looking for people who really know their trade and are committed to making it better for everyone involved,” said Cameron. “Successful applicants will help guide the future of their specific trade and the College for years to come.”

Twenty-one of the available positions are for the Board of Governors itself, which will administer and manage the affairs of the College. The positions include four members selected from each of the College’s four trade sectors of construction, industrial, motive power and service. These four members, along with membership from the Divisional and Trade boards, will be divided equally between employers and employees.  

The Board of Governors will also consist of four members from the general public, with no direct trade affiliation, and one member from the public community college sector. The four Divisional Boards will represent each of the four sectors, and the individual Trade Boards will be responsible to their Divisional Board for affairs within the specific trade. 

The deadline for applications for all positions is March 31, 2011. For more information on the Ontario College of Trades and the application process, or to submit an application, visit www.collegeoftrades.ca/appointments.