Building diverse workforces

Colleges and Institutes Canada (CICan) recently launched its ApprenticeConnect platform that looks to support apprentice recruitment, training and retention for employers in the construction and manufacturing sectors.

The platform is an integral component of Career Launcher Apprenticeships, a program funded by the Government of Canada’s Apprenticeship Service Program that provides hiring incentives of up to $10,000 per new apprentice.

Developed in consultation with seven colleges and institutes across the country, ApprenticeConnect serves as a guide, offering employers tailored tools to navigate every stage of the apprenticeship journey, including recruitment strategies, onboarding best practices, comprehensive training resources, and information on available financial support for apprentices and employers. The toolkit also includes resources to support the recruitment and development of workers from traditionally underrepresented groups in the skilled trades.

“Pairing this toolkit with Career Launcher Apprenticeships’ hiring incentives presents an unprecedented opportunity to address workforce challenges and ensure a vibrant construction and manufacturing sector in Canada,” stated Denise Amyot, president and CEO of Colleges and Institutes Canada. “By providing a financial boost to alleviate barriers to investing in new talent and creating tools and resources to navigate the intricacies of apprenticeships and support the recruitment of women, newcomers, LGBTQ+, Indigenous peoples, and BIPOC individuals, we are not only fostering inclusivity but also building a more skilled and adaptable workforce, better prepared to meet the demands of the industry and ensure Canada’s continued economic prosperity.”

Institutions that contributed to the creation of the platform include Assiniboine Community College, British Columbia Institute of Technology, Fanshawe College, Georgian College, Loyalist College, Saskatchewan Polytechnic, and Thompson Rivers University.

www.collegesinstitutes.ca