Apprenticeship information session at Jobs Caledon

Shane McCarthy, training director, will speak Oct. 12 at Claude Presbyterian Church.

The Skilled Trades Survey of 2003, co-ordinated by the Ontario Chamber of Commerce, states that more than half of the skilled trade profession is expected to retire within the next 15 years. That retirement statistic, along with shortages of workers in the skilled trades industry, means there is a high demand for people entering the trades.

Friday, Oct. 12 from 10 to 11:30 a.m., at the Jobs Caledon employment resource centre site in Inglewood, a presentation on apprenticeships will be given by Shane McCarthy, training director of the Joint Training and Apprenticeship Committee (JTAC) at the Local 787/Ontario Refrigeration and Air Conditioning (ORAC) Training Centre.

McCarthy will be discussing the mechanical construction trades like air conditioning

and refrigeration, plumbing, pipe fitting, steam fitting, sprinkler fitting, electrical, and sheet-metal trades, as well as providing information about preapprenticeships and apprenticeship programs.

"A skilled trade is as simple as a pen maker, (but) what people really want to know and talk about are apprenticeship trades … careers in trades through apprenticeships," said McCarthy. "Apprenticeship basically means that you're going to be indentured to an employer and the employer will have you work with a skilled craftsman, and that skilled craftsman will mentor you during your apprenticeship … it is all about learning from the master craftsman."

McCarthy has taught as a part-time instructor for 10 years and has been full-time training director for more than 10 years. His career in the HVACR trade started in 1973 with an Ontario family business. After attending the apprenticeship-training program at the Southern Alberta Institute of Technology (SAIT) in Calgary, he was inter-provincially licensed in 1982 as an air-conditioning and refrigeration mechanic. After returning to Ontario in 1982 he joined Local 787 and has since been a member in good standing.

For people interested in the skilled trades and apprenticeship, this is an excellent opportunity to speak directly to someone who has been involved in the field for more than 15 years.

To register, or for more information, please call Jobs Caledon, Caledon Community Services at 905- 951-2300 or 905-584-9460. The presentation will be held at the Inglewood employment resource centre site of Jobs Caledon located at Claude Presbyterian Church, on Highway 10 north of King Street. The main office of Jobs Caledon, Caledon Community Services is located at 18 King Street East, in the upper level of the Royal Courtyards, in downtown Bolton.