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CONTRACTORS OF THE ONTARIO ELECTRICAL LEAGUE LAUNCH PUBLIC RELATIONS CAMPAIGN
(August 29, 2011, Toronto, Ontario) - The contractors of the Ontario Electrical League (OEL) announced the launch of their first ever public relations campaign today. The campaign, which begins this week and features radio ads, pamphlets and print ads, focuses on the issue of apprenticeship ratios and the Ontario Government's reluctance to change them from the current ratio of 3:1 to 1:1.
"The future of our young people is of vital importance to all of us," OEL President Stephen Sell said. "That's why the contractors of the Ontario Electrical League have decided to break new ground and launch this campaign. And while not an endorsement of either of the other two political parties, the campaign does ask Ontarians to stop and think about the decisions that are being made by Premier McGuinty and his government, and how they will affect youth unemployment."
Mr. Sell went on to explain that to become a fully-certified electrician requires a multi-year apprenticeship with on-the-job training. The Ontario government's requirement for three certified electricians per apprentice is unfair to thousands of young people and the small businesses that want to hire them. Ontario can move immediately to a 1:1 ratio like almost all other provinces and territories, literally with the stroke of a pen.
"Ontario's Minister of Training, Colleges and Universities John Milloy claims that the current ratio is in place to ensure safety," said Dave Ackison, who chairs the OEL's Contractor Committee. "But this argument doesn't stand up to close scrutiny when placed side by side with the facts. From coast to coast to coast - in Alberta, Nova Scotia, the Northwest Territories and five other provinces and territories - the journey person-apprentice ratio is 1:1. Even in Ontario, small electrical contractors with up to two electricians are permitted a 1:1 ratio."
Mr. Ackison concluded his remarks by pointing out that in none of these places is safety an issue. In fact, some electricians argue that a narrower ratio would give apprentices the opportunity to obtain better on-the-job training by linking each one with a single experienced journey person.
"Changing the apprenticeship ratio from the current 3:1 to 1:1 involves a simple administrative step by Ontario's Minister of Training, Colleges and Universities," OEL Contractor Government Relations Committee Chair Walter Pamic said. "There is nothing stopping him from exercising his authority to change the ratios at any time. We can't afford to sit around and do nothing while our young people sit at home, unemployed and discouraged. It's just not fair. That's why we're calling on the Premier to do the right thing and instruct Minister Milloy to make the necessary changes now."
The Ontario Electrical League is a non-profit, provincial organization with over 2,500 members. For more information, please visit their website at oel.org.
To access the advertisements, please log onto the campaign website at supportontarioyouth.ca.
Backgrounder
Bad government policy keeps thousands of young people from working:
The rationale for a 1:1 apprenticeship ratio is strong:
Contact:
Stephen Skyvington
Phone: (416) 985-2239
(August 29, 2011, Toronto, Ontario) - The contractors of the Ontario Electrical League (OEL) announced the launch of their first ever public relations campaign today. The campaign, which begins this week and features radio ads, pamphlets and print ads, focuses on the issue of apprenticeship ratios and the Ontario Government's reluctance to change them from the current ratio of 3:1 to 1:1.
"The future of our young people is of vital importance to all of us," OEL President Stephen Sell said. "That's why the contractors of the Ontario Electrical League have decided to break new ground and launch this campaign. And while not an endorsement of either of the other two political parties, the campaign does ask Ontarians to stop and think about the decisions that are being made by Premier McGuinty and his government, and how they will affect youth unemployment."
Mr. Sell went on to explain that to become a fully-certified electrician requires a multi-year apprenticeship with on-the-job training. The Ontario government's requirement for three certified electricians per apprentice is unfair to thousands of young people and the small businesses that want to hire them. Ontario can move immediately to a 1:1 ratio like almost all other provinces and territories, literally with the stroke of a pen.
"Ontario's Minister of Training, Colleges and Universities John Milloy claims that the current ratio is in place to ensure safety," said Dave Ackison, who chairs the OEL's Contractor Committee. "But this argument doesn't stand up to close scrutiny when placed side by side with the facts. From coast to coast to coast - in Alberta, Nova Scotia, the Northwest Territories and five other provinces and territories - the journey person-apprentice ratio is 1:1. Even in Ontario, small electrical contractors with up to two electricians are permitted a 1:1 ratio."
Mr. Ackison concluded his remarks by pointing out that in none of these places is safety an issue. In fact, some electricians argue that a narrower ratio would give apprentices the opportunity to obtain better on-the-job training by linking each one with a single experienced journey person.
"Changing the apprenticeship ratio from the current 3:1 to 1:1 involves a simple administrative step by Ontario's Minister of Training, Colleges and Universities," OEL Contractor Government Relations Committee Chair Walter Pamic said. "There is nothing stopping him from exercising his authority to change the ratios at any time. We can't afford to sit around and do nothing while our young people sit at home, unemployed and discouraged. It's just not fair. That's why we're calling on the Premier to do the right thing and instruct Minister Milloy to make the necessary changes now."
The Ontario Electrical League is a non-profit, provincial organization with over 2,500 members. For more information, please visit their website at oel.org.
To access the advertisements, please log onto the campaign website at supportontarioyouth.ca.
Backgrounder
Bad government policy keeps thousands of young people from working:
- Ontario has the highest apprenticeship ratios in Canada.
- The Ontario government urges young people to go into the skilled trades, then prevents them from working.
- The government spends millions of dollars on skilled trades training programs, then closes the door on jobs.
The rationale for a 1:1 apprenticeship ratio is strong:
- Right now, thousands of would-be electrical apprentices are looking for jobs. They want to work, but because of unfair apprenticeship ratios, they can't.
- Ontario's independent electrical contractors have thousands of apprenticeship job openings now. They are ready to hire.
- There is a large skilled trades workforce shortage, and it is growing bigger each and every day.
- Electrical apprentices in the many jurisdictions with a 1:1 ratio have a good safety record, produce high quality work, and progress well to full certification. Even in Ontario, a 1:1 ratio is permitted for small electrical contractors with up to two electricians, without safety concerns.
- For those fortunate enough to find apprentice jobs, electrical work is a great career choice.
Contact:
Stephen Skyvington
Phone: (416) 985-2239
