CaDCR Construction News staff writer
New registrations in apprenticeship programs across Canada reached rose their highest level in eight years in 2022.
According to Statistics Canada, 81,141 individuals registered in apprenticeship programs last year – 12 per cent more than 2021.
However, registrations remained below pre-pandemic levels.
Elevated levels of job vacancies continued in the trades, transport, and equipment operators and related occupations.
The Stats Can report also show registrations in almost every trade were up in 2022 with carpenters (+28.8%), heavy-duty equipment mechanics (+22.9%) and electricians (+20.4%) recording the largest increases.
Most provinces and territories reported an increase in new registrations to pre-pandemic levels in many areas, especially Alberta where the increase was 51 per cent (+5,349). Quebec (24,723) reported its highest number of new registrations on record in 2022, representing an increase of 2.3% (+558) from the year before. Ontario (+7.2%, or +1,263) and Saskatchewan (+21.9%, or +312) also recorded large gains in the number of new registrations.
Meanwhile, the number of Canadians certifying in the trades remained below pre-pandemic levels.
Statistics Canada suggests this finding may be attributable in part to the impact that the pandemic and its associated public health measures had on certain trades.
The number of certifications in 2022 remained below 2019 levels in all provinces and territories except Ontario, with six provinces reporting decreases in the numbers of certifications compared with the previous year. Ontario reported 13,666 certifications in 2022, exceeding the 13,152 certifications reported in 2019. Increased certifications in electricians (+26.2%) and millwrights (+29.0%) were the primary drivers of this increase.
