CaDCR staff writer
The Ontario government is making it easier for Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) members, their spouses and veterans to start careers in the skilled trades with free training.
Initiatives are among proposals in the Honouring Veterans Act, 2024 that if passed, would honour all veterans.
“From our consultations with soldiers, their spouses and veterans, we heard that their biggest challenges when returning home are finding careers that recognize their military skills and experience, without burdensome red tape and delays,” said David Piccini, Minister of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development. “That’s why our government has introduced the Honouring Veterans Act to formally recognize certain military trades with their civilian trades equivalent and help them start their civilian careers in the trades.
“We have a social contract with our servicemen and women who serve to protect us, and that means we have a responsibility to ensure they have a life to return to when their service is complete – our government is proud to uphold that social contract with this new bill.”
Following consultations with CAF members, military spouses and veterans, the legislation proposes changes to accelerate credential recognition for veterans and military spouses who are regulated professionals from other provinces and relocating to Ontario. This would reduce the impact of frequent moves on military spouses.
For example, a CAF member who was a material technician responsible for repairing and maintaining vehicles in the armed forces would have a clear path to have their credentials and experience recognized to work as a civilian welder.
The government is also proposing changes to formally recognize military trade credentials for their civilian trade equivalent. Under Skilled Trades Ontario’s (STO) credential recognition process, individuals holding certain military trade credentials can be approved to take the certifying exam to obtain their Certificate of Qualification in a corresponding civilian trade. CAF members, spouses and veterans would also be able to connect to employment services prior to moving to Ontario, to help secure careers locally in their communities.
Ontario is also building on Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition (PLAR) processes at publicly-assisted colleges and universities, to recognize the valuable learning experiences of Canada’s Armed Forces veterans. This will ensure they benefit from taking less time to complete their degrees or diplomas, and pay less tuition, while employers gain access to more highly skilled workers sooner. Veterans would be able to secure course credits for their prior experiences based on established criteria that align their previous learning with the skills and knowledge required by their program.
“By making it easier for veterans to earn credits for university and college programs in Ontario based on their past education, work experience and military training, we are creating a win-win for both veterans and employers,” said Nolan Quinn, Minister of Colleges and Universities. “Veterans are some of the sharpest and bravest members of our society — let’s help them get stable careers when they return from service and allow our economy to benefit from their immense talent.”
If passed, legislative changes would codify nine military trades with their civilian equivalent recognized by STO, including: Construction Technician, Cook, Electrical Distribution Technician, Electrical Technician, Material Technician, Marine Engineering Technician, Plumbing and Heating Technician, Refrigeration and Mechanical Technician and Vehicle Technical.
“Helmets to Hardhats Canada is honoured to receive this support from the Ontario government, which will allow us to help more veterans transition into meaningful careers in Ontario’s unionized construction sector,” said James Hogarth, Executive Director, Helmets to Hardhats. “This investment ensures that our programs remain sustainable, empowering those who served our country to access employment and training resources that will lead them to in-demand careers as skilled trade professionals.
“We are proud to support those who served our country as they build secure and rewarding futures in civilian life.”
