With a lack of skilled workers and an abundance of jobs in the trades, Chatham-Kent’s Economic Development department is worried youth aren’t aware that these jobs exist.
Acting Director Stuart McFadden says parents should be talking to their kids about their future.
“I think it’s a conversation we really need to have with our kids about what jobs will be available in the future. It’s important to make sure that we’re sending our kids away to get an education and that there are jobs for them when they come back”, explains McFadden.
McFadden says there are misconceptions that the trades are a dirty job, but that’s simply not the case.
“We had a group of people go on a tour of a tool and die shop not too long ago. They were amazed about how clean it was – it was completely opposite of what they were expecting. I believe there are some misunderstandings about manufacturing and trades jobs because people think they’re dirty jobs – that’s simply not the case”, says McFadden.
McFadden says the Municipality is working on ways to educate youth about jobs in the trades, and making sure experiential learning opportunities are available in the community.
