CSTEC's Workforce Development Initiative (WDI) Helps Steel Industry Stay on Course with Critical Apprenticeship Strategies
(Last Updated 1/5/2010 The Canadian steel industry has been able to continue its critical skilled trades and apprenticeship strategies despite the severe global economic downturn and the resulting economic uncertainty. An important contributing factor that has allowed the steel industry to stay on track with its apprenticeship plans has been the innovative Workforce Development Initiative (WDI) that was signed between CSTEC and Human Resources and Skills Development Canada (HRSDC) in August 2009. This important agreement allowed CSTEC to provide support to workplaces in the Canadian steel industry to help them retain and expand their number of apprentices. To date, the WDI has resulted in 127 apprentices being recalled from layoff to finish their apprenticeships and 9 new apprentices being hired.

Following the severe economic downturn in the world economy in the fourth quarter of 2008, Canadian steel producers faced a sharp decline in demand and were forced to cut back their production to reduce costs. These cutbacks also meant laying off most of the apprentices in the steel industry. They also meant freezes on the hiring of any new apprentices. Both of these decisions had important implications for the ability of the steel industry to meet its future skilled trade needs that are critical to the future growth and competitiveness of the Canadian steel industry. They also had equally important implications for the futures of steel making communities across Canada.

CSTEC, at the request of the Canadian steel industry, contacted Human Resources and Skill Development Canada (HRSDC) to propose a cost shared agreement that would allow the steel industry to maintain its critical skill trades development strategies during this very difficult and uncertain period. In total, 136 apprentices have either been recalled or hired as a result of the WDI. The workplaces include ArcelorMittal Dofasco (Hamilton, Ontario), Essar Steel (Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario), Evraz (Red Deer, Alberta), Gerdau Ameristeel (Selkirk, Manitoba), Skaw Metals (Edmonton, Alberta), Tenaris (Calgary, Alberta) and USSteel (Hamilton, Ontario). The apprenticeships include industrial electricians, industrial mechanics (millwrights), heavy duty mechanics, machinists, refrigeration and air conditioning mechanics (HVAC), mobile crane operators, fitter welders, crane repairmen and bricklayers.