Skilled trades need more workers and diversity amid shift to EV: federal minister

As Windsor prepares for a newelectric vehicle battery plant, andthe federal governmentpushesto end the sale of all gasoline-powered vehicles by2035,Canada's labour minister says the country needs more skilled workers, and more diversity among them.

Seamus O'Regan said in a stop in Tecumseh, Ont., on Monday thattheshift to a greener economy will be powered by skilled workers, butthere's a shortage of them in Canada.

He says he hopesto see more diversityin the skilled trades workforce including women, Indigenous people, the LGBTQ community and persons with disabilitiesto help fill the gap.

"Inclusion is really important because it's only when you include everybody that you get the best people," he said.

'This is the future'

Several women interested in skilled trades attended an event atUniforLocal 444's union hall on Monday.

The session offered information about thetradesand afreeCNCindustrial mechanic millwright pre-apprenticeship withWomen's Enterprise Skills Training of Windsor.

MpokelengMakwati, who used to work in call centres,says she's interested in electrical work and wants tobe part of the EV revolution.

"This is the next best thing to do for my career, for myself as a woman and the rest of the world too, you know?" she said. "This is the future."

Jennifer Holland says she'sworked in trades before, and more recently, has worked in seniors' services.

She sees her future back in the trades as well, perhapsin the world of EVs. She saysher whole family was excited to hear about the $4.9-billion Stellantis-LG Energy Solution EV battery plant set to open in 2024.

"That's huge news for everybody in Windsor. That's [an] amazing opportunity,going to bring lots of awesome jobs. It'ssuper exciting. I can't wait. I hope I have an opportunity to work there. I hope all of these ladies do."

Funding for EV chargers snapped up

O'Regan was in the region on Monday,duringCanada's electric vehicle week, to announce there was strong uptake for a program subsidizing the installation of electric vehicle charging stations.

Through the Charge Up Windsor-Essex program, 144 electric vehicle charging stations will be going in to 35 locations around Windsor-Essex

The federal government has pledged $1.7 millionfor the project, money that was expected to last two years but was allocated in about three months.

Asked if more funding would be committed, O'Regansaid, "I think that's definitely the direction we're going in."

Meanwhile, the chief operating officerof Essex PowerCorporation, which is running the program, also says there's a demandforskilled workers.

"I think the challenge is always out there," Steve Ray said. "Ifyou stop looking for the best people then you're going to fall behind, so you can call it a shortage or you can call it constant demand, but we're always looking for good people."