The Dean of Technology and Trades at Thompson Rivers University says there is fear that construction projects in the Kamloops area may be substantially delayed or not taken up due to a lack of skilled trade workers.

Baldev Pooni says the most visible impact is in construction which includes fields like carpenters, plumbers and electricians. “Other kinds of areas that other people don’t notice is also hearing from the industrial community, the larger plants as well looking for people in areas like millwrights, power engineers and instrumentation.” Pooni says TRU is continuing to try and solve the shortage, but there are a number of factors that are at play.

Despite the knowledge that there is a lack of skilled trade workers, there remains a need to get more people into the industry. Pooni says it can be a long process to fill the gap. “If an employer is really looking for a journeyman, looking to go through apprenticeship, you have to anticipate what you need in four years as a journeyman and start an apprenticeship today. The number of people being hired as an apprenticeship is going to depend on how the economy is doing.”

Pooni says there is opportunity for those looking to get started. “As soon as we get enough people to be able to put into a class, we’ll put out an additional class. The Industry Training Authority, which funds our training programs is more than happy to fund additional classes.”