Toronto, Ontario — April 8, 2014 — Skilled trades professionals and industry advocates joined together at Queen’s Park today to mark one year anniversary of the Ontario College of Trades.
“For the first time in Ontario, the public can now confirm if a person working in a compulsory trade, whether he or she is an electrician or an automotive service technician, has the certification to do the job through a public register,” says CEO and Registrar David Tsubouchi.
Tsubouchi was joined by hard working tradespeople who came out to show their support for the College, the self-governing regulatory body that allows skilled trades professionals to govern and regulate their own industry, a right that has been enjoyed by many other professions.
“The College has already helped our industry through better enforcement to ensure a level playing field for shops and technicians and giving the industry through our Trade Board a real opportunity to improve training standards to meet future trade needs,” said John Norris, Executive Director of Collision Industry Information Association (CIIA).
The Ontario College of Trades has over 260,000 active members.
There are 22 trades designated as compulsory in Ontario. In order to practice in a compulsory trade, an individual must be one of the following: a licensed journeyperson — a holder of a valid Certificate of Qualification; or a journeyperson candidate; or a registered apprentice with the Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities; or a holder of a provisional Certificate of Qualification.
There are currently 134 trades designated as voluntary. Certification is offered in some voluntary trades, but is not a requirement to practise in the trade.
Auto Body Damage Repair is considered a compulsory trade, while Car Painting is a voluntary one.
For more information, please visit collegeoftrades.ca.
