Newspaper Article

As the opposition critic for Training, Colleges, and Universities, I am pleased to have introduced a piece of legislation that was inspired by a local concern in our community. On Wednesday, April 27th, I introduced a Private Members Bill. Private Members Bills are introduced by individual MPPs to call attention to concerns raised by constituents and to help introduce legislation that responds to the needs of Ontarians.

The Bill that I introduced is one that addresses a problem brought to my attention by some local small business owners in our community, and if passed, this bill would be the first step in gaining recognition for a new apprenticeship program. Right now, people who work with and service natural gas and oil fired appliances must hold particular gas and oil burner technician certificates, designating them as qualified trades people able to work in the industry. Currently, the training courses, which are required to be taken in order for trades people to work in the industry, are not part of an apprenticeship program in the province of Ontario.

Small businesses that service furnaces and air-conditioners have employees that require proper training and certification. Young adults coming out of high school are looking at the skilled trades as a place for future employment. The two million Ontario homes, businesses and industries that extensively use natural gas need capable and qualified technicians available.

The fuel industry is one that touches us all as our furnaces come on in the winter and our air-conditioners are powered in the summer. It is also an industry that requires an utmost regard for public safety. Oil and natural gas are an integral part of our daily lives and as such, we need a clear path in our education system in order to provide properly trained and certified technicians to work in this field and to ensure that there is a steady stream of qualified and properly trained fuel technicians.

Working towards the development of an apprenticeship program that would produce qualified and certified fuel technicians is a laudable goal that would well serve people already working in the trade. It would also open a door for young adults to enter this industry that holds a range of exciting opportunities. As industry, colleges in Ontario, and the people who work in this field every day support the development of a new apprenticeship program, I look forward to the government working with these groups to achieve this goal. A new apprenticeship program where fuel technicians can combine on-the-job training and acquire in-school instruction is an initiative that I am pleased to support.