Recently I introduced a private members bill in the legislature dealing with establishing a new apprenticeship program for people working in the fuel industry that the Minister of Training Colleges and Universities has just confirmed will be implemented.

Minister Chambers wrote me a letter on June 6 th in which she stated “we will be moving forward immediately to establish a program for the new trade of Fuel Technician. … Ministry staff expect to have the new trade implemented by the end of 2005.

This is terrific news for the fuel and heating industry in Ontario. I am proud to have played a role in convincing the government to move forward with the development of this apprenticeship program.

Fuel technicians work with natural gas and oil fueled furnaces. They install them, repair them, and remove them. They also work with air-conditioners and ventilation systems. They enter our homes, schools, and businesses and provide essential services to us all. The materials that fuel technicians work with require them to be highly trained individuals.

Speaking with local business owners, I learned that getting the required training and certification to work as a fuel technician is a necessity with many challenges. However, receiving the required training has been very difficult. Obtaining the required training is absolutely necessary as fuel technicians must comply with rigorous safety standards and demonstrate that they are certified to service our furnaces, air conditioners and heating systems.

Often, people working in this field have to quit their jobs in order to return to school, to upgrade their certifications or to complete base training requirements. Additionally, employers are having difficulty finding qualified staff.

When the apprenticeship program is in place employers will be able to take advantage of the tax credits for training new apprentices and people who are working towards certification will have access to all the supports that exist for people who are pursing apprenticeships.

Private Members Bills are an important part of the legislative process in Ontario. Each session, MPPs are allowed to introduce Private Members Bills and they participate in a draw to determine the order in which they can bring forward items for debate. The Apprenticeship and Certification Act was debated on May 12, 2005. The rapid response on the part of the Minister clearly shows that there was a need for this type of program.

When a MPP brings forward a Private Members Bill, there are two ways that that bill can succeed. One of the ways is for the bill to pass into law, and the other is for the government to act on the matter the bill addresses themselves. It is a rare occurrence for either of these things to happen.

This is going to make a very real difference in the lives of people who are pursuing careers in the heating and air conditioning fields. Ontario is looking at a forecasted potential shortfall of one million skilled workers by the year 2020 and increasing demands for qualified people to service our furnaces, air-conditioners, and heating systems. This initiative provides a proactive solution.

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For More Information Contact:
Laurie Scott, MPP
Haliburton-Victoria-Brock
(416) 325-2008
(705) 324-6654