2 IB OPINION: FUTURE OF WORK Oakville Beaver | Thursday, February 16, 2023 | MONTE MCNAUGHTON Column The way we work has FUTURE OF WORK i , one in five new jobs will bein the skilled trades, with almost 100,000 jobs needing to be filled in con- struction alone. Without these workers, it will take us longer to build roads, public transit and schools, it will be harder to improve oO been changing, and the last ur health-care system and few years have only accel- _ the cost of living for fami- erated these changes. lies will go up even more. Where we work, how we At the same time, too work and the meaning we many people are strug: find in what we doallneed _ gling to find good jobs. to adapt, b i my that doesn’t work for workers, doesn’t work at all. Ontario is facing the largest labour shortage in a generation, particularly in our skilled trades. By and help workers get ahead, our government is investing $1.5 billion over four years to help young people discover the skilled trades and gain the skills they need. Working in the paces? is arewarding, well- ing and in-demand ca- reer AS the premier says — when you have a job in the trades, you have a job for fe. Working together with our and business, we can end the stigma around the trades, simplify the sys- tem to get into the trades, and encourage employer participation in training. To build a better Onta- rio, we need to bring better jobs and bigger pay- cheques within reach for everyone, especially those who have been left behind. As part of our govern- ment’s two Working for Workers bills, we intro- duced numerous changes that lead the way in North America and put workers in the driver’s seat We provide: and so much more environment FOR EMPLOYERS Financial incentives (up to $20,000*) so Integrate apprentices into your workplace! Get to know the benefits of the Red Seal APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAM Contact us today: 437-332-2128 HIRE AN APPRENTICE - A SMART BUSINESS MOVE Looking to attract and retain good workers? u can hire with confidence and sponsor apprentices « We help you recruit motivated Red Seal skilled trades jobseekers. « An Employer Resources Toolkit, Diversity, Inclusiveness and Equity (DEI) training for SMEs, Labour and Employment Laws (LEL) for HR training « Access to our Employer's Resource Kit on creating an inclusive *Terms and Conditions Apply insidehalton.com We will help you find the best candidate for your Red Seal skilled trades operations from our existing databases that matches candidates to your business needs. Hire an apprentice today! ALL HANDS ON DECK: BUILDING AN ONTARIO THAT WORKS FOR EVERYONE of their future. For example, we intro- duced the Right to ee nect. After working all to provide for their fant lies, workers should have the right to put their devic- es away so they can spend time with their family un- interrupt Similarly, we pioneered new regulations around how employers can m¢ tor their employees elec. tronically. Companies with 25 or more employees are required to publish a writ- ten policy on electronic monitoring. This will en- sure that their workers are aware of how they are mon- itored through company devices. It is an injustice that on- ly a quarter of those who work part-time or in pre- RY Palermo Village RETIREMENT RESIDEN( 3136 Dundas St . W., Oakville, ON | PalermovVillageRetirement.com Mi sty of Labour rahoty Working together with labour and business, Ontario can end the stigma around the trades, simplify the system to get into the trades, and encourage employer participation in trai writes Monte McNaughton. carious jobs have medical insurance and dental bene- fits. Torebalance the scales and give workers the confi- dence they need to drive their careers forward, we are expanding health and dental benefits to more workers regardless of how they work. The type of ben- efits we’re exploring would tie benefits to workers, not employers, allowing them to move between jobs and give workers more certain- Why have the winter blues when you can escape them? More than a place to live, it’s a place to enjoy life and call home. Independent Living | Assisted Care | Short Stay and Respite Call today to book your personal tour (905) 582-0395 months, our government will announce a series of additional changes will rebalance the scales give workers a hand-up, and prepare for the future of work. We will keep fighting for our province’s everyday heroes. Monte McNaughton i. is ing and Skills Develop- ment and the MPP for Lambton-Kent-Middlesex.