TRANSPORTATION LABOUR SHORTAGES
- A diverse and future skilled transportation workforce is critical to Canada’s economy and an efficient supply chain.
- The transportation labour force supports the movement of goods and people for transportation-reliant sectors, including manufacturing, natural resources, and agriculture across the country.
- Transport Canada is working with federal departments, provinces and territories, and industry on solutions to get workers into the sector.
SUPPLEMENTARY MESSAGES
- Structural pressures contributing to labour and skills shortages include an aging workforce, misperceptions about careers in the industry, and the high costs of education and training.
- The department is leveraging technology to modernize certification and licensing processes in both marine and aviation. Transport Canada has also renewed the Marine Training Program which partners with educational institutions to train indigenous Peoples, Northerners, and women for work in the marine sector.
- Budget 2023 announced funding for TC to establish a Transportation Supply Chain Office to work with industry and other orders of government to respond to disruptions and better coordinate action to increase the capacity, efficiency, and reliability of Canada’s transportation supply chain.
SUPPORTING FACTS AND FIGURES
- TC has negotiated a number of reciprocal agreements to recognize certain foreign issued certificates for seafarers in Canada. Currently there are 6 agreements in place with several more under negotiation.
- TC is leveraging technology to modernize the departments certification processes and digitizing its aviation pilot licensing system to help speed up getting new employees into the sector.
- TC has engaged ESDC in several key programming areas. In particular, the Sectoral Workforce Solutions Program (SWSP) provided $46.3M to Trucking HR Canada to support the recruitment, training and onboarding of up to 1,400 new truck drivers and 1,200 workers for other in-demand occupations within the trucking sector. It also provided $39M to the Canadian Council for Aviation and Aerospace (CCAA) to support the design, development, implementation, and evaluation of a new technical training and certification system for key occupations in aerospace which will benefit up to 900 new and current workers across Canada.
BACKGROUND
The National Supply Chain Taskforce released its Final Report in October 2022 including 19 recommendations on addressing labour shortages related to immigration, domestic labour participation, training and education, and the safe adoption of automation.
TC has developed a strategy to contribute to addressing labour and skills shortages consisting of four pillars with an emphasis on the recruitment and retention of underrepresented groups. (1) developing targeted research, data, and analysis; (2) promoting awareness and outreach; (3) addressing the high costs of training and other barriers; and (4) modernizing approaches to regulations.