Education is another big stigma revolving around skilled trades. There are many misconceptions about the type of education needed to become qualified within this sector as many skilled trades professions are incorrectly seen as for people who are low-skilled and lack long-term career prospects (Government of Ontario, 2021; Government of Ontario, 2022). Trades careers are largely seen as the ‘alternative’ career when individuals are not successful in the more ‘professional’ careers that are based on financial viability and exponential long-term growth opportunities, which are considered for the more traditional and hierarchical education (Howe et al., 2023).
Previous research has revealed that despite the high levels of training and complex skills required for the skilled trades, the presumption of the level of intelligence thought to be necessary for the trades has produced an identity crisis among students when considering the skilled trades as a viable career path (Gatti, 2023). While some students know these assumptions are not valid and take on a sense of trade pride (i.e., their pride is rooted in the perception of the trades being a ‘divergent pursuit’), some students may internalize these social perceptions and experience conflicting feelings about their place in the skilled trades (Gatti, 2023).
| Myth | Fact |
|---|---|
| The skilled trades are for students who don’t have the grades for any other programs and can’t make it into university | The skilled trades require problem-solving skills, communication, critical thinking, and the ability to work with sophisticated systems and technology |
| The skilled trades don’t pay well | The skilled trades are currently in demand in Ontario, with salaries potentially being higher than expected. As tradespeople gain more expertise and climb the ranks, you may reach a very well-compensated salary |
| The skilled trades are just a job, not a long- term career | The skilled trades are a stable career option that has opportunities for growth and long- term career prospects |
| The skilled trades are just low-skilled, dirty, manual labour jobs | The skilled trades encompass a wide range of professions, many of which involve specialized training in precision, knowledge, and technical skills |
These gravely dangerous misconceptions point to a lack of awareness and exposure to the skilled trades and the educational pathway. Many apprentices have reported that this misconception has led to being looked down upon by friends and family (Government of Ontario, 2022). Despite the amount of training needed, the complexity of work within the skilled trades, and the fact that skilled trades require higher levels of STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) courses due to technological advances in our world, the perception of the trades being a less acceptable route of education remains strong (Gatti, 2023; Nadrowski, 2019).
Spotlight
A collaboration between Cambrian College and CMHA (Canadian Mental Health Association) Sudbury/Manitoulin has focused its efforts on Cambrian trades students. This campus-community partnership delivered workshops on mental health to Cambrian trade students, providing them with resources and tools to de-stigmatize mental health and substance use, and provide a pathway for support.
