Virtual-reality headsets show blueprints to workers as they walk through a construction site. A carpenter plots precise cuts down to the millimeter with the aid of computer-assisted design. A welder performs her job remotely with the help of a robot. Technological change, accelerated by the pandemic, has transformed not only the tools available to tradespeople, but the skills needed to operate them. Today's industrial mechanics, electricians and automotive service technicians must have the digital savvy to operate the electronic-testing equipment, [three-dimensional] 3D technology, and digital diagnostic tools becoming commonplace in the manufacturing and construction sectors. They will also have to brace for frequent retraining on evolving technologies.
Meanwhile, soft skills - critical thinking, curiosity, creativity, problem solving and communication - are more important than ever in an economy that demands collaboration across sectors. These skills will increase in importance as the Fourth Industrial Revolution unfolds. But they won't replace traditional technical ability. A foundational understanding of metallurgy, for instance, will remain crucial to a welder programming a robotic arm. Canada's skilled tradespeople - the welders, machinists, electricians and plumbers that have long been the backbone of our economy - are more critical than ever. In this report, we identify the main challenges facing the sector - the under-representation of women and immigrants, the need to double down on digital training, and the ongoing stigmas surrounding trades careers - and how best to tackle them.
Excerpt from publication.
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