A free, 16-week course teaching brick and masonry skills to young people will begin in May thanks to a $183,000 investment from the province.
The course will teach basic installation skills and techniques to 14 people, the province and the Brick and Allied Craft Union of Canada Local 5 announced in London Friday.
“We are dealing with a shortage of skilled trade workers and one of the best ways to deal with this is through having training available. In order to do this, you need the expertise, resources and funding,” Brian Pringle, business manager of the union local, said in a statement.
The program is scheduled to begin May 1 and will run until August 18. The provincial funding will cover the cost of the training facility, instructor and the masonry toolkits for participants. Training will take place at the west annex building in London’s Western Fair District.
The 14 participants will graduate into a registered apprenticeship with BACU Local 5 and be employed by a designated contractor operating in London or the surrounding area.
For more information on the pre-apprenticeship program and BACU Local 5, visit baculocal5.ca.