Aiming for more diversity in construction is worthy

Re: Region to study quotas for construction projects — April 26

Waterloo regional councillor Sean Strickland is correct in his proposal to enhance the presence of visible minorities who would be apprentices on regional construction projects.

It is an admirable concept, although using the word “quotas” would undoubtedly raise the hackles of some construction companies who advocate caution and more study into the possibility of training apprentices, underlining the cost and disruption it would cause to their contractors and others.

There is financial assistance available provincially and federally to train fulltime apprentices, with generous enhancements for the employee and employer.

The employer needs only to tap into these incentives to augment their workforce and to gain awareness of the possibility of having trained employees in the future.

The well is empty and can only be replenished by training programs and robust participation.

Forcing quotas is a negative response to a serious problem that will not dissipate any time soon without action. Trades must be a career goal enhanced for satisfaction for the employer and employee. Claude Bernard Kitchener