A new survey by 3M shows that 96 percent of Canadians agree that Canada needs more skilled workers, despite the fact that more than three-quarters of those surveyed also said they would never pursue a career in the trades themselves.

The disconnect, highlighted in 3M’s State of Science Index report, suggests an immediate action by Canadian organizations to champion skilled trades and do more to showcase fulfilling career pathways available to young Canadians.

"Getting Canada's youth excited about skilled trades will be critical to ensuring a robust and healthy economy as we emerge from the impact of the global pandemic," said Terry Bowman, Manufacturing and Supply Chain Leader at 3MCanada. "It is imperative Canadian organizations provide equitable access to STEM education to passionate young Canadians interested in pursuing a skilled trade."

Other key fundings from the report suggest further support for careers in the skilled trades – although not as career choices for survey respondents themselves:

• 92% believe there is a lot of opportunity in skilled trades;
• 91% trust vocational/trade schools to give them the education needed to have a successful career;
• 81% believe they would earn as much money in a skilled trade as they would in a career that requires a degree from a traditional university or college; and
• 47% of Canadians who did not pursue a career in a skilled trade said that the top reason was that they had other passions they wanted to pursue for a career.

For its part, 3M says it is committed to supporting and raising awareness of skilled trades by creating five million unique STEM and skilled trades learning experiences for underrepresented individuals by 2025.

"The shortage of skilled professionals in Canada is daunting – misconceptions and lack of awareness surrounding these careers makes it difficult to fill the gaps, but it is important now more than ever that we encourage and support Ontarians pursuing these fields," said Ian Howcroft, CEO, Skills Ontario.  "For over 30 years, Skills Ontario has developed a growing portfolio of programs and initiatives to help students of all ages and backgrounds understand that they can find fulfilling career paths in the skilled trades and technologies. We also provide them, their parents, and their educators information on informative, skill-building programs and work-experience opportunities that can help them pursue these positions. The shortage is a challenge, but it is one we are addressing every day."

3M and Skills Ontario both say the path forward for Canada's skilled trades sector has to start with removing barriers to skilled trades pathways and ensuring the right educational resources reach Canada's youth.

They are calling on Canadian organizations to act now to not only change perceptions of trades and technical programs but also to introduce the field to youth who may not have considered pursing a skilled trade before.