There has been a lot of speculation and rumour about the new Ontario College of Trades and how it will affect trades people and the companies that employ them. Some have championed the College as a huge step in the right direction towards industry self-governance and reduced government involvement while others worry about potential new fees, the governance and accountability structure, industry representation and the potential influence of special interests. To assist the industry in forming a clearer understanding of the College, the Heating, Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Institute (HRAI) will be hosting information meetings across the province in November. Representatives from the College, as well as the Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities (MTCU), will present the vision and rationale for the new organization and there will an opportunity for questions. The sessions will be held:
November 1, 2012 (GTA/Mississauga); November 8, 2012 (London); November 9, 2012 (Windsor) NEW; November 22, 2012 (Belleville); and November 23, 2012 (Barrie).
For more information on these sessions or how to register, please contact Heather Grimoldby-Campbell at the HRAI office at 800-267-2231, ext. 238, or by e-mail at hgrimoldby@hrai.ca. Registration is also available online.
For more on the Ontario of College of Trades debate check out HPAC’s video interviews of Sean Reid, chair of the Ontario Construction Employers Coalition and Ron Johnson, chair of the Ontario College of Trades board of directors.
