Trades NL says it’s pleased with recent government initiatives to provide greater opportunities for local skilled trades, but a lot more needs to be done.
Trades NL launched its campaign for an NL Benefits Strategy last year, and Executive Director Darin King says he’s pleased to see government respond with priority being given to local contractors in the bidding process for major projects. However, he says, government needs to go further.
He says the piece that is missing is priority given to the local Newfoundland and Labrador workforce.
King says the information they’re getting is that there are very few if any women and Indigenous workers on-site at major projects like the Core Science Building, the school in St. Alban’s, and the province’s long-term care facilities.
He suspects government isn’t even tracking the numbers because there is no requirement for the contractors to hire from specific groups.