Unifor 444 is partnering with St. Clair College to close a large gap in skilled trades.
The union is donating $75,000 toward the skilled trades and apprenticeship programs.
College President Patti France says the college is honoured to have the union's partnership and will call on its leadership to help with programs and projects.
France says retiring baby boomers are leaving vacancies across all sectors and the Windsor area is no exception.
"There's an alarming generational skills gap in skilled trades and occupational fields involving science, technology, engineering and mathematics," says France.
Unifor 444 is partnering with St. Clair College to close large gap in skilled trades. July 4, 2017. (Photo by Paul Pedro)
France says enrolment in skilled trades is starting to increase.
The Windsor-Essex Regional Chamber of Commerce estimates the local economy is losing $600-million a year because of a lack of skilled trades workers.
France says the union's commitment to education is a commitment to our community's future well being, its economy, its young people, and its standard of living.
"The message that this dire shortfall equals a significant opportunity is at long last getting across to our young people. They know now that these openings constitute lucrative careers," France says.