Wayne Prins
Executive Director,
CLAC
As labour shortages in the skilled trades continue, here’s how one organization is providing training, mentorship, and apprenticeship.
As one of the largest independent, multisector, national unions in Canada, CLAC delivers skills and safety training programs, health and retirement benefits, and career guidance to over 60,000 workers. Mediaplanet recently spoke with Wayne Prins, CLAC Executive Director, to learn more about the union’s workforce development initiatives as well as its outlook for opportunities in skilled trades across Canada.
What type of workers does CLAC support?
Wayne Prins: We assist workers across a range of sectors including transportation, manufacturing, health care, retail, education, emergency services, and construction. Within construction, CLAC supports workers across all trades, including electricians, carpenters, labourers, equipment operators, welders, plumbers, and pipefitters. Our members are working on some of the biggest infrastructure and resource projects across the country.
Reconciliation with Indigenous communities is a key part of CLAC’s work. How is CLAC accounting for reconciliation?
WP: Our approach to economic reconciliation begins with fostering inclusive, hospitable workplaces. Collective agreements are written to respect Indigenous values and traditions. On some worksites this includes accommodating cultural practices, such as smudging ceremonies.
We also seek to build pathway-to-employment, apprenticeship, and mentoring programs that support meaningful careers for Indigenous people, rather than one-off courses. CLAC works with community leaders and our Indigenous members to identify workforce needs, close skills gaps, and ensure that local workers are prepared for jobs in their communities. This approach has worked well on major developments such as liquefied natural gas (LNG) and mining projects, where early planning has supported sustained Indigenous employment.
Our focus is not only on helping address immediate labour shortages, but also on building a strong long-term solution through training, apprenticeship support, mentorship, and workforce development.
Apprenticeships are vital to growing our skilled trades labour force. What supports does CLAC provide to these individuals?
WP: CLAC’s apprenticeship supports are designed to guide workers from entry-level training through to Red Seal certification and long-term employment. This includes preparatory training for exams, financial support for school fees, grants, mentorship programs, and individualized learning assessments.
A major part of that support comes through CLAC’s apprenticeship coordinators, who deliver what we call a “full wraparound” apprenticeship service model, supporting the entire apprenticeship pathway. Additionally, CLAC’s wall-to-wall model for union representation allows members to develop multiple skills and certifications across different trades, thereby building stronger career mobility.
How are CLAC’s efforts in supporting the skilled trades helping to build Canada’s economy?
WP: Across the country, we’ve invested in programs that help remove barriers and create pathways into the industry. We also recognize that successful workforce development means creating environments where workers feel welcome, supported, and able to succeed long-term. Our Supporting Women in Construction (SWIC) initiative, for example, focuses on mentorship, community building, and supporting women navigating careers in the trades.
Ultimately, CLAC’s approach is centred on building a resilient, adaptable workforce that can contribute to Canada’s prosperity and security through the construction of infrastructure, energy, and industrial projects while helping workers build stable, long-term careers that contribute to stronger communities and personal well-being. Accordingly, our focus is not only on helping address immediate labour shortages, but also on building a strong long-term solution through training, apprenticeship support, mentorship, and workforce development.
To learn more about CLAC’s programs, services, and workforce initiatives, visit clac.ca.
