Employment council provides look at jobs, training needed for bridge

Workforce WindsorEssex is putting the word out about jobs that will be in demand for the construction of the Gordie Howe International Bridge so interested locals can begin training.

“Basically what we did is develop a list of jobs that we believe will be used on the Gordie Howe International Bridge Project and identified the skills and local training associated with each of those occupations,” said Tashlyn Teskey, a research associate for service provision with Workforce WindsorEssex, the local employment planning council.

“Because the bridge will take a bit of time to get started, those that are in programs for occupations now will have a bit of head start, and those who can get into them as soon as possible will still likely be able to get onto those projects,” Teskey said.

They have produced a brochure entitled Help Bridge Your City that lists the various jobs in skilled trades and construction and the soft skills, technical skills and foundational skills required for each job.

“We’ve heard from local unions and other companies that are proponents of this project that because of the large scale of the project they will need a lot of people for each occupation and right now we likely don’t have enough to fill those projects, especially with other construction projects that will be happening at the same time,” Teskey said.

“We’re hoping to train everyone locally to start that so we can fill those positions with local positions instead.”

Exactly when the workers will be needed, or how many, remains to be determined.

Among the skilled trades that will be required are CAD designer, fleet mechanic, heavy equipment operator, ironworker, mechanical technologist, millwright, pipefitter and pipe and structural welder.

Among the construction positions that will be available are building technician, carpenter, concrete finisher, concrete paving labourer, cement mason, construction site logistics planner, electrical estimator, field technician and toolroom attendant.

“We’re trying to prepare people as much as we can and as early as possible, so these are jobs that we’ve met with local unions and industry associations, the WDBA (Windsor-Detroit Bridge Authority), and these are occupations that they have agreed on will be needed,” said Teskey.

“A lot of the jobs are going to require physical work, so (younger people) are who we’re likely to aim it at, but a lot of those older workers that have a lot of other experience, that’s a good asset to have as well.”

More information is available online at workforcewindsoressex.com.