By: Pam Wright, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Chatham Voice
A recent skilled trades bootcamp at Postma Heating and Cooling in Chatham drew plenty of interest.
A total of 43 people attended the day-long event at the Chatham business to get a taste of what it’s like working in the trades. There were 23 people enrolled in the plumbing stream, while 20 learned some of the basics about being a millwright.
According to Postma marketing co-ordinator Carissa Gonzalez, the event was intended to showcase what modern skilled trades careers look like, specifically in relation to plumbing and millwright work.
The bootcamp featured hands-on demonstrations, real tools and realistic environments.
“It’s designed to highlight local career opportunities, long-term stability, and the role trades play in supporting our community and economy,” Gonzalez said.
Bootcamps like the one at Postma are part of the provincial push to raise awareness about current and future opportunities in the skilled trades. Officials said Ontario is facing a critical worsening skilled trades shortage with an expected need to recruit 100,000 to 190,000 new workers by 2030-34 to replace retiring workers and to meet infrastructure demands.
