Hamilton, ON – The CFL Players’ Association (CFLPA) is proud to announce a new partnership with Canada’s Building Trades Unions (CBTU) and SkillPlan to provide all CFLPA members access, through The CFLPA Academy, to training and apprenticeships in the unionized skilled trades.
Through this partnership, CFLPA members will have access to exploring the opportunities that exist in the over 60 different skilled trades that make up the CBTU, including access to SkillPlan’s workforce development programming for the necessary skills to enter the trades. They will also have access to the many local unions and training centres located in communities all across Canada.
“We are proud to partner with Canada’s Building Trades Unions and SkillPlan. These partnerships provide CFLPA members further opportunities to enter career training and participate in workforce development through our growing suite of Academy partners,” said Brian Ramsay, CFLPA Executive Director.
Once registered, CFLPA members will gain access to explore various trade opportunities in unionized construction and choose a trade of interest, have their foundational skills levels assessed for entrance into a particular apprenticeship program, get connected to unions and job opportunities, and have access to mentorship programming.
“Canada’s Building Trades Unions are proud to partner with the CFLPA and SkillPlan to support players in finding opportunities in the unionized skilled trades,” said Sean Strickland, Executive Director, Canada’s Building Trades Unions. “With over 195 training centres across the country, the Building Trades are long-standing leaders in producing the best-trained, safest workforce in the construction industry. By entering the skilled trades, players will have the opportunity to engage in a rewarding career, receive on-the-job training and mentoring, and access to unique job opportunities to build this country – from our roads and bridges, to mega energy projects from coast to coast.”
“We are pleased to be a part of this important initiative to help CFLPA members gain the skills they need to successfully enter into and succeed in a career in the unionized construction industry,” said Kyle Downie, CEO of SkillPlan. “Partnering with the CFLPA and CBTU not only helps support CFLPA members through and beyond their apprenticeships, but helps meet the growing labour demand in the unionized skilled construction trades.
Collectively, CBTU and SkillPlan, with contractor and employer partners, invest in and grow the skilled trades workforce to meet labour market demands; through this partnership, CBTU and SkillPlan will help equip CFLPA members to pursue a career in the unionized construction industry.
Every current CFLPA member, and many alumni, has access to The Academy and can access a growing roster of accredited educational institutions in the U.S. and Canada, enroll in a growing roster of specialized certification and certificate programs that are gateways to future career paths, or take advantage of online learning opportunities that can help provide new advantages for them and their families.
About Canada’s Building Trades Unions
Canada’s Building Trades Unions (CBTU) are an alliance of 14 international unions in the construction, maintenance and fabrication industries that collectively represent over 600,000 skilled trades workers in Canada. Each year, our unions and our signatory contractor partners invest over $300 million in private sector money to fund and operate over 195 apprenticeship training and education facilities across Canada that produce the safest, most highly trained and productive skilled craft workers found anywhere in the world. Canada’s Building Trades Unions represent members who work in more than 60 different trades and occupations, and generate six per cent of Canada’s GDP. For more information, go to www.buildingtrades.ca
About SkillPlan
SkillPlan is a nationally recognized leader in workforce development programs. With over 30 years of experience, SkillPlan provides workforce development services and resources to the construction industry, with a focus on pinpointing foundational skills problems, addressing learning challenges and delivering industry-specific educational programs to help workers succeed in technical training and on the job. SkillPlan serves 14 international unions and their affiliated training centres and contractors.
About the CFLPA
The Canadian Football League Players’ Association (CFLPA) is the union for professional football players in the Canadian Football League (CFL). Since 1965, the Association has worked to establish fair and reasonable working conditions while protecting the rights of all CFL players. In addition to negotiating and enforcing the terms of the Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA), the CFLPA provides a variety of member services, builds corporate and community partnerships and works diligently for the betterment of its membership. Find us online at cflpa.com
For more information:
Jason Langvee, CFLPA Office, j.langvee@cflpa.com, 1-800-616-6865
Kate Walsh, CBTU, kwalsh@buildingtrades.ca, 613-298-0652
