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Opinion: We spend billions to recruit tradespeople then abandon them at the finish line

Half of all candidates fail their Red Seal certification exam on the first try. Unlike for professions, there's no real exam prep

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There is no shortage of politicians willing to stand in front of a camera and declare that Canada needs more skilled tradespeople. And they’re right. By most estimates, we face a shortfall of more than 100,000 certified journeypersons over the next decade. Governments have responded with recruitment campaigns, apprenticeship grants and glossy awareness initiatives designed to convince young Canadians the trades are a good career path.

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