Ryerson University and Hammer Heads Announce Construction Trades Partnership to Support Youth Employment
October 7, 2020/ Toronto – Today, Ryerson University announced a new partnership with Hammer Heads, an organization that helps disadvantaged youth gain skills for work in the building trades and creating registered apprenticeship careers in the construction industry. Under the terms of the partnership, Ryerson University will evaluate apprenticeship programs and other socio-economic initiatives by prospective suppliers before selecting one to develop community benefits plans with, including new apprenticeship opportunities.
“Ryerson University has long been committed to creating pathways to education and, ultimately, employment,” says President Mohamed Lachemi. “By partnering with Hammer Heads we can create meaningful opportunities for local community members to gain experience and skills by working on our on-campus construction projects.”
Hammer Heads was created by the Central Ontario Building Trades in 2009 to support at-risk youth aged 18-26 from under-resourced and Aboriginal communities. Incorporating intense health and safety training, mandatory academic upgrading, green training and life skills, the program exposes youth to a variety of construction trades, ensuring they have the necessary social and professional skills to successfully obtain a rewarding full-time career in construction.
“Hammer Heads is thrilled to be partnering with Ryerson on their construction projects moving forward and applauds them for taking a leadership role in their community, not just by educating their students, but by offering local opportunities through a partnership with Hammer Heads for young people to gain a career in the skilled construction trades. By working together, we can change the landscape of the construction industry and make an everlasting impact on the lives of many young people in need,” says James St. John, Director at Hammer Heads, and Business Manager and Financial Secretary at Central Ontario Building Trades (COBT).
Since 2009, Hammer Heads has helped 502 apprentices get their start in the construction trades, including 21 women. The program now takes in up to 90 new students per year.
As a committed city builder, Ryerson is always looking for opportunities to partner with like-minded organizations to bring skilled, creative solutions to the challenges faced by Toronto and urban centres around the world.
“Ryerson understands the power of education to transform lives, communities, cities and societies,” says Lachemi. “Tackling real-world problems, forging strong partnerships and fostering innovative solutions, is how we will build a sustainable and prosperous future for all.”
About Hammer Heads
Hammer Heads has started 502 apprenticeships and has been instrumental in dramatically decreasing the demand for social assistance. To date, 158 Hammer Heads graduates no longer require the support of Ontario Works for an approximate savings of just over $4 million and counting.
About Ryerson University
Ryerson University is Canada's leader in innovative, career-oriented education. Urban, culturally diverse and inclusive, the University is home to more than 46,000 students, including 2,900 Master's and PhD students, 3,800 faculty and staff, and over 200,000 alumni worldwide.
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For more information:
Surbhi Bir, Ryerson University
surbhi.bir@torontomu.ca