As part of Ontario’s skilled trades and apprenticeship modernization initiative, the Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities is appointing two new training and skills advisors to help make the skilled trades and apprenticeship system more user friendly. Adam Melnick and Andrew Pariser will brief the Minister, engage industry and stakeholders, and work to implement changes to the system.

Adam Melnick is the current Director of Government and Community Relations for the Heat and Frost Insulators and Allied Workers, Local 95 Ontario. Previously, he held the roles of elected Business Agent, Director of Apprenticeship and Training, and Instructor for this local for nearly a decade. He holds an Ontario Certificate of Qualification as a Heat and Frost Insulator and a diploma in Recreation and Leisure Services from Sir Sandford Fleming College.

As a Journeyperson and advocate for the skilled trades, Adam also spends time promoting and engaging educators, students and community partners around the opportunities that are available in the skilled trades. He also hosts and produces the Accidental Apprentices Podcast – Odd Jobs Explored.

Adam is a resident of Durham Region, where he serves on the Board of Directors for the Durham Workforce Authority and on the Program Advisory Committee for Durham College’s Construction Management degree program. He also serves on the Boards of Directors for the Toronto Community Benefits Network and Buildforce Canada.

Andrew Pariser is the vice-president of Residential Construction Council of Ontario (RESCON), specializing in training and apprenticeship, health and safety, and labour relations. Andrew is the chair of both the RESCON Health and Safety committee and Training and Apprenticeship committee and sits on three program advisory committees (PACs) at Durham, Humber, and George Brown College.

Previously, he was appointed to the Ministry of Advanced Education and Skills Development (MAESD) Planning and Partnership Table as well the Highly Skilled Workforce Committee which focused on the future of work in Ontario.

Andrew’s passion for all issues related to apprenticeship and skilled trades began during his eight years with the Ontario Ministry of Labour in the mediator services division, where he interacted with all sectors of Ontario economy including industrial, services, automotive, and construction. This passion continued with his appointment to the International Foundation of Employee Benefits Plan (IFEBP) Apprentice, Training and Education Board (2017-2018) and IFEBP Canadian Board (2018-2021).

Andrew graduated from Queen’s University with a BAH (Economics and Geography) in 2006 and again in 2007 with a master’s in Industrial Relations.

www.news.ontario.ca