The Skilled Trades Shortage Isn’t Over. It’s Changing.
Ontario’s manufacturing workforce is showing an interesting trend. The number of vacant manufacturing positions has dropped significantly, but that doesn’t necessarily mean the skilled-labour problem has disappeared.
A recent Global News article looking at Ontario’s manufacturing workforce points to a continuing challenge: manufacturers still have difficulty finding experienced people in skilled trades such as welding, electrical work and mechatronics.
At the same time, thousands of experienced manufacturing workers are reaching retirement age every year.
So what is happening?
Fewer Vacancies Doesn’t Mean More Skilled Workers
Ontario’s manufacturing job vacancy rate has fallen from 4.7% in 2022 to 1.7% at the end of 2025. On the surface, that sounds like the labour shortage is improving.
But there is another side to the numbers.
Manufacturing has also been dealing with slower production, trade uncertainty, tariffs and temporary layoffs. When production slows, companies may stop hiring or reduce their workforce. That lowers the number of vacant positions without necessarily solving the underlying shortage of skilled workers.
And when experienced tradespeople retire, their knowledge and productivity leave with them.
For manufacturers, the challenge becomes finding ways to maintain production with the skilled people they already have.
This Is Where Automation Can Help
Automation isn’t about replacing every welder in the shop. In many cases, it is about making better use of the welders you already have. A robotic or cobot welding system can take on repetitive, production welding while skilled welders concentrate on the work that actually requires their experience: complex fabrication, fitting, troubleshooting and jobs that change from one part to the next.
For repeat parts, the advantages are straightforward:
- Consistent welds
- Repeatable production
- Increased welding capacity
- Less time spent on repetitive work
- Reduced pressure to find additional skilled welders
- The ability to handle production runs without tying up your best welder
The goal isn’t to replace skilled trades. The goal is to get more production out of the skilled tradespeople you already have.
A Different Approach to Automation
For many smaller manufacturers and welding shops, purchasing a robot can be a significant investment. There is the equipment, programming, training, maintenance and floor space to consider.
That’s where Plan B Metalworks comes in. Instead of purchasing and operating your own robotic welding system, you can send your repeat welding work to us. You provide the parts and drawings. We handle the robotic welding and return completed parts to you.
Whether it’s a short production run, ongoing repeat work or overflow when your shop is already busy, robotic welding can provide additional capacity without adding another employee or making a major capital investment.
The Manufacturing Workforce Is Changing
The labour market will continue to change. Trade uncertainty, retirements, immigration, technology and changing production levels will all play a role in how Canadian manufacturers operate.
One thing is becoming increasingly clear: manufacturers will need to find ways to do more with the skilled people they have.
Automation is one piece of that solution.
At Plan B Metalworks in Niverville, Manitoba, we’re focused on making robotic welding practical for manufacturers and welding shops. No robot purchase. No additional employee to hire. Just consistent, repeatable welding capacity when you need it.
If your skilled welders are spending too much time welding the same parts over and over, let’s talk.