Construction industry veteran and public servant George Gritziotis has been appointed registrar and CEO of the Ontario College of Trades (OCOT), the professional regulatory body that regulates and promotes Ontario’s 156 trades.
Gritziotis, who replaces outgoing college registrar and CEO David Tsubouchi, will take over effective Oct. 16, 2017.
According to the college, Gritziotis has had extensive experience with labour-management partnerships in the construction, industrial, and services sectors. Specifically, he has worked on human resource development issues.
He’s also managed a number of national industry groups and projects on issues ranging from apprenticeship and training to labor market information.
Most recently, Gritziotis worked at the Ministry of Labour as Ontario’s first Chief Prevention Officer (CPO) and Associate Deputy Minister. As CPO, he worked to prevent and eliminate work-related injury, illness, and fatalities and he led several strategic initiatives to improve the health and safety of Ontario workers. These included the implementation of the province’s first Integrated Occupational Health and Safety Strategy, the Mining Health, Safety and Prevention Review, mandatory health and safety awareness training, and standards for working at heights.
Don Gosen, chairman of the OCOT board of governors, said ….
“With George’s extensive industry and government experience, he’s a natural fit to lead the College,” he said.
For his part, Gritziotis said he feels honored to take on the new position with OCOT and offer his knowledge and appreciation of apprenticeship, the skilled trades, health and safety, and working with government.
“I look forward to working with the board of governors, divisional and trade boards, staff, government, stakeholders, and of course members, to create an environment where the skilled trades professionals’ workforce is known globally for its commitment to excellence and safety,” he said.
As a first of its kind in Canada, the College is an industry-driven organization that protects the public interest by regulating and promoting the skilled trades.
David Tsubouchi announced his intention to retire in June.
Gosen himself is new in his position as chairman of the board of governors. He took over from Pat Blackwood on Sept. 1.
Gosen is an electrician by trade, and the former president of Gosen Electric Limited, a non-unionized electrical company providing service to residential, commercial and residential dwellings across the Waterloo Region.
As chair, he will oversee board meetings and represent the college in various stakeholder engagements while providing leadership in the management and administration of the college’s regulatory and business operations.
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