Community Employment Resource
Centre
Apprenticeships
– The Nitty Gritty?
We all know that careers in the trades
will be booming with the demand for skilled workers increasing daily. But, did you know that the concept of apprenticeships
originated in medieval times?? Even way
back then it involved hands-on learning and training with an experienced
“master”. Today, in Canada, an
apprenticeship is a partnership between an apprentice (learner), an employer
(master) and the government (funder).
Apprentices earn anywhere from 50 to 80
percent of a qualified licensed journeyman’s wages. The percentage is increased at periodic time intervals based on the
amount of time spent in school and on the job training. The ratio of school to work time is
approximately 15% (approx 8 weeks per year) to 85% respectively. The “Journeyman” title is acquired by
completing a Certificate of Qualifications exam after the schooling is
completed and the required number of hours is logged. Some trades however, are not regulated meaning that the exam is
optional.
Trade apprenticeships allows an individual
to:
§
Earn while
learning (helps control the student loans)
§
Do
satisfying, challenging work
§
Have job
security, a good salary and benefits (a thing of the past in most
occupations!!)
§
Establish a
well-paying career
§
Be
self-employed
§
Teach
§
Enjoy
advancement and management opportunities
So, how do you know if it is for
you??? Complete the following
self-assessment as taken from the Canada Prospects (2002-2003) magazine to help
you answer this question.
Mark an X where you feel most
comfortable for each of the following statements:
|
Definitely |
Not at all |
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| I learn best by doing |
 |
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| I like to problem solve – figuring out
why something doesn’t work or how it can be done better |
|
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|
I like to work with my hands |
|
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|
I find it difficult to sit in a classroom
to learn |
|
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I need to have income while learning |
|
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| I’m good at fixing things |
|
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| I understand what it’s like to work in
the trades |
|
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| I like to learn from people who have
actually mastered the skills I want to learn |
|
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| I want to be my own boss one day |
|
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| I’m not sure what I want to do yet, but I
want to have my journeyman papers so I’ll always have a job |
|
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| Connect all the X’s to make a
profile |
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| m | My profile falls on the left-hand side; I
should give serious thought to an apprenticeship |
m | My profile falls on the right-hand side;
I should realize that an apprenticeship is probably not for me |
|
| m |
My profile is more in the
middle; I should consider an apprenticeship program |
m |
My profile is scattered; I need to do
more research and assessment |
|
For more information, check out: