Community Employment Resource Centre
With
the dramatic shortage of skilled trades expected, there has been much focus on
apprenticeships and the corresponding training program. Back in the mid 90’s, the regulation of
apprenticeships switched from the federal government to the provincial
level. Many feel that this was the
start of the trades decline in appeal.
Even to date, with all the publicity regarding the shortages, the
numbers are still looking bleak for new and up coming trades people.
Recent
figures show that while 250,000 people have started various apprenticeship
programs, only 18,260 received certification nationwide. In fact, the motor vehicle and heavy
equipment industry has seen consistent decreases in apprentices. Even construction is down 16% from stats
gathered in 1995.
Why? In many
cases, eager potential apprentices cannot secure the training because they are
unable to find employers to sponsor the on the job training component.
Why? There is
virtually no enticement for employers.
Most of the potential employers are small to medium sized companies and
believe they can’t afford an apprentice.
They cannot afford the time or the money to provide the needed
mentorship nor can they afford to pay an employee who is not fully productive.
Yet 80% of the training is to come from on the job experiences.
Additional
Drawbacks? These would have to include:
§
The fact that each
province and territory has its’ own apprenticeship system, standards and
certifications
§
High schools have
emphasized academic programs so students often are not aware of trade
opportunities until later on
§
Apprenticeships are a
long-term commitment of time and money at an age when youth are developing
other responsibilities
§
Economy driven – when
economy is up, apprentices have a hard time doing class time and when economy
is down, apprentices have difficulties getting their on the job training hours
completed
Where
does this bring us? Many new initiatives have been started
across the country as a result of a major shake up of the current training
programs. The focus is to get more
people interested in the trades and then to make the apprenticeships easier to
complete.
What
is Ontario’s action? The Liberal government as a campaign issue
used apprenticeships. The promise: to double the number of apprentices within
the province over the next decade. This
will potentially open a floodgate of opportunity.
How? The
trend is for provincial governments and schools to work more closely with the
industries. Hopefully this will ensure
that in-class training is more relevant to on the job needs (apprentice becomes
a productive employee) and that the apprentices are covering the full scope of
skills needed for their licensing exams while completing on the job
training. Options include bringing the
trades back into schools or establishing centers of excellence in the schools. The latter is an approach used in Quebec
where students don’t have to find jobs in order to begin trades training and on
the job training begins after classroom study has finished. Alberta’s initiative includes tutoring
students and providing mobile training to remote areas.
There is no doubt that many of the skilled
trades can provide numerous employment opportunities. The catch is going to be in bridging the gap and overcoming the
above-mentioned obstacles for both potential apprentices and the potential
employers. The good news: as a national concern, extensive efforts are
being made by government and industry representatives to work together across
the country in order to generate consistency among the trades and to recognize
the trades as a high paying part of the economy.
For more information, check out the appropriate industry sector council through the Alliance of Sector Council website: www.councils.org.