Apprenticeship Program Improved

More Nova Scotians will get better trades training through improvements in the provincial apprenticeship program.

The improvements will make the apprenticeship system accessible to more people, including youth, and enable them to complete their training in a more timely manner. The changes will also lead to better training through greater industry involvement in course design.

"Revitalizing apprenticeship is a key part of our skills initiative, along with our expansion of the community college and investments in universities," said Education Minister Angus MacIsaac. "With more services for apprentices and a new focus on bringing young people into trades training, we'll have the skilled workers our industries need to be competitive."

Mr. MacIsaac introduced proposed updates to the Act Respecting Apprenticeship and Trades Qualifications today, April 4. The last update to the act was in 1989.

The revised act will lay the groundwork for a new youth apprenticeship program to help young people get on track early for careers in trades. It will be developed and piloted this year.

"I recommend the apprenticeship program, especially for young people, because employers want workers who already have some skills and knowledge," said Paul Goyetche, a third-year carpentry apprentice in Halifax. "There are all kinds of jobs out there for skilled workers, so the earlier you can start, the better."

An assessment of essential literacy and numeracy skills will be done for each new apprentice. Assessments will also be done for those who want to take an exam to become a journeyperson without going through apprenticeship training. Training will be provided for individuals who need to upgrade these skills before they pursue further trades training.

With the revised act in place, these improvements can be added through changes to the regulations.

"To be successful as an industry, we must have skilled employees," said Carol MacCulloch, president of the Construction Association of Nova Scotia. "Government's renewed commitment to the apprenticeship system, combined with active stakeholder participation, will ensure the system is able to meet the needs of employers throughout the province for years to come."

The proposed amendments to the legislation were developed through consultation with industry stakeholders. They identified a need to share the costs of apprenticeship between the apprentice, employer and provincial government.

Fees for training, exams and certifications will be introduced through the Financial Measures Act. Some are changing and others are new. The fees are cost recovery measures and will still be among the lowest in the country.

All revenue generated from the fees will go directly back into the apprenticeship system. The money will create more seats for new apprentices to begin training and existing apprentices to complete their training in a timely fashion.

Improvements to the apprenticeship program are part of the province's Skills Nova Scotia initiative. The initiative involves meeting the skill demands of Nova Scotia's labour market, providing better labour market access and support, and strengthening Nova Scotia's system of lifelong learning opportunities.