Newly Certified Tradespeople Honoured

More than 20 of the province's newest cooks, plumbers, welders and other newly certified tradespeople were honoured at an apprenticeship event at the Digby Pines on Saturday, May, 8.

The event recognized tradespeople who recently completed a four- year, 8,000-hour apprenticeship training program in one of 53 designated trades including automotive servicing, carpentry, electrical, plumbing, cooking and welding.

"The contribution of skilled tradespeople to the growth and development of our communities is enormous," said Education Minister Jamie Muir. "I applaud the accomplishments of these newly certified tradespeople and know that they have the education and training they need to be successful."

Four awards were presented at the celebration. Awards winners were: Andrew Hill (Weymouth), Apprentice Award of Excellence; John Drish (Halifax Regional Municipality), Mentor/Coach Award of Excellence and Budd Murphy (Kentville), Mentor/ Coach Award of Excellence. Lester Caines (Middleton) was awarded a certificate of recognition for his efforts to improve the apprenticeship system in Nova Scotia.

Apprenticeship combines classroom studies with technical trades training. About 85 per cent of training is done at a job site. The apprentices have an opportunity to earn while they learn and the employers pay wages based on the level of the experience. More than 3,000 workplaces across the province participate in apprenticeship training.

The province revised the Apprenticeship Act in 2003 to lay the groundwork for a new youth apprenticeship program to help young people get on track early for careers in trades.

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.

About 4,800 apprentices are actively participating in the apprenticeship program in Nova Scotia. Since 1937 more than 52,000 certificates of qualification have been issued in Nova Scotia.