Improved Apprenticeship System Helps Meet Industry Needs

EDUCATION--Improved Apprenticeship System Helps Meet Industry Needs

A new joint registration agreement signed today, Nov. 17, means more industry involvement in the training of industrial and construction electrician apprentices. The agreement was signed by the Department of Education, the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW), Local 625, and the Construction Management Bureau.

"Nova Scotia has a proven track record of enhancing programs for apprentices", said Rodney MacDonald, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Heritage and acting Minister of Education. "We are looking forward to working together in this new partnership to enhance and improve the program for electrical apprentices."

Through this agreement, the IBEW Local 625 joint apprenticeship training committee, made up of employers and labour representatives, will be responsible for ensuring apprentices are receiving the full scope of practical experience at the work site. The committee will also verify hours worked and on-the-job tasks accomplished, co-ordinate apprentice class registration, facilitate apprentices' attendance in technical training and support apprentice tracking.

"Because of the nature of the construction industry, where employment is seasonal and sporadic, it is difficult for any one employer to assume full responsibility for the training of apprentices throughout their apprenticeship," said Fern Tardif, chair of the committee. "With this agreement, the committee will assume that responsibility which will create continuity and consistency in the training of apprentices for the unionized sector of the construction industry."

The province currently has 13 trade-specific joint registration agreements. As part of the province's commitment to improve the apprenticeship system, this new agreement will further benefit apprentices and industry, by saving time, money and energy. The agreement will create a smoother process for apprentices advancing through the system, and improve success rates on the Interprovincial Standards Examination required to obtain a certificate of qualification in their trade.

Enhancing the apprenticeship system is part of Skills Nova Scotia, the provincial skills initiative. Improvements to apprenticeship include reducing waiting times for training and working with industry to meet labour demands.