Changes to Trades Make Training More Accessible

The province continues to break down barriers for apprentices and increase access to opportunities.

Cook, bricklayer, welder and metal fabricator apprentices are now able to work and train more easily across the borders of Nova Scotia, Newfoundland and Labrador, Prince Edward Island and New Brunswick. These are the first of 10 trades to be aligned under the Atlantic Apprenticeship Harmonization Project.

Atlantic trade advisory committees are guiding the work to bring the trades in line, which includes adopting the same education requirements, training and standards, number of hours needed for completion and the sequencing of courses.

"This project demonstrates the real benefits that can be realized when regions come together to address a common need," said Kelly Regan, Minister of Labour and Advanced Education. "Now, if the demand for training isn't high enough in their home province, these apprentices won't have to wait to register or take the training outside the Atlantic region."

Additional changes to the cook trade include blended in-class and online delivery of technical training and flexible scheduling options that will require apprentices to spend less time away from their on-the-job training.

"The harmonization project allows apprentices to continue their apprenticeship and take their technical training without leaving the region," said Terry Gracie, owner of Brimac Masonry Ltd. and industry member of the Atlantic trade advisory committee for the bricklayer trade. "This will help apprentices complete their apprenticeship more quickly and without interruption."

Atlantic trade harmonization work is led by the Atlantic Workforce Partnership, which is helping to build a skilled workforce and promote apprentice mobility across Atlantic Canada. The partnership was established by the Council of Atlantic Premiers in 2012.