Government Launches New Apprenticeship Agency

NOTE: A list of the Apprenticeship Agency's board members follows this release.

An industry-led board and acting CEO have been named to lead the new agency that will work to improve Nova Scotia's apprenticeship system.

Beginning July 1, the apprenticeship training division of the Department of Labour and Advanced Education will become a separate agency focused on getting more employers involved and helping more apprentices complete their training.

During a meeting of the HR Committee today, June 24, seven appointments were put forward for the inaugural board.

The board will advise on matters related to the apprenticeship system, and oversee the delivery of the new streamlined, Atlantic Canadian approach to apprenticeship.

They will recruit and oversee the work of trade advisory committees, and recommend the remaining board members to the minister by the fall.

The members are:

• Carol MacCulloch, chair and service sector employee representative
• Bradley Alan Smith, construction sector employee representative
• Brian McCarthy, industrial sector employer representative
• Doreen Parsons, member at large
• Gordon MacLean, member at large
• Heather Cruickshanks, construction sector employer representative
• Rosalind Penfound, member at large

The new acting CEO, Marjorie Davison, will be in place for July 1.

The CEO will work with industry to achieve the goals of the agency, including creating more opportunities for apprentices and giving better access to training so they have the certification and skills they need.

"We've been hearing from industry that changes are needed," said Ms. Davison. "I'm looking forward to working side-by-side with them to direct the changes needed to better serve their needs and those of their current and future apprentices." Recruitment for a permanent CEO is underway, with the intention of having a successful candidate in place later this summer.

Industry recommended the transition of apprenticeship to an agency. The new model will give industry more authority in decision making, which in turn will increase employer involvement in the system.

"We all share the same goal of building our workforce. And, building a workforce is as simple as making sure our people are getting the right skills for the right jobs," said Rhonda Marks, co-owner of Techtronics Machine Works, Musquodoboit Harbour. "This new structure will ensure employers, training partners, apprentices and government are all working together for success."
In the coming months, the agency will develop a plan to attract more members of under-represented groups into apprenticeship, and continue to improve online resources for employers and apprentices.

It will also develop an industry-led strategy that will define employer roles and responsibilities, and identify ways of engaging employers and industry associations to create new apprenticeship opportunities.

"Without employers, apprenticeship simply doesn't work," said Kelly Regan, Minister of Labour and Advanced Education. "When employers are more invested in the system they'll take on more apprentices. That means more opportunities for apprentices to train and complete their training here, training they can use to help the province grow."

For more information on apprenticeship in Nova Scotia visit www.nsapprenticeship.ca .

Apprenticeship Board appointments include:

• Carol MacCulloch (Chair), service sector employee representative, past president of the Construction Association of Nova Scotia (20 years) and advocate for apprenticeship programs including landscape horticulturist

• Bradley Alan Smith, construction sector employee representative, executive director of the Mainland Nova Scotia Building and Construction Trades, community leader, and champion of economic development

• Brian McCarthy, industrial sector employer representative, vice-president of human resources for Irving Shipbuilding

• Doreen Parsons, member at large, manager of Women Unlimited Association and community economic development pioneer

• Gordon MacLean, member at large, past senior labour relations consultant for the province and past director of human resources for Cape Breton University

• Heather Cruickshanks, construction sector employer representative, owner of Cruickshanks Sheet Metal and apprenticeship advocate

• Rosalind Penfound, member at large, vice-president, Academic for the Nova Scotia Community College, past deputy minister of Education and commissioner of the Public Service Commission