Employers to Help Improve Apprenticeship System

The province wants to hear more from employers and industry on what they can do to ensure apprentices are ready for good jobs in Nova Scotia.

Labour and Advanced Education Minister Marilyn More announced today, Jan. 15, an advisory panel that will gather information about increasing the number employers and graduates in the apprenticeship program.

It is the final phase of the first review of the system in more than 10 years.

"With thousands of good jobs on the horizon, now is the time to really examine the current apprenticeship system to ensure apprentices are getting the best training possible," said Ms. More. "While the current system works well in many ways, we are listening to apprentices, employers and others about challenges, and opportunities for improvement."

Advisory panel members are:

• Nan Armour, Hypatia Association/Women Unlimited
• Alex Paul, Unama'ki Economic Benefits Office
• Brian McCarthy, Irving Shipbuilding
• Corey Bell, J.W. Lindsay Enterprises Ltd.
• Jack Wall, Sheet Metal Workers and Roofers International Association, Local 56 Cape Breton Island
• Heather Cruikshanks, L.E. Cruickshanks Sheet Metal Ltd.
• Rick Clarke, Nova Scotia Federation of Labour
• Don Bureaux, Nova Scotia Community College
• Joe Rudderham, provincial apprenticeship division

"I am really looking forward to the discussions on how we can enhance the province's apprenticeship system for all involved, including women and other under-represented groups," said Ms. Armour. "Current and future employment opportunities for skilled trades workers in Nova Scotia are great. I am optimistic that the work of the panel will increase participation and completion rates of women in apprenticeship programs and anticipate meaningful discussions on how to engage employers and trades workers in the system."

The panel will gather advice from across the province on how to strengthen the apprenticeship system and the employer relationship. It will also examine issues raised through consultations, such as how to get people ready for jobs more quickly with combined training, offering more online options and training programs with other provinces, and raising awareness of career opportunities in the trades.

"Employers are the ones who provide workplace experience, so they play an enormous role in getting apprentices the skills they need for good jobs," said Ms. More. "Without employer support and participation, the system simply doesn't work. The panel will advise how to build better connections with employers, so our apprentices get the best training possible."

During the first meeting later this month, the panel will begin to seek practical short- and long-term solutions that build on what the province has heard from hundreds of apprentices, trainers and employers during the past year.

The apprenticeship review report will be ready in the spring. Strengthening Nova Scotia's apprenticeship system is a priority of the JobsHere strategy to ensure people have the right skills for good jobs.

For more information about apprenticeship, visit www.nsapprenticeship.ca .