News Release Archive
EDUCATION/CULTURE--ROUND TABLE-APPRENTICESHIP AND SKILLS TRAINING ------------------------------------------------------------------ The Provincial Apprenticeship Board will hold a Round Table on Apprenticeship and Skills Training, Saturday, Oct. 28, at the Halifax Campus of the Nova Scotia Community College, Bell Road. The objective of the day-long event is to strengthen dialogue among government, industry and tradespeople. The meeting is open to anyone with an interest in apprenticeship and skills training. Theme of the event is "The Changing Face of Apprenticeship", reflecting the need to not only focus on traditional skills, but also on those required to meet the growing demands of a changing workplace. Topics that will be discussed are industry's/government's role in workplace training; delivery models of technical and institutional training; and the changing workplace, considering issues such as new and emerging occupations in high-tech manufacturing and crafts and performing arts. Education and Culture Minister John MacEachern said apprenticeship depends on regular dialogue among government, business and industry. "Apprenticeship is a good option to meet the retraining needs of high-tech and other employers. This round table is an effort to continue the dialogue about apprenticeship and skills training so that the programs can develop and change as needed, to accommodate and keep up with the changing workplace," the minister said. This is the second Round Table on Apprenticeship and Skills Training; the first took place in April 1994. From that meeting a mandate was developed for the then newly formed Provincial Apprenticeship Board, to be proactive and work with all stakeholders to plan training. The role of the apprenticeship board is also to promote the apprenticeship system to the private sector, as well as consider and make recommendations for new occupations to be designated for apprenticeship. The board has surveyed over 800 businesses to find out their views on apprenticeship programs and apprenticeship training in general. Results are still being reviewed, however the initial response appears positive about apprenticeship type training. Apprenticeship is also being discussed with other Atlantic provinces, as well as nationally. Results of Saturday's round table will be brought to a national conference this fall. Registration charge for this one-day venue is $15. Registration begins at 8:30 a.m. -30- Contact: Bernie MacDonald 902-424-0872 trp Oct. 26, 1995