December 7, 1998
(Education)

Programs first to receive new apprenticeship accreditation from government

Education Minister Roger Grimes, today presented the Carpentry and Joinery Program offered by the Carpenters Training Institute in Mount Pearl and the Hairstylist Program offered by the Grand Falls-Windsor Campus of Academy Canada, with a three-year accreditation from the Provincial Apprenticeship Board. They are the first two trades programs to receive accreditation under this apprenticeship project.

The Apprenticeship Accreditation Project, which began in January 1998, helps with ensuring program quality, program development, career mobility, employment satisfaction, and professional certification. The accreditation process is also industry-driven. Members from the business and industry sector volunteer their professional services to conduct site audits and programs must meet high national standards and graduates must have the experiential hours to qualify to write certification exams.

"Accreditation is bringing a greater level of accountability to training institutes and this is a direction we would like to see all programs taking," said Education Minister Roger Grimes. "The industry will have even more confidence in hiring graduates that are meeting national standards as required under accreditation programs."

The accreditation process usually takes between six months to a year and the Department of Education, acting on behalf of the Provincial Apprenticeship Board, is taking the lead role in the implementation and administration of the overall project.

"I am pleased to see these two trades program taking the lead in seeking and gaining accreditation status," said Mr. Grimes, "and I am confident that more programs will be moving in this direction in the future."

Media contact: Carl Cooper, (709) 729-0048.

1998 12 07                    12:05 p.m.