Minister announces apprenticeship forums for employers

Sandra C. Kelly, Minister of Youth Services and Post-Secondary Education, today announced that beginning January 20 the department will hold forums in six locations in the province to promote the value of apprenticeship to employers.

"Given the anticipated skills shortage within the next five to 10 years, along with major resource projects such as Voisey�s Bay and White Rose coming on stream, it is important that we encourage apprenticeship participation," said Minister Kelly. "Our goal is to encourage employers to support apprentices in becoming certified journeypersons and to increase participation among women and aboriginals."

The recent release of CareerSearch 2002 indicates that the full-time employment rate for journeypersons certified in 2000 was approximately 79 per cent. In order for apprentices to become journeypersons, however, they need workplace experience. We hope these forums will better inform employers of the benefits of employing apprentices."

Forums will be held in the following locations:

Grand Falls-Windsor              January 20
Corner Brook                         February 3
St. John�s                             February 10
Marystown                            March 3
Labrador City                        March 10
Happy Valley-Goose Bay       March 12

There are approximately 4,902 (4,130 male, 772 female) active apprentices in the province. Once an apprentice has completed the required programming, he or she becomes a certified journeyperson. Most completing apprentices are awarded Red Seal Certification which is a standard recognized by all employers throughout Canada. Approximately 15,000 journeyperson certificates have been issued or renewed in the last 10 years. There are currently 36 apprenticeship programs available in the province including automotive service technician, carpenter, construction electrician, hairstylist and welder.

There are two ways to enter into an apprenticeship. One way is to complete entry-level courses at a post-secondary training institution specific to the occupation in combination with work experience. The second way is when an employer agrees to provide the appropriate training and work experience.

Minister Kelly said there are many benefits for an employer who hires an apprentice, including an extra employee to take care of routine business, training employees to replace a retiring work force, increasing customer satisfaction, building a solid business reputation and employees having trained to meet specific business needs.

Media contact: Tansy Mundon, Communications, (709) 729-6573.

2003 01 14                                       10:30 a.m.