Education
Human Resources, Labour and Employment
January 8, 2010Increased Funding
Supports Aspiring Apprentices
With an additional $1.25 million being provided over
a two-year period for the Provincial Government Hiring
Apprenticeship Program, more apprentices will find
employment, allowing them to proceed to advanced-level
training. The Honourable Darin King, Minister of
Education, made the announcement today at College of the
North Atlantic. Minister King was joined by Bob Ridgley,
chair of the Industry Co-ordinating Committee and MHA
for St. John's North.
"Over the past three years, this program has allowed
approximately 110 individuals to advance through the
apprenticeship program," said Minister King. "However,
some are finding it difficult to access the hours they
need to proceed. Our government is pleased to step up to
the plate with this funding to increase the available
number of work hours. Given the demand for skilled
workers associated with large-scale projects on the
horizon, we need to ensure these students have the
opportunity to complete their apprenticeship and obtain
Red Seal journeyperson certification."
The additional funding will be provided to the
Department of Transportation and Works, schools boards,
health authorities, and Newfoundland Labrador Housing to
support an increase in the hiring of apprentices within
government departments and agencies. This brings the
total amount for the Provincial Government Hiring
Apprenticeship Program to $2 million for 2009-10 and
$2.25 million for 2010-11 to provide valued work
experience for many Newfoundland and Labrador
apprentices.
Expansion of the program is being provided partly
through the Provincial Government's Youth Retention and
Attraction Strategy.
"One of our key goals through the Youth Retention and
Attraction Strategy is to help ensure Newfoundland and
Labrador youth have access to quality employment
opportunities as they graduate from their training
programs and enter the workforce," said the Honourable
Susan Sullivan, Minister of Human Resources, Labour and
Employment. "The expansion of the program will increase
the opportunities for new apprentices to work with our
Provincial Government departments and agencies and gain
the valuable work experience they need to fulfill their
career goals."
"There is no one simple solution to the challenges
that apprentices, journeypersons and employers face in
the labour market," said Mr. Ridgley. "But that does not
mean we stop looking for ways to improve. With this
additional funding, more apprentices will make the
transition from training to employment and thereby
contribute to their communities and to the future of
Newfoundland and Labrador."
Minister King noted that this additional funding is
the latest in a series of initiatives designed to help
apprentices move more easily through the apprenticeship
system. This includes nearly doubling the number of
seats available for skilled trades programs at College
of the North Atlantic, and the establishment of a
curriculum and standards unit within the Department of
Education. This unit provides improvements in
apprenticeship curriculum and additional academic
supports, including the development of study and
examination guides to prepare apprentices for
certification examinations.
These initiatives have resulted in an increase of 16
per cent in 2008 over the previous year in the number of
Red Seal certifications issued in various trades. As
well, between 2005 and 2008, the number of new
apprentices registered increased by 135 per cent. This
new injection of funding will help maintain these
registration levels.
"People are seeing the value of a career in the
skilled trades and our government is doing its part to
help provide appropriate and timely training," said
Minister King. "With these investments, we are growing
our skilled workforce – the women and men who are
literally helping build our future."
- 30 -
Media contacts:
