October 7, 1996
(Education)

Minister announces new approaches to apprenticeship training

Roger Grimes, Minister of Education, and Mervin Andrews, Chairperson, Provincial Apprenticeship Board, are pleased to announce that new approaches to the delivery of apprenticeship training in this province were implemented as pilot projects in September 1996. In total, eight programs were redesigned for delivery in both the public and the private college systems as part of this initiative. Within these pilot projects three new models are being evaluated to determine their strengths and weakness when applied to the delivery of apprenticeship training. Specifically, a cooperative education model is being used in the delivery of the Motor Vehicle Repair Program at the Gander Campus, and an internship model is used for the Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Program at Cabot College and with most hairstylists programs both in the public and private college system. A modified block release model is being used in the delivery of the Operating Lineman Program at Seal Cove Campus, Steamfitting and Pipefitting Program at Clarenville Campus, Heavy Duty Repair and Truck Transport Repair programs at Stephenville Crossing Campus, and Carpentry and Joinery Program at the Carpenters Training Institute, Donovan's Industrial Park, Mount Pearl.

These new approaches to apprenticeship training came about as a result of a report that was commissioned by the Department of Education to review the relevancy of the traditional approaches to apprenticeship training as we move into the 21st century. Mr. Andrews solicited input from interested stakeholders throughout the province which lead him to author a report entitled Apprenticeship Training: Now and the Future. One of the recommendations in the report called for the development of new approaches to the delivery of apprenticeship training to meet the current realities of the clientele it serves. Mr. Grimes stated: "The Department of Education responded to the recommendation in a timely manner which has lead to the implementation of the eight pilot projects announced today. These new approaches will provide a more systematic approach to apprenticeship training, while at the same time increasing flexibility, transferability, and relevancy of training to meet the needs of apprentices and employers. With further developments we are hopeful that we can implement a distance learning component to these and other programs to decrease the cost to students and lost time to employers. Other provinces have expressed support for the approaches taken by Newfoundland and Labrador in addressing the challenges of creating a highly skilled workforce."

Mr. Andrews, in his response to the implementation of the pilot projects, was very encouraged by the Department of Education's follow through on the recommendations in the report on apprenticeship. "I'm delighted," he said, "to see new approaches being used in apprenticeship training. I am confident that these will go a long way toward bringing apprenticeship training into the current realities as we head into the next century."

In addition to these new initiatives, Mr. Grimes announced today that the Canadian Council of Directors of Apprenticeship has approved Newfoundland and Labrador's request to have available to the citizens of this province interprovincial (Red Seal) examinations for all nationally designated Red Seal occupations. He stated: "This will enhance the mobility of Newfoundlanders and Labradorians pursuing employment opportunities in other parts of Canada, particularly in occupations that require compulsory certification."

Contact: Mervin Andrews (709) 729-2350 or Carl Cooper (709) 729-0048.