www.caf-fca.org

Apprenticeship: Tools & Resources

Ottawa – Carleton District School BoardFebruary 15, 2013

www.caf-fca.org

Canadian Apprenticeship Forum• The organization:• was established in June 2000• is a not-for-profit organization that brings together the key players

in apprenticeship across trades, across sectors, across Canada• has three primary objectives:

• research apprenticeship issues and challenges of broad interest• facilitate dialogue and share best practices among stakeholders• promote skilled trades careers among youth, parents & educators

www.caf-fca.org

Mandate

• To influence pan-Canadian apprenticeship strategies

• Be a national voice for apprenticeship by bringing together key stakeholders – business, labour, education, jurisdictions, equity groups

• To promote apprenticeship as an effective model for training and education, contributing to the development of a highly-skilled labour force

www.caf-fca.org

• Sharing accurate information about apprenticeship • Career Awareness – engaging youth• Promoting the business case – engaging employers• Communicating promising practices • Promoting Apprenticeship Essential Skills tools• Connecting stakeholders from across the country

Supports for the Apprenticeship Community

www.caf-fca.org

What is Apprenticeship?

• Apprenticeship is a form of work-based training• 80 – 85% of the training is done on-the-job with an employer• 15 – 20% is completed in a technical training program (college

or union training centre)• Apprenticeship programs are typically four years long and lead

to trade certification• 150+ designated trades in Ontario

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Skills Shortages• Most sectors requiring skilled tradespeople report current and

anticipated shortages:– Construction– Mining– Forestry– Oil & Gas– Service/Hospitality– Power Generation

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• Skills required to succeed in the trades:– High school diploma essential; many employers looking for

advanced standing– Essential Skills – digital skills, problem-solving, teamwork– Math & Physics – advanced levels required in many cases– English – ability to communicate, understand safety

instructions/codes– Hands-on capacity – 3D-thinking, experimentation

Skills Shortages

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Challenges for Youth

• Don’t receive positive messages about the value of skilled trades careers

• Don’t understand the educational/skills requirements• Need the confidence and opportunities to connect with

potential employers• Need to understand labour market demand

www.caf-fca.org

Challenges for Employers

• Youth sometimes perceived as a “risky” hire– Limited exposure to the trades– Health & safety concerns are paramount

• What makes someone a “good” employee prospect?– Good attitude, sense of responsibility and showing up on time are

essential

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• Tools and resources are available at no charge through Office of Literacy and Essential Skills– Description of skills requirements - INFORM– Assessment to gauge strengths/weaknesses - ASSESS– How to improve Essential Skills - SUPPORT

Apprenticeship & Essential Skills

www.caf-fca.org

Apprenticeship & Essential Skills

• PD workshop piloted in Ontario shares information and resources with educators:– Apprenticeship and the skilled trades– Essential Skills profiles and assessments

• To expand use and maintain cost-effectiveness, we have looked at developing packages– Presentation, speaking notes, resources & hand-outs

www.caf-fca.org

Promoting Skilled Trades Careers

• Careers in Trades website re-launched in November: – More interactive elements, including Twitter feed and Facebook

links– More trades profiles, including tasks & skills required– Updates to our Educator’s Guide and Apprenticeship Guide for

Youth also underway

www.caf-fca.org

www.caf-fca.org

www.caf-fca.org

Canadian Apprenticeship Journal

• Upcoming issues: – Spring 2013 – Engaging Youth: Attracting Young People to

Careers in the Trades– Fall 2013 – Focus on Aboriginal Apprenticeship Initiatives

www.caf-fca.org

Dialogue & Discussion

• CAF-FCA provides a number of opportunities for educators to connect with skilled trades stakeholders– National Forum Dialogue – importance of the journeyperson

mentor in Vancouver on June 6– Webinars – opportunities to hear about best practices across

Canada– National apprenticeship conference – June 2014 in Ottawa

www.caf-fca.org

Membership

• The Canadian Apprenticeship Forum is funded by a federal program that will wrap up in March 2013

• To continue providing cross-trade, cross-sector and national perspectives, a new business model was required

• Membership launched at the conference in June• Members will help establish priorities and directions

www.caf-fca.org

• Member Levels:– Apprenticeship Champion $5,000– Apprenticeship Patron $3,000– Apprenticeship Supporter $1,000– Apprenticeship Contributor $100 (Individuals, apprentices)

• Details on benefits available at www.caf-fca.org

Membership

www.caf-fca.org

CAF-FCA Online

For more information, check out our family of websites• Corporate Site: www.caf-fca.org • Career Promotion: www.careersintrades.ca• Employers: www.apprenticeshippays.com• On Twitter: CAF_FCA

www.caf-fca.org

Apprenticeship: Tools & Resources

Ottawa – Carleton District School BoardFebruary 15, 2013