As we wrote back in June
, the Ontario Ministry of Advanced Education and Skills Development (MAESD) is considering reforming how the apprenticeship system works in Ontario. They have now held both scheduled consultation meetings with colleges, unions, employers, and other stakeholders.
IBEWCCO has issued a set of recommendations to MAESD, and would like to share them with our members, the media, and anyone interested in apprenticeships in Ontario. You can read our recommendations here.
While there are many questions about our apprenticeship system on the table, one of the main issues is whether or not apprentices should receive all of their college training up front. Currently, apprentices alternate field work with classroom work over the course of a few years.
If you’re not familiar with the background on the apprentice reform issue, we recommend that you read our first article. It outlines more about what the various stakeholders are advocating.
Scope of the New Recommendations
Our recommendations cover:
- Seven Steps to Improving Completion Rates
As an organization with the best completion rates on record, we are ready to share the secrets of our success. - Drawing Under-Represented Groups into Apprenticeships
Focusing on the need to bring First Nations, new Canadians, and women into skilled trades, we profile some organizations that have done so successfully. - Pathways to Apprenticeship
We recognize that not everyone has the same style of learning or thrives in a classroom environment. If we prioritize safety and build on what works, there are several different ways that apprentices should be able to navigate the system.
The full recommendations are based on real data, and cover many real world scenarios. They are well worth reading, especially if you’re in government and want to know what’s really happening with the current system.
Read the Full Recommendations