Youth Apprenticeship Across Canada High School Apprenticeship Program Professional Learning Group February 26, 2016

Canadian Apprenticeship Forum The organization: was established in 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

Youth Engagement Youth engagement is a top priority for the apprenticeship community Employers express keen interest in apprentices who: – Are positive and enthusiastic – Have the right attitude and show up on time – Understand the trade and what to expect, particularly in the early stages

Youth Survey Responses More open to considering a skilled trades career Greater number rated skilled trades “better than” alternatives Improved awareness of available career options Better understanding of the apprenticeship process Information more readily available Valued hands-on work and the contribution of tradespeople

Parent Survey Responses Skilled trade careers appealing due to job opportunities, good pay and opportunity to own a business Parents favour university – 57% say a degree is the top choice for their child Less than a quarter of parents favour a college diploma or Certificate of Qualification Almost a quarter still believe the trades are for weak students

Parental Suggestions Provide clearer information about apprenticeship requirements Provide more opportunities to learn about skilled trades at school Provide more guidance about how to find an employer sponsor and how parents can help Encourage teachers to talk positively about the skilled trades Provide better information about the secondary school courses needed to prepare youth for skilled trades careers

Educator Suggestions Provide field trips and journeyperson presentations Better information about trades and labour market Integrate content into the curriculum Better-equipped trades classrooms; one-on-one teacher support Promote positive images and the value of a trades certificate Encourage employers to hire young apprentices Provide girls with opportunities to learn about the trades

Most provinces and territories have apprenticeship programs designed to engage youth in skilled trades careers Approach varies across the country –Dual credit –Earn hours toward apprenticeship levels –Grants, bursaries and scholarships –Tuition and/or registration fees waived or reduced Youth Apprenticeship Across Canada

Prince Edward Island Accelerated Secondary Apprenticeship Program – 16+ and enrolled at high school – Paid work in a designated trade under a suitable employer – Credit for time spent in trades courses or co-op placements – Annual safety training course available at no charge – log hours and gain trade-specific skills – $1,000 youth apprenticeship award ($500 tuition credit for Holland College, $500 student bursary)

Nova Scotia Nova Scotia Youth Apprenticeship Initiative – Under 20, with a job in the trades and a willing employer – Typically work part-time in high school; youth find their job placement – Registration fee waived Skilled Trades Centres – Constructed in 16 public high schools to accommodate program taught by certified journeyperson

New Brunswick New Brunswick Teen Apprentice Program – Industry assumed a leadership role by developing a program to meet its needs – Core elements include: Workforce placements starting in grades 10 and 11 Students get sufficient hours to challenge Level 1 apprenticeship before they graduate (about 1,000 hours over 3 summer work terms) The program focuses on student fit – attitude, aptitude, work ethic – but employer needs are also central – Training coordinators play a key role as “relationship managers”

Ontario Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program – Coordinators connected with every school board in the province are paid by training ministry – Youth apprentices are registered with the province and may transfer to a full-time program upon high school graduation – In the meantime, they are paid employees and time is counted toward both apprenticeship and high school graduation Specialist High Skills Major Cooperative education

Saskatchewan Saskatchewan Youth Apprenticeship Program – Three challenge levels Grades 10, 11 and 12) Awareness of apprenticeship process; Researching career pathways; Hands-on experiences with tradespeople – For those who complete and register as an apprentice within 5 years: Registration fee waived ($150); Free first-year tuition for technical training; Credit of 300 hours toward trade time – $1,000 scholarships awarded to graduating students based on nominations from high schools

Alberta Youth Apprenticeship Program –Builds awareness among students in junior high (grades 8 & 9) Registered Apprenticeship Program – Supported by network in-school counsellors – High school students (15+) who work in one of 50 designated trades – Flexible arrangements to accommodate both school and work Careers Next Generation

Yukon Apprenticeship Unit has direct relationship with high schools Dual credit for pre-apprenticeship courses in collaboration with Yukon College Limited infrastructure in the high schools Focus on promoting the trades as an option and increasing understanding of career pathways

Common Challenges Awareness Finding job placements for youth and keeping employers motivated; Continuation of opportunity Competing social policy objectives Focus on student experience, not employer demand Poor data collection and evaluation – what happens to students?

Common Benefits Student access to workplaces develops soft skills that employers say is missing from the educational system Opportunity to experiment within a support structure Even those who don’t continue to apprenticeship are likely to benefit from the opportunity

Youth Apprenticeship Across Canada High School Apprenticeship Program Professional Learning Group February 26, 2016