EMPLOYER GUIDE:
HIRING AN
APPRENTICE
Is it the right thing for your company.
APPLICATIONS MANAGEMENT CONSULTING LTD.
Contents
Introduction..................................................3
Employer Responsibilities...............................4
5 Good Reasons to Hire an Apprentice...........5
Government Financial Incentives.....................7
Getting an Apprenticeship Program Started.....8
Alberta’s Occupational Outlook......................9
Occupational Demand and Supply Chart........10
List of Trades..................................................11
Employer Awards...........................................12
The Alberta Apprenticeship Forum..................14
APPLICATIONS MANAGEMENT CONSULTING LTD.
2
Does Hiring An
Apprentice Pay Off?
Apprenticeship training has been around for
hundreds of years, passing on valuable knowledge
and trade skills from one generation to the next.
Hiring an apprentice is an investment in the future
of your business and the economy.
(Source: Government
of Canada’s Sector Council Program)
Across Canada skilled trades people are high in
demand. One third of Canada’s workforce will retire
by 2030. This means competition will get tough for
employers looking to attract and retain good workers.
Chances are if you own or manage a business that
requires skilled tradespersons you are finding it harder
than it used to be to fill these positions with people with
the right mix of skills and experience.
This employer guide will explain how apprenticeship in
Canada works, the benefits to your company in hiring
an apprentice, what it takes to create an apprentice
position and how to access government financial
incentives when hiring an apprentice.
What is Apprenticeship?
(Source: Government of Canada’s
Sector Council Program)
✓ Apprenticeship is a post secondary education
that allows people to learn a particular trade or
vocation by combining technical training and
instruction and on-the-job training
✓ Depending on the trade, an apprenticeship period
will range from two to five years with the average
taking about four years to complete
✓ After completing the apprenticeship training the
individual can obtain full journeyperson status
APPLICATIONS MANAGEMENT CONSULTING LTD.
3
Who pays for it?
(Source: Industry Training Authority)
✓ As the employer you are responsible for
As an employer when hiring an
apprentice you are responsible
for:(Source: Industry Training Authority)
paying the apprentice’s hourly wage as they
train on the job.
✓ The apprentice is payed at a portion of the
trained rate of pay for the occupation. This
increases as the apprentice completes each
level of the program
✓Hiring and training the apprentice
✓Registering with the ITA ( Industry Training
✓ The apprentice is responsible for paying for
✓Tracking and reporting the apprentice’s
Who is in charge?
Authority http://www.itabc.ca)
progress
✓Allowing the apprentice to be absent during
their in class technical training
✓Evaluating and recommending the apprentice
for certification
their tuition and books
(Source Industry Training Authority)
✓ The content of both training and instruction is
government regulated and must meet
provincial trade standards. This is to ensure
everyone gets the same instruction
✓ You and your apprentice will need to sign a
contract specifying the length of training, the
technical training required, the skills to be
learned and the wages to be earned
APPLICATIONS MANAGEMENT CONSULTING LTD.
4
Five good reasons to
hire an apprentice:
Source: Canadian Apprenticeship Forum
Reason 1:
Reason 3:
By having your most talented
journeypersons as mentors you are
guranteeing that their knowledge and
expertise is transfered to your next
generation work force.
Employers receive an ROI of $1.47 for
every $1 they invest in apprenticeship
training.
Reason 4:
Reason 2:
Apprentices can be trained to meet the unique
needs of your business. They are immersed in
your business’s culture and environment while
learning the specific technology you use on a
day to day basis. At the end you have a
specialist who knows your business and your
customers.
Employers who have self reported home grown
journeypersons are:
✓More Productive
✓Make Fewer Mistakes
✓Have better Health and Safety Training Records
APPLICATIONS MANAGEMENT CONSULTING LTD.
5
Reason 5:
Apprenticeship is cost effective.
Temporary foreign workers cost employers
✓between
$5,000 and $20,000 per person
✓
Apprentices show a positive net return in
most industries by the second year
You may also be eligible for tax credits or
✓other
incentives (see page 6 for details)
Apprentices learn your
business first. The way
you do things and the
unique specialized
skills that best serve
your business.
Co st s
Apprentice’s Wage: increases as
Benefits
Increased productivity and revenue
the apprentice becomes more
experienced
Journeypersons time to train:
Improved product quality and
decreases as the apprentice
customer satisfaction
becomes more experienced
Time to administer training plan
Competitive edge from knowing the
and confirm training documents
latest technology
Enhanced skills of all staff
Improved health and safety
Profitable return on training
investment
Reduces employee turnover costs
APPLICATIONS MANAGEMENT CONSULTING LTD.
6
How to Access
Government
Financial Incentives
When Hiring an
Apprentice
The Canadian government realizes that apprenticeship
is an important part of the economy and therefore
helps employers offset costs through incentive
programs. (Source: Canadian Federation of Independent Business)
✓ Apprenticeship Job Creation Tax Credit (AJCTC): After hiring an
eligible apprentice you can claim a non-refundable tax credit.
This tax credit is equal to 10% of the salaries and wages
payable to the apprentice in respect to employment with a
maximum credit of $2,000 for each apprentice
✓ Tradespersons and Apprentice Mechanic Tool Deductions: The
cost of eligible tools purchased to earn employment income as
a tradesperson and eligible apprentice may be tax deductible
✓ Apprenticeship Incentive Grant (AIG): Once an apprentice has
completed their first or second year/level they can apply for a
taxable cash grant of $1,000 per year up to a max of $2,000
APPLICATIONS MANAGEMENT CONSULTING LTD.
7
Getting An Apprenticeship Program Started
in Your Company
Once you have decided that it
is the right fit for your
company to hire an
apprentice, finding and hiring
the right one can still be
challenging.
(Source: Government of
Canada’s Sector Council Program)
1. Decide what sort of skills your business
needs and what sort of training you can
provide. Before you start looking for an
apprentice clearly define what sort of
role you are wanting them to fill. What
types of jobs do you want them to be
carrying out and what sort of skills will
they need. Make sure that you have the
necessary tools and safe facilities for
training this trade. After this talk to your
staff and identify the journeyperson who
the new apprentice. Also ensure you
check policies and agreements.
2. Find an apprentice. See the red box on
the right for ideas on how to find an
appropriate apprentice
3. Receive Training Material. Part of having
an apprentice is making sure you are
following the provincial regulations and
abiding by the terms of the Apprentice
Agreement. The Apprenticeship
Authority office will need to approve
and monitor you throughout the process.
They will also provide a checklist of
competency tasks the apprentice will
need to master.
Where to find an apprentice:
✓ On staff: ask any current
employees if they would like
to learn a new trade or if they
know anyone who would
✓ Local unions, trade and
industry associations
✓ Schools: Talk to the local
secondary schools
✓ Career Ads
4. Prepare your journeyperson. Ensure they
review the training materials.
5. Monitor the apprentice’s progress and
keep accurate records.
6. Make sure to keep in touch with the
Apprenticeship Authority office throughout.
is capable and committed to taking on
APPLICATIONS MANAGEMENT CONSULTING LTD.
8
Alberta’s Occupational Outlook
(source: Government of Alberta)
From 2013-2023 Alberta’s labour market is going to grow at an annual average rate
around 1.6%. Thats approximately 407,000 workers. The supply of workers, on the other
hand, only appears to be increasing at an annual rate of 1.2% or 311,0000 workers. That
leaves us with a shortage of approximately 96, 000 workers. One way to ensure that you
secure the labour your company is going to need in the coming years is to start acquiring and
training employees now. For more information and the full report for all occupations go to
http://work.alberta.ca/documents/occupational-demand-and-supply-outlook-2013-2023.pdf
APPLICATIONS MANAGEMENT CONSULTING LTD.
9
Results of Alberta’s Occupational Demand and Supply for 4-Digit NOC-S Occupations. Showing the
projected shortage for each given year.
(Source: The Government of Alberta
http://work.alberta.ca/documents/occupational-demand-and-supply-outlook-2013-2023.pdf)
Year
2014
2015
2016
2017
2018
2019
2020
2021
2022
2023
27,463
34,727
39,693
51,247
56,510
69,924
76,990
85,328
91,196
96,111
75
135
196
265
234
321
314
276
304
308
H121- Carpenters
246
511
752
978
902
1,235
1,229
1,131
1,235
1,320
H131- Bricklayers
26
56
84
109
93
132
126
107
116
121
H141- Roofers and shinglers
24
55
84
111
96
136
131
113
123
129
H211- Electricians (except industrial and
375
550
710
920
808
1,000
988
928
1,005
1,006
H324- Ironworkers
-16
-6
0
23
11
44
38
23
29
28
H326- Welders and Related Machine
-72
18
82
250
194
427
405
323
385
412
182
346
512
728
808
1,106
1,214
1,275
1,441
1,575
All Occupations
H112- Steamfitters, pipefitters and
sprinkler system installers
power systems)
Operators
H611- Heavy Equipment Operators
(Except Crane)
APPLICATIONS MANAGEMENT CONSULTING LTD.
5 Most popular trades to study in Alberta:
(Source: NAIT March 14, 2013)
1. Electrician
2. Pipestrades*
3. Welder
4. Carpenter
5. Heavy Equipment Technician
*Pipestrades include - plumber, steamfitter, pipefitter and gasfitter
Trades List:
•
A
•
Electric Motor Systems
Technician
•
•
•
•
•
Electrician
M
Elevator Constructor
•
•
•
•
Agricultural Equipment
Technician
•
Appliance Service
Technician
•
•
Auto Body Technician
Automotive Service
Technician
B
•
•
•
Baker
Boilermaker
Bricklayer
C
•
•
•
•
•
Cabinetmaker
Carpenter
Communication Technician
Concrete Finisher
Cook
Crane and Hoisting
Equipment Operator
E
F
•
Floorcovering Installer
Gasfitter
Glazier
H
•
•
Hairstylist
Heavy Equipment
Technician
I
•
•
•
Instrument Technician
Insulator
Ironworker
•
R
Lather
•
Recreation Vehicle Service
Technician
•
Refrigeration and Air
Conditioning Mechanic
Rig Technician
Millwright
•
•
Motorcycle Mechanic
S
Natural Gas Compression
Technician
•
•
•
•
Locksmith
Machinist
O
•
Outdoor Power Equipment
Technician
P
•
•
•
•
Powerline Technician
Landscape Gardener
N
G
•
•
•
L
Painter Decorator
Parts Technician
Roofer
Sheet Metal Worker
Sprinkler Systems Installer
Steamfitter-Pipefitter
Structural Steel and Plater
Fitter
T
•
•
Plumber
W
Power Systems Electrician
•
•
Tilesetter
Transport Refrigeration
Technician
Water Well Driller
Welder
APPLICATIONS MANAGEMENT CONSULTING LTD.
11
The success of apprentices and the Alberta
Apprenticeship and Industry Training system is
largely due to the efforts from employers and
the Top Employer Award is a way of
recognizing excellence to ensure success of
this program in the future.
Top Employer Award
in Apprenticeship
Training
The Alberta Apprenticeship and Industry Training
Board provide two awards each year (one to northern
and one to southern Alberta) to reward employers who
demonstrated excellence and exceptional
apprenticeship training.
(source: Alberta Apprenticeship and Industry Training with the
Government of Alberta)
Top Employer Recipients
2013: - Alberta Newspring Company,
Whitecourt
- Propak Systems Ltd., Airdrie
2012: - Option Industries Inc.
- W. Pidhirney Welding Ltd.
2011: - Fortis Alberta
- LaPrairie Crane Ltd.
Award Criteria
✓ Demonstrates a strong support of apprenticeship training
through:
•a long history of training apprentices
•offering a variety of trades for apprentices to train
•providing opportunities such as dual apprenticeship
opportunities or hiring entry level apprentices
•participating in career fairs to promote careers in the
trades and the apprenticeship program
APPLICATIONS MANAGEMENT CONSULTING LTD.
12
•being involved in the Apprenticeship and Industry Training
Board and or their Local or Provincial Apprenticeship
Committee
•involvement in CAREERS
•involvement in Skills Canada
✓ Works to increase the likelihood of an apprentices success in
their chosen trade by:
•providing an exceptional environment in which to train
•ensuring that management in supportive of the training
•encouraging the apprentice has a strong work ethic
✓ Provides an environment of excellence where:
•the apprentice gets the chance to experience most areas of
the trade
•career progress is acknowledged and rewarded
•there is an opportunity for long term employment
Other Available Awards Presented by
Alberta Apprenticeship and Industry Training
✓ Top Employer of Aboriginal Apprentices Award
✓ Top Instructor Award
✓ Top Apprentice Award
✓ Chairmans Award of Excellence
✓ Special Award
APPLICATIONS MANAGEMENT CONSULTING LTD.
13
What is The Alberta Apprenticeship Forum
- Interview with Glenn van’t Wout Learning Manager at Shell, Albian Sands.
stakeholders, before, during and after their
apprenticeship.
We exist to...
Create a community of
stakeholders focused on
enhancing the success of
trade-related career
opportunities in the Wood
How do you work to improve the
apprenticeship program in the
Wood Buffalo region?
In general, we look regionally at key issues
and come up with sub committees to help
address these issues. In 2012, we
organized the first ever Apprenticeships
Conference for Alberta. This was a little
What is the Wood Buffalo
Apprenticeship Forum?
different because we were able to come up
We exist to create a community of
Most recently, we have focused our energy
on two main need areas. The first major
stakeholders focused on enhancing the
success of trade related career
opportunities to the Wood Buffalo region.
We make sure to provide a collaborative
forum while enhancing access to regional
opportunities and to support apprenticeship
with strategies and potential action plans
that could be leveraged province wide.
them understand the potential of
apprenticeship opportunities at an early
age. The second area of focus comes from
those around the age of 25-30. We have
seen employment opportunity gaps along
with many questions from persons in this
age demographic. We look to focus
attention on this age group so they too can
have access to the knowledge and
resources to begin an apprenticeship. In
the coming year, we will have information
nights and presentations that will be
moving outside of normal work hours and
be available in the evenings to
accommodate more people. These will start
being held in the spring of 2015.
focus is helping those still in the secondary
school system. We want to increase
understanding of the trades and give
exposure to those who are being
introduced to career opportunities and help
APPLICATIONS MANAGEMENT CONSULTING LTD.
14
Who participates in the Wood Buffalo Apprenticeship
Forum?
Everyone who wants to learn more and participate in the
furthering of apprenticeship in the Wood Buffalo region is
welcome and encouraged to come out to our meetings.
Participation is on a volunteer basis and those who comes out is
continually changing and transitioning. It has included stakeholders
from teachers and administrators in K-12 all the way through to
post-secondary education, to employers of large companies and
sub-contractors, to government representatives from Alberta
Human Services and Apprenticeship & Industry Training. There are
no membership fees or prerequisites to participate. Just an interest
in gaining knowledge and perhaps adding your own insight to the
apprenticeship industry in Alberta.
What are the most in demand trades in Wood Buffalo?
Contacts for the Wood Buffalo Apprenticeship
Forum
Unofficially, the top trades in this region would be Heavy
Equipment Technician, Electrician, Steamfitter-Pipefitter, Welder,
Millwright, Instrument Technician and Crane and Hoisting
Equipment Operator (Mobile Crane).
✓ Glenn van’t Wout : 780-531-4689
✓ Peter Lawlor: peter.lawlor@keyano.ca -
How does one get involved?
The best way to participate is to come out to our meetings. To find
out more about the forum, one can contact one of the members
listed on the side or check out the Wood Buffalo Apprenticeship
Forum website:
http://www.woodbuffaloapprenticeshipforum.com/index.php 780-791-4882 (office)
✓ Kerry Ferguson: kerry.ferguson@keyano.ca 780-791-4883
✓ Melissa Coish: melissa.coish@keyano.ca 780-792-5609
APPLICATIONS MANAGEMENT CONSULTING LTD.
15
•
Provincial Building
9915 Franklin Avenue
Fort McMurray AB
T: 780-743-7192
APPLICATIONS MANAGEMENT CONSULTING LTD.