Rethinking Second Career: What
About an Apprenticeship?
Heather Powell-Sidhu
powellh@thecentre.on.ca
Monday January 26th 2015
Outline for Presentation
1) What is an apprenticeship? How does it
work?
2) How do we view apprenticeships?
3) Apprenticeship vs Non-Apprenticeship
4) Counsellors Hesitation: Fear of the unknown?
5) Making apprenticeship: the new second
career
6) Tips, resources and questions
Small Group Activity
At your table, please introduce yourself and
state what the first thing is that comes to your
mind when you hear the word,
“Apprenticeship”.
You will have 5 mins for this activity and we will
be sharing with the whole group.
And we said…….
• “Trades”: Plumber, Electrician, AutoMechanic, Hairdresser and Chef
• Learning on the job
• In demand
• Hard to find opportunities
• Confusion
• Long term investment
• MAKING BIG $$$$$$$$$$$$
Official Definition
“An apprentice is someone who learns a skilled
trade on the job, under the direction of more
experienced workers. Apprentices also complete
classroom instruction as a part of their training.”
Source:
Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities (Ontario)
http://www.tcu.gov.on.ca/eng/apprentices/faq.html
January 2/2015
What is a Red Seal???
“The Red Seal Program is the Canadian standard
of excellence for skilled trades. Formally known
as the Interprovincial Standards Red Seal
Program, it sets common standards to assess
the skills of tradespersons across Canada.
Tradespersons who meet the Red Seal standards
receive a Red Seal endorsement on their
provincial/territorial trade certificates.”
Source: Red Seal Program. http://www.red-seal.ca/about/pr.4gr.1m@-eng.jsp
SMALL GROUP ACTIVITY: Numbers!
In your small group, write down a number for
each of the following:
1)# of apprenticeship opportunities in Canada
2)#of Red Seal opportunities in Canada
3) # of apprenticeship opportunities in Ontario
You have 1 min!!!!
Answers!
• Over 200 apprenticeship opportunities in
Canada and 160 in Ontario
• 57 Red Seal Opportunities
Have you heard of?
 Drywall Finisher and Plasterer
 Information Technology - Contact Centre Technical Support
Agent
 Truck and Coach Mechanic
 Optics Technician (Lens and Prism Maker)
 Automotive Glass Technician
 Industrial Mechanic Millwright
 Brick and Stone Mason
 Child and Youth Worker
 Appliance Service Technician
 Computer Numerical Control (CNC) Programmer
 Special Events Coordinator
 Heavy Equipment Operator - Tractor Loader Backhoe
The Demand!
http://www.canadianliving.com/life/work/canadas_10_hottest_job_industries
_finance_construction_nursing_pharmacy_and_more.php
http://www.canadianbusiness.com/lists-and-rankings/best-jobs/2014skilled-trades-jobs-top-10/
http://www.workopolis.com/content/advice/article/15-in-demand-jobs-incanada-that-are-waiting-to-be-filled-right-now/
http://nacc.ca/the-5-best-skilled-trades-jobs-in-canada/
http://www.careersintrades.ca/index.php?page=why-thetrades&hl=en_CA
Trades are being promoted everywhere, but are we promoting them?
Assumptions?
•
•
•
•
•
Trades= no “office jobs”
You need to be good with your hands
Dirty rough work.
Takes a long time to become a trades person
Only for young people
Who promotes these stereotypes?
Friends, co-workers, family and employment counsellors
They said what?
Canadian Living Journal: Canada’s Hottest Jobs: Dec 2013.
“If you don't want an office job but do want a salary
that pays above the national average, this is the
sector for you. Unfortunately (or fortunately for
you, depending on how you look at it), the skilled
trades have suffered stigmatization for a
generation. As a result, a shortage of tradespeople
is looming in the service (chefs, horticulturalists),
construction (electricians, carpenters, plumbers),
transportation (aviation technicians, automotive
service technicians) and manufacturing (industrial
mechanics, tool and die makers) sectors.”
Non-Apprenticeship vs
Apprenticeship
Non-Apprenticeship
• Attend school full-time
ranging between 1-4 years
• Work part-time, co-op,
summer positions to get
experience
• Education debt
• Finish school, try to get
experience and take a entry
level position
Apprenticeship
• Work for about six months
to a year, attend school for a
few weeks, return to work
and making $$$.
• Get experience and
education at the same time.
• Make $$$$
• Finish school and on the job
training: become a journeyperson
What does all this mean?
• Pursing an apprenticeship could be beneficial
in the long term and short term for
unemployed clients
• Assist in meeting Employed targets (69%
employed target needed for Employment
Ontario Services)
• Can assist in breaking the cycle of poverty
What are you waiting for?
SMALL GROUP ACTIVITY:
Discuss in your table group, why you think
employment counsellors/advisors may avoid
discussing apprenticeships?
Reasons
•
•
•
•
•
Confused about the process
Client wants an “insist fix”
Seems like a long process
Involves the “government”
Anything else?
Small Group Activity
• In your small groups, discuss how you could
assist your organization with becoming more
comfortable in discussing apprenticeships
with clients?
Change it
• Make apprenticeship, part of your culture
• Take to stay away from having specialist:
Competence must be across the board
• Have a visit from Government bodies, Trade
Associations or other organizations involved with
apprenticeships
• Reinforce the message at staff meetings, have
workshops and attending information sessions
• Show how it will impact your bottom line
• How will it help clients!
Resources and Final Tips
Link to Wiki:
https://sites.google.com/site/apprenticeshipinfo
rmation/home
Final Tips
• Invest for the long haul
• Reinforce the message
• Do not be afraid!