Apprentice system unified Atlantic region to co-ordinate programs to spark more training MICHAEL GORMAN PROVINCIAL REPORTER The Atlantic provinces have reached a deal to streamline East Coast apprenticeship programs, but work remains to remove barriers for Nova Scotians apprenticing out west . On Wednesday, Premier Stephen McNeil said the deal gives flexibility to employers hiring apprentices and allows those apprentices to get the training they need no matter where they are and where their hours are logged. Programs are fairly similar in Atlantic Canada but varied enough to create difficulties, McNeil said. “What’s happening now (is), in essence, we have four provinces doing their own thing virtually doing the same thing . The new agreement, which he said would be up and running soon, co-ordinates training in the four provinces and makes it easier for employers to get workers when they need them . The federal government will put up $4.3 million for the program, while the Atlantic provinces will kick in $3.5 million in staff time and operational support. McNeil said Nova Scotia’s share amounts to $1.5 million.The project will focus on 10 trades, the first four being bricklayer, cook, construction electrician , and instrumentation and control technician. Trent Soholt, executive director of the Nova Scotia Construction Sector Council, said the agreement is significant for workers looking to be mobile in the Atlantic region. Soholt said it also holds promise for further work with the federal government to see the program expanded nationally. “Anything that assists the ap-prentices in acquiring trades training will help in their mobility in Atlantic Canada, and it’s great for workers and employers and the economy. Soholt said the agreement is also an effort toward addressing the challenge that some Nova Scotians apprenticing in Alberta have getting their hours recognized when they attempt to return home. “It’s actually putting some good processes in place so we’ll be able to do a better comparison of programs and a better alignment of programs, and that’s fundamentally what’s going to be needed. McNeil said the government is still working on the Alberta issue, something he raised as leader of the official Opposition and during the provincial election campaign . “We’re in the process of addressing that issue, but we’re not quite there yet.
Posted on: Mon, 20 Jan 2014 13:07:39 +0000
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