National Adult Literacy Database

Perceptions of Barriers: A consultation report

Authors: Canadian Labour and Business Centre

Collection: Research Materials

This report presents the findings of a research study commissioned by the Canadian Apprenticeship Forum (CFA). The CFA is a multi-partite organization comprised of business, labour, government, educators and other groups that promotes apprenticeship as an effective training and education system and provides a mechanism for key stakeholders to support apprenticeship-delivery systems across Canada. The CAF-FCA has identified accessibility and barriers to apprenticeship as an area of key concern and contracted the Canadian Labour and Business Centre (CLBC) to research this issue.

The objectives of the study were to:

1) Identify and explore the perspectives of individuals, unions, employers, governments and educators concerning the barriers to accessing, maintaining and completing apprenticeships.
2) Determine which barriers are systemic and which may be specific to certain groups.
3) Engage the apprenticeship community in a consultative process to discuss the findings and examine recommendations.

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Added: 2008-01-31

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See also:

• L'accès et la réussite des programmes d'apprentissage au Canada

Return on Apprenticeship Training Investment for Employers - A Study of 15 Trades

Authors: Canadian Apprenticeship Forum (CAF)

Collection: Learning Materials

This study, commissioned by the Canadian Apprenticeship Forum (CAF), examines the costs and benefits to employers of apprenticeship training.

The study involved a national survey of employers across 15 trade areas, carried out in 2005-2006. The trades included automotive service technician; bricklayer; carpenter; construction electrician; cook; heavy duty equipment technician; millwright; insulator; machinist; mobile crane operator; motor vehicle body repairer; refrigeration and air conditioning mechanic; sheet metal worker; sprinkler system installer; and tool and die maker.

According to the cost-benefit analysis presented in this report, apprenticeship training is a worthwhile investment, returning on average $1.38 for each $1 invested in an apprentice.

Roundtable discussions with employers backed up the accuracy of the cost-benefit analysis. However, the authors note that organizational and regional differences will affect the applicability of the results.

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Added: 2011-12-02

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• L'apprentissage - Une main-d'oeuvre qualifiée crée une entreprise prospère

Lessons in Learning – July 25, 2006

Series: Lessons in Learning

Authors: Canadian Council on Learning (CCL)

Collection: Learning Materials

In Canada, apprenticeship offers the potential to address both labour shortages in the skilled trades, and youth unemployment. However, there are negative attitudes towards apprenticeship, as well as a lack of information about apprenticeship.

The authors note that overcoming barriers to youth participation in apprenticeships will require changing attitudes among teachers, parents, and young people. As well, establishing clear pathways from pre-apprenticeship training through to employment would make this route more attractive to young people.

They also point out that family, peers, teachers, and counsellors tend to steer women away from the trades, and there is resistance toward accepting female tradespersons in the workplace. Removing those barriers involves changing attitudes and overcoming social expectations.

However, generating interest among potential apprentices is only useful to the extent that employers are willing to hire and sponsor apprentices. Therefore, efforts to encourage apprenticeship candidates must be accompanied by efforts to encourage employers to provide apprenticeship training.

Employers tend to be reluctant to take on apprentices because they perceive the investment in training to be risky and slow to return a benefit. However, a study by the Canadian Apprenticeship Forum indicates that returns to investment in apprenticeship training are realized much more quickly than employers expect.

Added: 2013-02-27

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See also:

• Les programmes de formation des apprentis au Canada

Building a Case for Pursuing and Completing an Apprenticeship

Authors: Canadian Apprenticeship Forum (CAF)

Collection: Research Materials

The goal of this project was to assess the outcomes of apprentices, and compare those outcomes with the outcomes of individuals who did not complete an apprenticeship; graduates of other college programs; and individuals who did not pursue any postsecondary training.

The authors analysed several surveys of provincial college graduates as well as the National Apprenticeship Survey (NAS) and the Labour Force Survey (LFS). Only the four provinces that collected and were able to share relevant data were included: British Columbia, Alberta, New Brunswick, and Newfoundland and Labrador.

For the purpose of comparing college outcomes, the authors identified four distinct groups: apprenticeship completers; trades program completers; graduates of selected applied and technical programs; and all college completers, excluding trades programs.

The findings showed that individuals who complete apprenticeships are more likely to be working, both immediately after graduation and several years later; have better earning potential, in both the short and long term; and report higher levels of job security and satisfaction.

This document was prepared by the Canadian Apprenticeship Forum (CAF), a national non-for-profit organization that promotes apprenticeship as an effective means of training and education.

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Added: 2011-03-18

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• Évaluation des résultats des programmes d'apprentissage

Series: Using Essential Skills and Apprenticeship Tools - HRSDC

Authors: Human Resources and Skills Development Canada (HRSDC)

Collection: Learning Materials

The authors of this booklet encourage candidates for apprenticeships to prepare for training by learning more about the program and by improving their Essential Skills.

They suggest a number of activities, including making lists of people to contact, community resources and websites that offer information about trades and skills upgrading; setting goals; and tracking achievement.

As well, they encourage apprenticeship candidates to make an honest assessment of their Essential Skills and make a concrete plan for improving weak areas.

For more information on the Interprovincial Standards Red Seal Program, visit http://www.red-seal.ca.

Added: 2012-07-27

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See also:

• Avant la formation : Ressources vous permettant de renforcer vos compétences essentielles

January 2002

Series: WWestNet's The bottom line

Authors: Western Canada Workplace Essential Skills Training Network (WWestNet)

Collection: Research Materials

This issue focuses exclusively on BHP Billiton Diamonds Incorporated’s Ekati Diamond Mine, located in the Barren Lands of the Northwest Territories. It outlines the company’s commitment to building a sustainable Aboriginal and Northern workforce, while dealing simultaneously with the low literacy skills of a significant portion of the pool of available employees.

The company began by developing essential-skills profiles for its entry-level positions, then used this information, along with the Test of Workplace Essential Skills (TOWES), to develop a customized “pre-assessment TOWES” for identifying learning gaps.

The company’s training department took on many initiatives, including computer-based learning; a leadership development program; and the establishment of an apprenticeship program.

The department points to the establishment of its Workplace Learning Program (WLP) as its greatest achievement. The guiding principle of the WLP is safety. A third of the company’s Aboriginal workforce struggles with reading simple documents; teaching these employees to read is vital to keeping them safe. The program promotes flexibility and inclusion to meet the needs of both learners and the workplace.

Added: 2010-04-07

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January 1998

Series: WWestNet's The bottom line

Authors: Western Canada Workplace Essential Skills Training Network (WWestNet)

Collection: Research Materials

This issue features an article on the movement by organized labour, particularly in western and northern Canada, to increase its role in providing basic education to working people. The goal is to see literacy become a tool for workers to effect social and economic change.

Other articles deal with efforts by the Alberta government to improve its apprenticeship programs; a Manitoba study of both common and sector-specific issues in emerging economic sectors; and a conference on workplace education hosted by ABC Canada.

Added: 2010-03-10

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Authors: Construction Sector Council (CSC)

Collection: Research Materials

The research behind this report establishes a link between Essential Skills upgrading during early apprenticeship training and return on training investment for employers. The report contains three major sections: the impact of offering Essential Skills training for apprentices; the impact on return on training investment; and lessons learned from applying Essential Skills interventions.

The study concluded that there are substantial benefits for apprentices from ES upgrading. ES participants were significantly more likely to pass their apprenticeship exams; achieved higher final grades in technical training than non-participants; and were positive about their experience.

Researchers also looked at whether there was a net economic benefit to investing in ES upgrading.

You can purchase a hard copy of this document on the Construction Sector Council’s website at http://www.csc-ca.org.

Funders:

• OLES

Added: 2012-07-23

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See also:

• Analyse de rentabilisation des compétences essentielles dans le secteur de la construction

Final Report

Authors: Canadian Apprenticeship Forum (CAF)

Collection: Research Materials

The authors of this report have used both quantitative and qualitative research methods to explore the challenge for apprentices of finding an employer-sponsor.

The authors have analysed statistical trends based on Statistics Canada’s National Apprenticeship Survey (NAS) data collected in 2007. They also held 13 focus groups where more than a hundred apprentices talked about their experiences in finding an individual employer sponsor. The focus groups were held from March to June 2009 and included apprentices from British Columbia, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario and Nova Scotia.

Some of the suggestions that emerged from the focus groups included continuing support for career awareness programs and pre-apprenticeship programs; communicating the value of apprenticeship to employers; and creating a list of employers who are interested in hiring apprentices.

This document was prepared by the Canadian Apprenticeship Forum (CAF), a national non-for-profit organization that promotes apprenticeship as an effective means of training and education.

Added: 2011-05-31

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• Le défi posé par la recherche d’un employeur parrain

Authors: Construction Sector Council (CSC)

Collection: Learning Materials

Based on Essential Skills foundations and developed by experienced training professionals, this workbook is designed to help instructors develop math worksheets for apprentices in technical training settings. Users learn how to incorporate Essential Skills into worksheets that will meet instructional goals and help apprentices to learn essential trades math.

The authors point out that during training and on a work site, apprentices need more than just math skills. They need strong Essential Skills (ES) to succeed in training and on the job. This guide can help instructors learn how to apply ES understanding to the task of making worksheets that meet instructional goals and help apprentices learn trades math more effectively.

You can purchase a hard copy of this document on the Construction Sector Council’s website at http://www.csc-ca.org.

Funders:

• OLES

Added: 2012-06-19

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See also:

• Processus d’élaboration des feuilles de travail pour le développement des habiletés de numératie des corps de métiers de la construction