APPRENTICESHIP AND TRADE CERTIFICATION AMENDMENTS WILL BENEFIT THE LABOUR MARKET

Changes were announced today to The Apprenticeship and Trade Certification Regulations, 2003 which will allow employers to hire additional employees to meet the needs of the growing economy and labour market.

The Ministry of Advanced Education, Employment and Labour (AEEL) on the recommendation of the Saskatchewan Apprenticeship and Trade Certification Commission (SATCC) has amended the regulations which set out the required ratio of apprentices to journeypersons for each job.

In the past, the ratios in most trades had been one apprentice to one journeyperson. The new amendments will:

• increase the number of apprentices per journeyperson, from one-to-one to two-to-one in 27 of the 47 trades and 16 of the 23 sub-trades;
• exclude final level apprentices from the apprentice to journeyperson ratio requirement in all trades and sub-trades; and
• enable journeypersons to receive training and certification to complete work in a related compulsory trade.

"Saskatchewan has a growing need for skilled tradespersons, and these amendments are another way our province is meeting the needs of the economy and labour market," Advanced Education, Employment and Labour Minister Rob Norris said. "The SATCC and industry stakeholders have indicated to us their desire for ratio changes. We are responding to this feedback with the confidence that Saskatchewan will continue to maintain a high quality of skilled trades standards."

Consultations were conducted by the SATCC from in July 2008 to determine the apprenticeship ratios to be amended to assist employers in meeting skill shortages. AEEL undertook further consultations between May 2008 and October 2009. The SATCC expects that apprentice numbers will grow over time as a result of this change. The Commission's mandate is to provide training for apprentices and they continue to ensure that apprentices receive training opportunities.

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For more information, contact:

Marieka Barrie
Advanced Education, Employment and Labour
Regina
Phone: 306-798-3170
Email: marieka.barrie@gov.sk.ca