OUTSTANDING NEW JOURNEYPERSON ACHIEVEMENT RECOGNIZED

Forty-seven new journeypersons received an award for their outstanding achievement in the skilled trades. They were the top achievers from among the nearly 1,200 new journeypersons certified in the 50 trades in Saskatchewan between July 1, 2006 and June 30, 2007.

Increased awareness of the great career opportunities available in the skilled trades coupled with an economic boom and retiring baby boomers, has resulted in unprecedented growth in the trades. The total number of apprentices registered rose to 6,779 in 2006-07 up from 5,915 in 2005-06, a 14.6 per cent increase.

"The growing number of young people choosing skilled trades careers is encouraging news for our province," Saskatchewan Apprenticeship and Trade Certification Commission (SATCC) Board Chair Paul McLellan said. "Youth and parents are recognizing the great career opportunities that the trades offer, and employers are recognizing the benefits skilled workers make to their productivity and competitiveness. New programs like Saskatchewan Youth Apprenticeship continue to build momentum."

Eleven industry associations also provided scholarships or awards recognizing outstanding journeyperson achievement in 12 trades. In addition, eight apprentices were recognized for achieving gold medals in the provincial Skills Canada competitions in Saskatoon in June 2007.

Recent surveys reinforce the benefits of apprenticeship training:

• A survey of post-secondary graduate outcomes two years after completion indicated new journeypersons had the highest annual income, some $8,000 more on average than a university graduate with a four year degree; and the lowest education-related debt of just over $1,000, only five per cent of the debt carried by the typical university grad.
• SATCC grads were most likely to be "satisfied" or "highly satisfied" with their education.
• SATCC grads had a job closely related to their training due to the apprenticeship process. Over 80 per cent of journeypersons had training-related employment compared to two out of three SIAST graduates and half of private vocational college graduates.
• A 2007 SATCC survey indicated overall satisfaction with apprenticeship training:
  • 82 per cent of Saskatchewan apprentices thought SATCC did a good job of supporting them in the training system;
  • about 94 per cent of parents agreed or strongly agreed that a skilled trades career provides a great future;
  • 97 per cent of employers were satisfied or very satisfied with the quality of the journeyperson upon completion of apprenticeship training; and
  • 90 per cent of apprentices were satisfied or very satisfied with their on-the-job training.

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For more information, contact:

Audrey Wolf-Kaminski
Saskatchewan Apprenticeship and Trade Certificatio
Regina
Phone: 306-787-5284
Email: awolf@sasked.gov.sk.ca