|
EARN
WHILE YOU LEARN: Apprenticeship in Nova Scotia
Read
on to find out how you can become an Apprentice while
still in High school!
| University
and College tuition rates have been skyrocketing
over the last few years and this is greatly
limiting the educational options available
students. There is, however, another option
of learning that is offered through the Department
of Education that does not require thousands
of dollars in student loans. Apprenticeship
is an option to learn a trade through paid
on-the-job training. It generally takes 3-4
years of combined work and study time before
the completion of the necessary hours to write
certification exams, but remember you
are being paid during this time. |
What
is a trade?
A
trade is an occupation that requires skilled labour.
The Nova Scotia Apprenticeship Division only recognizes
the trades regulated under the Apprenticeship
and Trades Qualifications Act and General Regulation
. Such trades are called ‘Designated Trades’
and when the apprentice has completed all necessary
requirements, they will be issued a Certification
of Qualification as proof of their knowledge and skill.
To see a full list of designated trades, check out
this website: http://apprenticeship.ednet.ns.ca/trades.shtml
Yeah,
but there are no jobs!
Oh
yes there are! Results of the CFIB Survey on the Shortage
of Qualified Labour (February 2001) indicates that
one in two business respondents have difficulty finding
qualified labour. In Nova Scotia 1 out of every 20
jobs remain unfilled because of an inability to find
skilled labourers. Nova Scotia is experiencing a “skills
shortage’ which means that there are not enough skilled
workers to fill vacant positions. This shortage can
be attributed to an aging workforce, new technology,
and new industry (i.e., oil and gas). For a list of
trade jobs that have a good employment outlook for
the South Shore in Nova Scotia , check out:
http://www.labourmarketinformation.ca/standard.asp?ppid=57&lcode=E&prov=12&gaid=25437&occ=7&search_key=4&search_type=1&employer_potential=1&new_search=0&action='search
'
http://www.ciia.com/provinces/ontario/january03.html#shortage
How
much schoolwork is involved?
Generally,
an Apprentice will attend technical training for a
period of 3 to 8 weeks a year. The employer will release
the apprentice from work for this period. There is
a cost for this training—one week costs $74.55, but
there is sometimes an option to learn online, which
only costs 74.55 per course. If you decide to attend
classroom training, it will be offered at a NSCC campus
or the University College of Cape Breton.
How
much will I be paid?
The
amount that you are paid is regulated: You can be
paid no less than 40% and up to 90% of what the current
journeyperson (a person who is a fully certified trades
person) ismaking.
Can’t
I just go work in a trade without being an apprentice?
Well
yes and no. There are a few trades that you need to
be either a certified tradesperson or a registered
apprentice to be employed legally. Such
trades are called ‘Compulsory Certified
Trades’. For a list, click on the above link. Aside
from Compulsory Certified Trades, you can find employment
within the other trades. However, without attaining
certification, you willbe limited in your career options.
By becoming a registered Apprentice, you will be ensured
proper workplace conditions and fair pay.
O.K.,
I’m interested. What next?
There
are a number of ways to become a registered Apprentice.
Here are the general steps:
| 1) |
a)
|
Complete
high school or equivalent |
|
b) |
Complete
related college certificate or diploma program
(optional—However if you do complete a college
program, you will require less hours in the
trade to become certified) |
|
c) |
There
is a new and exciting way to become an apprentice.
Youth apprenticeship will introduce students
to occupations in trades, and allow those
who want to explore trades and start their
career training early to take advantage of
apprenticeship while they complete their high
school graduation requirements. To
accommodate this new program, the minimum
age for registering apprentices has been lowered
from 19 yrs old to 16 yrs old. For more information
on this program, contact the Apprenticeship
and Training Skill Development Division at
1-800-494-5651. |
| 2) |
|
Become
employed in the trade. You can register
until you gain employment, so choose a trade
and then go and find an employer who is
looking to take on an Apprentice.
(Remember that this employer will require
a certified journeyperson on staff to train
you).
|
3)
|
|
Contact
the Apprenticeship Training and Skill Development
Division. You will want to speak to the
Industrial Training and Certification Officer
about registration. If you live in
the Nova Scotia South Shore area, you can
call Kevin Murphy at 902-424-5182 or send
him an email at murphykp@gov.ns.ca
.
|
4)
|
|
Sign
the Apprenticeship Agreement. There will
be a contract between the Apprentice and
the employer outlining the terms of the
Apprenticeship.
|
So,
if you think that this may be the career path for
you, do some further research by talking to your guardians
and school guidance counsellor, contact me—the Youth
Navigator at ACSBE, and/or check out the Apprenticeship
website: http://apprenticeship.ednet.ns.ca/index.shtml
If you live in the Lunenburg/Queens
County Area, don’t forget about the resources available
to you from
the Acadia Centre for
Small Business andEntrepreneurship. We offer a variety
of
services at
a no-cost basis, including workshops (So
You Want to Start A Small Business),
Business and
Employment Counselling, business networking sessions,
and an excellent resource
library.
At any time you require
business or career assistance, please contact us
at 902-543-1067
(you
can ask for Amy Veinotte, the Youth Navigator),
or visit us at www.youthjobs.ca
or www.acsbe.com.
|
