The Apprenticeship Program Presented by Geri Janz

What is a trade? Dictionary.com defines a trade as some line of skilled manual or mechanical work; craft 4 main categories Construction – includes carpenters, plumbers, electricians, etc. Transportation – includes automotive service technicians, aviation technicians, etc. Manufacturing – includes tool and die makers, millwrights, etc. Service – includes horticulturalists, hairdressers, etc.

What is an apprenticeship? It is a post-secondary educational program that combines work experience, on-the-job and technical training Approximately 80% of the learning is done on the job Approximately 20% of the learning is done in the classroom The program can last between 1 to 4 years depending on the trade Successful candidates must pass industry exams in order to earn their certification Once complete they are granted an Alberta Journeyman Certificate

Eligibility Requirement Be a Canadian Citizen or a permanent resident of Canada

Compulsory and Optional Certification Trades (Employers wishing to hire people to work in these trades must be a certified journeyman or an apprentice working under a certified journeyman) Compulsory Certification Trades Appliance Service Technician, Auto Body Technician, Automotive Service Technician, Boilermaker, Crane and Hoisting Equipment Operator, Electrician, Elevator Constructor, Gasfitter, Hairstylist, Heavy Equipment Technician, Ironworker, Motorcycle Mechanic, Plumber, Recreation Vehicle Service Technician, Refrigeration and Air Condition Mechanic, Rig Technician, Sheet Metal Worker, Steamfitter-Pipefitter, Welder

Optional Certification Trades (Employers may hire uncertified journeyman and use uncertified journeyman to supervise apprentices) Optional Certification Trades Agricultural Equipment Technician, Baker, Bricklayer, Cabinetmaker, Carpenter, Communication Technician, Concrete Finisher, Cook, Electric Motor Systems Technician, Floorcovering Installer, Glazier, Instrument Technician, Insulator, Landscape Gardener, Lather, Locksmith, Machinist, Millwright, Natural Gas Compression Technician, Outdoor Power Equipment Technician, Painter and Decorator, Parts Technician, Powerline Technician, Power System Electrician, Roofer, Sprinkler System Installer, Structural Steel and Plate Fitter, Tilesetter, Transport Refrigeration Technician, Water Well Driver

Three routes to enter into an Apprenticeship Program Begin with post-secondary education and enroll in a pre-employment program Depending on the trade that you are interested in, this is usually a 1 or 2 year in-class program (1 to 4 terms)

Pros: You complete all of the class work at one time You are more employable – When you go to apply for a job to begin earning your hours, you will have the desired skills that employers are looking for.

Cons: Can be quite an expense up front and there is no income coming in ie. Automotive Service Technician 2 year program at SAIT $5522.00/year Must meet high school academic requirements of the educational institution or write their entrance exam

Begin with On-The-Job Training Find an employer who is willing to hire you as an apprentice Apply to the Apprenticeship Board by filling out the application. There is a $35.00 fee and you will require your Alberta Student Number The Alberta Apprenticeship Board will contact you if you do not have the academic requirements and schedule a time for you to write the Trade Entrance Exam

Once you pass (receive a grade of 70% or more), you will enter into a contract with the Alberta Apprenticeship Board (Gov’t of Alberta) and your employer (a certified journeyman, if required) and you can begin logging your hours. At the end of the required number of logged hours, you complete the in-class portion of your training, write your exam and then you will have completed the 1st level of your certification. Continue logging more hours towards your level 2 certification and repeat this process.

Pros: You are employed right away and you get to earn while you learn your trade Works well if you are well connected and have a network of employers available In-school portion is broken up into more manageable pieces

Cons: Its hard to find employment when you have little experience or know-how to offer the employer Students require the employer to take on the responsibility of providing Worker’s Compensation

Go through the local union Currently this is only available for welders and boilermakers. Their union has a learning facility in both Calgary and Edmonton and students can write their trade entrance exam and take a pre-employment courses at the union office

Pros: Currently, there is no cost involved The union will help you find employment and you are put on their employment list and are contacted when an opportunity is available They usually offer pre-employment training to help students become more employable (also free of charge)

Cons: There are not many unions that offer technical training programs: The Welders/Boilermakers Union in Calgary has an approved training program. The Pipefitters Union (Edmonton location) has an approved training program. The Christian Labour Association of Canada (CLAC) offers training in scaffolding.

Other Options: Women Building Futures is an organization offering apprenticeship training classes for women. You can access more information at womenbuildingfutures.com Trade Winds is a program that offers apprenticeship training for aboriginal students. You can access more information at tradewindstosuccess.ca

So Which Trade Should I Choose?

http://occinfo. alis. alberta http://occinfo.alis.alberta.ca/occinfopreview/info/browse- occupations/apprenticeship.html This website offers students information about different trade occupations including… Duties, working conditions, personal characteristics Educational requirements and post secondary institutions in Alberta which offer that program Certification requirements, Employment and Advancement Wage, Salary and Industry information

Now What?..... If you decide on going the post-secondary route, you will need to contact an educational institution that offers the program that you are interested in You will have to meet their academic requirements. Generally, they are as follows but be sure and check with that post-secondary institution: Baker, Concrete Finisher, Hairstylist require English 10-2, Math 10-3, GED or Entrance Exam Automotive Service Technician, Electrician, Plumber require English 20-2, Math 20-3, Science 10 or Entrance Exam Machinist, Landscape Gardener require English 10-2, Math 10- 3, Science 10, GED, Entrance Exam

If you decide to go the On-The-Job training route… Find an employer who is willing to take you on as their apprentice Go to Tradesecrets.alberta.ca/MyTradesecrets/ and set up an account and begin the application process The Alberta Apprenticeship Board will assess your application form and advise you on what is next. In the meantime….keep working!

Educational Requirements How do I stay with Roots and still be able to meet the educational requirements to get into an apprenticeship program? If you choose to begin with the post-secondary route, you will need to meet their minimum academic requirements or sit their entrance exam To complete the academic requirements, students can access courses through Chinook Learning or ADLC (An Alberta high school diploma is no longer required) If you choose to write the SAIT entrance exam, SAIT offers free workshops to help students prepare for their exam

If you choose the On-The-Job route and you do not have any academic pre-requisites, you will be required to write the Trade Entrance Exam offered by the Alberta Apprenticeship Board The Apprenticeship Board will contact you once you fill out the application form and arrange for an exam time at their office The exam is free to write You must be 16 years of age or older You must receive a grade of 70% or more to pass You can re-write the exam if you need to Please note that the Trade entrance exam and the SAIT entrance exam are not the same thing

What does the Trade Entrance Exam look like? There are 5 different groups of exams depending on the trade you are entering There are 100 multiple choice questions with three parts: English/Reading Comprehension, Math and Science 70% is a passing mark Trade Entrance Exam prep courses are offered by Bow Valley College for a fee A study guide is available on tradesecrets.alberta.ca to help students prepare for the exam. There is also a list of learning outcomes for each subject.

Roots Website Apprenticeship link in the toolbar Sublinks will include: Information about the Apprenticeship program Information about the Trade Entrance Exam and how to prepare for it Employment opportunities posting for Roots students seeking apprenticeship employment opportunities to network with Roots family and friends who can offer apprenticeship employment opportunities for our students.