1. Essential Skills and Apprenticeship Initiative 2013 – 2016 Strategic Plan CCDA National Stakeholder Meeting March 20, 2014

2. Issue  Essential skills levels are identified as a barrier to successful completion of technical training and certification. Response  In 2007, Canadian Council of Directors of Apprenticeship Initiative to support the integration of essential skills into all apprenticeship systems in Canada and to strengthen the Red Seal program.  Supported by a F-P/T technical committee with representatives from seven provincial/territorial jurisdictions (SK, MB, ON, NB, NS, PEI, and NL). Action  Collaborative approach while respecting unique jurisdictional realities. Integrating Essential Skills into Apprenticeship

3. About the Initiative  Development of a framework that identifies common contact points where essential skills can be incorporated into existing apprenticeship processes.  Practical resources to support apprentices and tradespeople.  Network to share knowledge about “what works”.  Increased P/T integration of essential skills into related programs. Support intermediaries such as educators, trainers, advisors, and employment counsellors to enhance their capacity to integrate essential skills into policies and practices. Prior to formal registration Formal commitment Entry into technical training WorkplaceCertification examination

4. Continued Need? Evidence-based Decisions Program Review  Completed in 2012 to assess the effectiveness and efficiency of the initiative.  Multiple lines of evidence: literature review, survey, key informant interviews, case studies, administrative data and document review. Recommendations 1.Continued need for related activities with a stronger emphasis on supporting intermediaries to integrate essential skills into apprenticeship, trades training and other services. 2.Continue and expand the collaborative approach and outreach. 3.Tools could be improved by including more practical examples. 4.Improve the quality of the performance measurement data.

5. Communications Plan Findings  Stakeholders identified the following preferences: −Materials to help educate clients on essential skills in the trades such as case studies and videos −Receiving information via websites, email, newsletters, events −Communications on a monthly basis  Stakeholders seem to have limited interest in: −Promotional materials on essential skills in the trades such as posters and brochures −Receiving information via social media

6. Context for Strategic Planning Questions for moving forward  How do we build capacity of intermediaries to respond to learner needs?  How do we motivate learners to participate in training?  What do we need to do in the next 2 to 3 years? Creating the Conditions for Success Support Assess Inform Do people want to improve their skills? Motivation No Yes

7. Objective  To increase the completion and certification of skilled trade workers Priorities 1.Knowledge Generation 2.Capacity Building Target groups  Intermediaries (i.e. educators, trainers, advisors and employment counsellors);  Institutions (i.e. training institutions, unions);  P/T governments (i.e. apprenticeship authorities); and  Employers Three-year Strategic Plan (2013-2016)

8. Priority 1: Knowledge Generation Objectives Outputs To build the business case Business case and value proposition on the value of improved essential skills for intermediaries to use with end users and employers. To conduct research on the Return on Essential Skills Training Investments Evidence-base on return on essential skills training investments from an institutional and governmental perspective. To update and expand the inventory of resources and initiatives Comprehensive list of essential skills tools and P/T initiatives.

9. Priority 2: Building Capacity ObjectivesOutputs To include Essential Skills in the RSOS Pilots Essential skills content integrated in RSOS pilot for two Red Seal trades: Construction Electrician and Steamfitter-Pipefitter. To develop key messagingCommunications products with key messaging for various target audiences. To increase access to tools and resources Streamlined access to essential skills information in collaboration with the CCDA Communications and Promotions Committee. To develop train-the-trainer models Inventory of models with tools, tips, curriculum on how to integrate essential skills into programs and practices.

10. Comments and Questions What advice do you have to offer to move forward on implementing the Strategic Plan? Sandi Howell Government of Manitoba Sandi.Howell@gov.mb.ca Rhonda Fernandes Government of Canada rhonda.fernandes@hrsdc-rhdcc.gc.ca