Conference Web site now live

The Delta Centre-Ville, in Montreal, Quebec is the place to be for the CAF-FCA June 4 — 6, 2006 Apprenticeship Conference: “Apprenticeship - A Winning Formula”. We'll be revving up at least 450 energized individuals with a fast-paced program that will drive this 2 ½ day event into high gear.

There are many benefits to becoming a CAF-FCA 2006 conference partner. Seize your opportunity now. Partnership applications are now available.

Or, fill in a "Call for Presentations" application and become a conference presenter. The deadline for applications is October 15, 2005 at 2:00 pm EST.

Registration for the conference will begin in early spring 2006. For more information about the conference, please visit the conference Web site.

For more information please contact:

Suzanne LeBlanc
Manager, Meetings / Privacy Officer
613-235-4004 ext. 201

or

Allison Rougeau
Director, Operations
613-235-4004 ext. 202

New wave of ads, on-line employer profiles and information will impact campaign and partners

Since its inception, the “Skilled Trades: A Career You Can Build On” campaign has distributed over 400,000 brochures, 26,000 posters and 500 copies of the commercials from coast to coast to coast. The estimated audience reached is over one million youth, parents, educators and employers through schools, employment centres, trade fairs, government offices and direct mail. If you would like to order free campaign materials for your school or workplace, please visit www.careersintrades.ca/materials.

Watch for new wave of campaign ads this fall

This fall, a new wave of campaign ads are set to run from mid-September to mid-October on television and youth-friendly radio stations, on-line, and in Famous Players cinemas across the country (Empire cinemas in the Maritimes). As was the case last year, it is anticipated that the airing of these ads will positively impact the campaign and its many partners.

New skilled trades Champion profiles on campaign Web site
Four new profiles of Skilled Trades employer Champions are now available at www.careersintrades.ca. The profiles feature well-known and respected "Champions" of skilled trades and apprenticeship in Canada and aim to encourage other business people, employers, educators, unions and other groups to support the skilled trades.

Realities replace myths of skilled trades
Formal research and anecdotal evidence suggests that negative perceptions and attitudes about skilled trades exist among many youth, parents, and educators throughout Canada. Unfortunately, over the last generation, these negative attitudes have led to the creation of many myths within our society that, if left uncontested, may further compound the impending skills shortage within Canada. The Myths and Realities about Skilled Trades Careers is meant to expose some of these myths, and reveal the realities.

Employer Toolkit available
Last spring, the Canadian Apprenticeship Forum — Forum canadien sur l'apprentissage (CAF-FCA) and Skills/Compétences Canada (S/CC) "Skilled Trades" Promotion project developed an "Employer Toolkit". It explains why hiring apprentices makes good business sense; suggests how to implement an apprenticeship program in your business; features employer success stories; provides tips and tools for setting up and maintaining a successful apprenticeship, and more.

Although primarily designed for employers, many other audiences such as potential apprentices, parents, teachers/instructors and guidance counselors will also benefit from the information it offers. To obtain your copy, please download the Employer Toolkit from the campaign Web site or contact the Project Manager.

For more information please contact:

Beverlie Cook
Project Manager - Promoting Skilled Trades and Apprenticeship Project
613-235-4004 ext. 207

Increase Aboriginal participation in the skilled trades and apprenticeship

The Aboriginal Human Resources Development Council of Canada (AHRDCC) has recently received Ministerial approval from Human Resources and Skills Development Canada (HRSDC) to develop a three-year national Aboriginal labour market strategy which aims to bring together apprenticeship stakeholders to collaborate on ways to increase Aboriginal participation in the skilled trades and apprenticeship.

The first six months is a start up period concentrating on the formation of a governance model for the project, communications planning and staffing. With this project the Council will be hiring a national project manager as well as two trades specialists who will also be located in western and eastern Canada. The AHRDCC anticipates posting these positions September 7-9-10 in the Globe & Mail, the Aboriginal Inclusion Network job board and on their Website at www.ahrdcc.com.

CAF-FCA INVITES EMPLOYERS TO PARTICIPATE IN AN IMPORTANT COST/BENEFIT OF APPRENTICESHIP PROJECT

Apprenticeship — what's the bottom line?

The CAF-FCA invites all interested employers to participate in a very important study on the Cost of Apprenticeship/Return on Training Investment project. If you employ apprentices in one of the 15 trades, then we need you…

1. Tool and Die
2. Cook
3. Auto Body Repairer
4. Carpenter
5. Automotive Service Technician
6. Industrial Millwright Mechanic
7. Construction Electrician
8. Sprinkler Fitter
9. Sheet Metal Worker
10. Heavy Duty Equipment Mechanic
11. Mobile Crane Operator
12. Insulator
13. Brick and Stone Mason
14. Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Mechanic
15. Machinist.

Benefits
The anticipated results will allow businesses, governments, the education system, and apprentices to more fully understand the cost/benefit of hiring an apprentice.

What will this project accomplish?
Previous studies regarding the cost of apprenticeship training have been conducted in limited regions, on only a few trades, with a limited number of participants and did not focus on benefits. This study is much bigger, focuses on cost and benefits, and will have a more representative sample of participants. For more information, or to participate, please view the 1-page backgrounder on the project in either Word or PDF file format.

For more information please contact:

Arlene Wortsman
Project Manager - Cost of Apprenticeship Project
613-235-4004 ext. 204

MUCHMUSIC / MUSIQUEPLUS AND CANADIAN TIRE PARTICIPATE IN SKILLED TRADES YOUTH SCHOLARSHIP CONTEST

Visit the contest Web site

Heading into its second year, MuchMusic / MusiquePlus in partnership with the “Skilled Trades: A Career You Can Build On” campaign has committed to independently developing a 30-second commercial promoting the MuchMusic / MusiquePlus Scholarship Contest, which consists of 26 — $500 Skilled Trades Scholarships.

The contest, which runs from September 19 — October 17, 2005, invites youth from across Canada to visit the MuchMusic / MusiquePlus Website in order to apply for one of the scholarships, as well as to learn more about the campaign. Furthermore, MuchMusic / MusiquePlus are in the process of developing a campaign micro-site that will promote trades and apprenticeship opportunities, and direct traffic to the www.careersintrades.ca Website.

This year, a new campaign partner has also provided an exciting addition to the Scholarship Contest. Canadian Tire Corporation has committed to supporting trades and apprenticeship training opportunities by offering 26 —$500 gift certificates for tools. These gift certificates will be offered to one male and one female participant from every province and territory in Canada. We invite you to visit the contest Web site.

For more information please contact:

Beverlie Cook
Project Manager - Promoting Skilled Trades and Apprenticeship Project
613-235-4004 ext. 207

The Essential Skills project is underway. Project Manager, Cathy Thornley has been in place since September 1 and the selection committee has engaged Ingenia Training of Vancouver, BC to carry out Phase One which includes an environmental scan, primary research and a final report due to be completed by the end of July 2006.

The report will identify the extent and degree to which Essential Skills levels can be a predictor of success and demonstrate, through the examination of key initiatives / projects, the manner in which addressing the issue of Essential Skills will benefit the apprenticeship community. Results of the report will enable the apprenticeship community to plan and perhaps share in activities and implementation strategies that will address the project's findings.

Anyone with a special interest or experience with Essential Skills in an apprenticeship context, please feel free to contact Project Manager Cathy Thornley.

For more information please contact:

Cathy Thornley
Project Manager - Essential Skills
613-235-4004 ext. 211

WHICH TRADE MAY BE RIGHT FOR YOU?

New article

Since the launch of the “Skilled Trades: A Career You Can Build On” campaign and www.apprenticetrades.ca information portal in 2004, several hundred Web visitors have e-mailed questions about apprenticeship to CAF-FCA. Many are intrigued by the skilled trades, but are unfamiliar with them and wonder how to choose the right trade for them from over 200 possible trades.

Valerie Overend is a Red Seal journeyperson carpenter, Executive Director of Saskatchewan Women in Trades and Technology (Sask WITT), and represents women on the Board of the Canadian Apprenticeship Forum — Forum canadien sur l'apprentissage (CAF-FCA). This spring, Valerie was recognized for her tireless contribution in encouraging girls and women to consider a career in the skilled trades. In a recent article she shares some invaluable tips on how to decide Which trade may be right for you?

For more information please contact:

Nicole Herod
Manager, Communications
613-235-4004 ext. 209