ESSENTIAL SKILLS PROJECT LAUNCHED BY CAF-FCA

Ottawa, June 2005

The Accessing and Completing Apprenticeship Training in Canada – Perceptions of Barriers report identified Essential Skills as one of the barriers Canadians may face when accessing and completing apprenticeship training in Canada. In response, CAF-FCA recently launched an Essential Skills project. It will build on previous work by researching and identifying how existing Essential Skills projects help apprentices to overcome some of the barriers to accessing and completing apprenticeship training in Canada.

COST/RETURN ON TRAINING INVESTMENT PROJECT

Phase I nears completion

This exciting and innovative project is nearing completion of Phase I. Focus groups held with key stakeholder groups provided feedback on “how to collect data and what to collect.” As such, a methodology for calculating the cost/benefit of apprenticeship training will be finalized at the end of June. Thereafter, Phase II, the data collection phase will begin. Find out more »

PARTNERS BENEFIT FROM – AND SUPPORT SKILLED TRADES CAMPAIGN

Customized Skilled Trades partner billboard in Saskatchewan

The success of the Skilled Trades: A Career You Can Build On project owes much to the commitment of apprenticeship stakeholders across Canada. As the project moves forward, greater opportunities for collaboration and partnership have begun to emerge.

A recent example of this partnership is a Saskatchewan based effort that produces a series of billboards – building on the Skilled Trades design. With funding support from local partners, the billboards have been placed in a number of high traffic locations. This collaboration has generated savings for the local partners and has increased the reach of the Skilled Trades campaign.

Work is now underway to expand the partnership portion of the campaign. The campaign will be seeking to build on the Saskatchewan experience and to establish relationships with apprenticeship stakeholders across the country.

CAREER AWARENESS PLANNING

Skilled Trades: A Career You Can Build On Project

Extensive market research was carried out to support the development of the Skilled Trades: A Career You Can Build On project. The report on this research, Promoting Skilled Trades & Apprenticeship Project – Phase I Summary report is now online. It documents some of the findings of CAF–FCA and Skills/Compétences Canada (S/CC) as they developed this joint project. The report outlines key information such as:

    Attitudes of youth and parents towards
       careers in trades
    Challenges and opportunities
    Exemplary campaigns (national and
       international)
    Reaching various target audiences
    Marketing and positioning strategy
    Benchmarking, monitoring and
       evaluation.

Download the PDF document.

CANADIAN ELECTRICITY ASSOCIATION RELEASES SECTOR STUDY

Keeping the Future Bright

The Canadian Electricity Association (CEA) has just released a 2004 human resource sector study of the industry. The study, “Keeping the Future Bright” explores some key issues including demographics, education / training, employment demand and recruitment. Not surprisingly, 65.6% of primary electricity producers surveyed regularly use apprenticeships as part of their recruitment techniques.

The study can be downloaded from their website at www.canelect.ca . It is featured as a ‘what’s new at CEA’ pullout right at the top of the page.

JOIN US!

June 4 - 6, 2006 in Montreal, Quebec

The next CAF-FCA Apprenticeship Conference will be held from June 4 - 6, 2006 in Montreal, Quebec. Join us for an interactive mix of showcase and discussion. The 2006 conference program, registration and accommodation information will be available on the CAF-FCA home page in March 2006.  Find out more »

CANADA PERCEIVED AS “LEADER” IN PROMOTION OF APPRENTICESHIP AND CAREERS IN TRADES

Finland, May 2005

In May, the Skilled Trades: A Career You Can Build On campaign was a key element in a presentation made to representative nations attending the WorldSkills Competition in Helsinki, Finland.

Skilled Trades campaign presenters were surprised to discover that the majority of other countries around the world are facing similar challenges recruiting youngsters into the skilled trades, even in traditional European countries that have traditionally been leaders in apprenticeship and the trades. The presenters received many compliments on the unique campaign for both its scope of activity and integration as well as the creative approach to the commercials and print ads.

Based on this feedback, it would appear that Canada is regarded as a leader internationally in this area of marketing and promotion to change attitudes, and to make skilled trades a first choice career option for youth and those who influence them. Find out more »

ANNOUNCEMENTS

CAF-FCA Board Members

We would like to thank Mr. Donald J. Oborowsky for his hard work and dedication as 2004-2005 CAF–FCA Chairperson. Mr. Oborowsky is also President and CEO of Waiward Steel Fabricators Ltd. in Edmonton, Alberta. His company was named one of Canada’s 50 Best-Managed companies in 2004.

Board Appointments
CAF–FCA is pleased to announce that Mr. Michael Verner, Chairperson, New Brunswick Apprenticeship Board as the 2005-2006 CAF–FCA Chairperson.
CAF–FCA also welcomes the following new Board Members:

    Mr. Dan Mott (Business)
    Dr. Gordon Nixon (Education)
    Ms. Cindy Oliver (Labour)
    Mr. Keith Tegart (IPA)

Recognition for departing CAF–FCA Board Members
In addition, CAF–FCA would like to recognize the following individuals whose appointment term will conclude this fall. Your contribution was greatly appreciated:

    Dr. Donna Allan (Education)
    Mr. John Bettes (Labour)
    Ms. Susan Hart-Kulbaba (IPA)
    Mr. Gordon McDevitt (CCDA)
    Mr. Pat McDonnell (Labour)
    Mr. Bud McWatters (Business)
    Mr. Barry Roberts (IPA)
    Dr. Wayne Oakley (CCDA)
    Mr. Kevin Hayes – Constituency
      Coordinator Labour)

‘WOMEN OF DISTINCTION’ AWARDED TO VALERIE OVEREND

May 2005, Gala

CAF–FCA is pleased to announce that Board Member Valerie Overend was presented with the Women in Trades award at the Regina YWCA Women of Distinction Awards Gala in May. Valerie, Executive Director of Saskatchewan Women in Trades and Technology, was recognized for her tireless contribution in encouraging girls and women to consider a career in the skilled trades.

Click here for Valerie’s article: Trades Jobs are for Boys Girls! Exposing the best kept secret in the labour market.

YOUR FAVOURITE LINK

Suggest your favourite trades-related web link

Do you know of an excellent skilled trades or apprenticeship training-related Web site or Web page?

Do you think this Web link should be included in CAF- FCA's one-stop source of apprenticeship information portal at: www.apprenticetrades.ca?

If so, please send your favourite trades-related Web site link suggestions to: info@apprenticetrades.ca .