CAF-FCA welcomes new Chair of the Board

Mr. Dan Mott CAF-FCA Board Chair

In June, the CAF-FCA welcomed Mr. Dan Mott as Chair of the Canadian Apprenticeship Forum – Forum canadien sur l’apprentissage (CAF-FCA), and thanked previous Chair Mr. Ronald Townsend for his contribution to the Board. Mr. Mott is a well-known and respected business owner of Mott Electric. He runs one of the largest electrical-contracting companies in British Columbia, serves on many professional and community boards, and is a champion of the trades. He started his apprenticeship when he was 20, worked for a half-dozen different contractors, traveled the world with his trade, and eventually joined the family business, working his way up through different jobs in the company. He took over as president in 1985. Mr. Mott remains passionate about attracting and retaining workers in the trades.

On June 5 in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan the Canadian Apprenticeship Forum-Forum canadien sur l'apprentissage (CAF-FCA) and The Saskatchewan Apprenticeship and Trade Certification Commission hosted an evening of networking and discussion on apprenticeship training in Canada. Former Chair of the CAF-FCA Board Mr. Ronald Townsend and Saskatchewan Board Chair Paul McLellan gave brief opening remarks regarding the current apprenticeship initiatives of each organization. The event was held the same week as the 9^th Saskatchewan and 13^th Canadian Skills Competitions in an effort to discuss apprenticeship issues of common interest, forge deeper connections between the CAF-FCA and Saskatchewan Apprenticeship, and demonstrate industry support for the skilled trades in Canada.

The CAF-FCA Board of Directors and representatives of the broader Canadian apprenticeship community came together and discussed the impact of Temporary Foreign Workers on apprenticeship. Discussion centered around topics such as assessment strategies, the impact on apprentices’ on-the-job learning, and employers’ experiences. The discussion was insightful and could result in several substantive avenues for CAF-FCA’s future work.

Essential Skills linked to Success in Apprenticeship

This month, the CAF-FCA is pleased to release: The Link Between Essential Skills and Success in Apprenticeship Training – An Analysis of Selected Essential Skills Initiatives In Apprenticeship Across Canada. It explains what Essential Skills are, why a lack of these skills in apprentices and journeypersons negatively affects the apprenticeship community, and examines the benefits, success factors, and challenges associated with implementing Essential Skills and Apprenticeship initiatives. The report examines case studies on seven organizations, provides a summary of 47 Essential Skills and Apprenticeship initiatives across Canada, and identifies recommendations for future work.

The CAF-FCA would like to sincerely thank and recognize the following case study organizations for their contribution to the study:

	Nova Scotia Apprenticeship Training and Skill Development
	Commission de la Construction du Québec
	Canadian Automotive Repair and Service (CARS) Council
	Manitoba Competitiveness, Training and Trade Apprenticeship Branch
	Opaskwayak Cree Nation
	Keyano College
	British Columbia Construction Industry Skills Improvement Council (SkillPlan)

This study was based on the findings of a previous CAF-FCA report that identified a lack of basic and “Essential Skills” in apprentices as a barrier to accessing and completing apprenticeship training in Canada. These reports can be accessed on-line. Download this report. Printed copies of the Essential Skills report are limited. To obtain a copy, please send an e-mail to info@caf-fca.org with your name, e-mail address, mailing address, and number of copies requested. The CAF-FCA Secretariat will distribute printed reports on a “first-come-first served” basis.

Please note that the report is free of charge. However, you will be required to send a courier to pick up the report(s). Once your order is ready, we will confirm by e-mail a date that it can be picked up.

“Apprenticeship – Your Competitive Advantage” focus for 2008 conference

Every two years, the CAF-FCA hosts an apprenticeship conference in an effort to shed more light on important issues related to apprenticeship training in Canada. Mark your calendars: Apprenticeship — Your Competitive Advantage will be held from June 8-10, 2008 at the Conference Centre in scenic Victoria, British Columbia. In addition to the wide range of apprenticeship-related topics, several employer-focused sessions are planned. A “Call for Presentations” will be released this summer. The CAF-FCA has entered into an agreement with the Aboriginal Human Resource Council to closely align the CAF-FCA’s 2008 apprenticeship conference and the AHRC’s Aboriginal Symposium. Register early; this event sells out. Keep posted to updates from the CAF-FCA for registration details.