b'APPRENTICESHIPFor the Association this confirms the value of the resources we devote to it. If we have to go through the same exercise in future years, then we should be pleased the Alliance is continuing to play an important role for IBEW contractors. Mike MulgrewMike Mulgrewagreement,thepre-apprenticeshipperiodindustrial sector may be exposed [to] and viceIn 2018, the Greater Toronto ECA and IBEW is900hours.Oncetheycompletetheirversa. And, of course, the IHSA-prescribedLocal 353 added the recruitment, selection requiredpre-apprenticeterm,candidatessafetycoursesareanintegralpartoftheand training of Network Cabling Specialist enter into a contract of apprenticeship withSTC program. apprentices to the mandate of the Alliance. their respective employer. About 90 per centAlong with the STC program, the AllianceNetworkCablingSpecialists(NCS)work of all recruits complete their apprenticeshipassiststheapprenticethroughouttheirwithlow-voltagecommunicationssystems, andsuccessfullypassthenationalredsealentire apprenticeship. The Alliance employsinstalling structured cable and data networks exam required for certification. for voice, video and data transmission.knowledgeableAdvisorsallocatedtoeach Theselectionprocessandpre-apprentice- apprentice to ensure they keep on track andBoththecontractorsandtheIBEWare ship term is extremely important, says Bobup-to-date with their apprenticeship require- very cognizant of the changing technology ODonnell, Executive Vice-President of thements. Scheduling STCs and trade school,usedinbuildings,saysODonnell.We GreaterTorontoECA.Ourfuturejour- arrangingfortextbooksandassistingwithboth see this as a growing sector and real-neypersons,forepersons,projectmanagerslog cards are all services the Alliance providesizedweneededamorestructuredprocess and even contractor owners can start theirapprentices.Apprenticescancontacttheirtoattractcandidatestothistrade,andto career in the electrical industry through thisAdvisoratanytime,andtheAdvisorsdoassist them through to certification. It only path.It is vital we have a recruitment processregular check-ins with their assigned appren- made sense that we use the same training that allows us to select the best candidatesticesthroughouttheirapprenticeship,infrastructure we established in 1971 for the andprovidethemwithanopportunityadds Wood. electrical trade.to succeed.The Alliance also assists contractors in man- The recent expansion of training space is the Although the bulk of an apprentices train- aging their apprentices. The Alliance teamfourth since the original JAC was founded. ing occurs on the job, the Alliance facilitatesliaises with contractors and the Ministry ofFortheassociation,saysMulgrew,this supplementarytrainingcourses(STC)Labour,Immigration,TrainingandSkillsconfirms the value of the resources we devote throughoutthefiveapprenticeterms. ThisDevelopment (MOL) to complete and regis- toit.Ifwehavetogothroughthesame additional training includes safety courses aster apprentice training agreements. exercise in future years, then we should be prescribed by the Infrastructure Health andpleased the Alliance is continuing to play an Safety Associations (IHSA) Accident Preven- TheAllianceteampridesitselfongoodimportant role for IBEW contractors. tion Education Program. The recent renova- customerrelationships,mainlywiththe tion and expansion of its facility in Richmondapprenticesandcontractors,saysWood.Mike Mulgrew:Hill increased the training capacity by aboutTo ensure that contractors are up to dateNew President of the200 per cent. with their respective apprentices, our teamGreater Toronto Electrical The main objective of the STC program is tois in regular contact with contractors. If anContractors Associationoffer all apprentices some experience in coreissue arises with a particular apprentice, weMichaelMulgrewwasrecentlyelected electrical skills that they may have access towant to address it immediately. We use thePresident of the Greater Toronto Electrical with their respective employers, says Wood.same approach when dealing with the MOLContractors Association. Michael is a second-For example, low-rise residential apprenticesor other government agencies, and the com- generationpartnerinafamilybusiness, get exposure to different types of electricalmunity colleges that provide the three levelsHart-Well Electric, and is the president of work that apprentices in the commercial orof trade school. the company.www.ecao.org28'