40 UPWORD www.winnipegconstruction.ca Apprentices in the Manitoba Construction Sector In response to the auditor general’s recommendations, the province takes steps to address industry concerns and improve the organization StrengtheningManitoba’s ApprenticeshipSystem By Matthew Bradford A report from the Office of the Auditor General (OAG) of Manitoba has shed light on several cracks in the province’s apprenticeship system. The July 2017 document, entitled Management of Manitoba’s Apprenticeship Program, identified four areas in need of improvement at Apprenticeship Manitoba (AM), including its oversight of in-school training, processes for ensuring the quality of on-the-job training, support for apprentice progression and overall planning and performance reporting. “(Apprenticeship Manitoba’s) records show the number of active apprentices grew 93 per cent between 2006/07 and 2015/16 … but the total number of apprentices completing their programs remained flat,”Auditor General Norm Ricard wrote in his opening remarks. “Unfortunately, completion rates are not calculated overall or by trade, nor is there adequate information on the satisfaction of apprentices and employers with the apprenticeship program. This information would help Apprenticeship Manitoba better understand the challenges confronting the apprenticeship system as well as its success.” The report has become a hot topic among Manitoba’s employers and trade associations – many of whom have been championing changes to the apprenticeship system. Those stakeholders include WCA and its members, who have been consulted as part of a province-wide consultation process to inform the Apprenticeship and Certification Board’s new 2018-21 Strategic Plan that will reflect the priorities for the apprenticeship and certification system over the three-year period. “Webelievethatfundamentalchangesarerequirednowtoaddressthecritical challenges identified by the Auditor General’s report,” says Ron Hambley, WCA President. Considering there are currently 6,318 registered apprentices in the construction trades (representing 55 per cent of all apprentices), he adds, “Given the long-range labour market requirements of this sector, and the imperative to have new tradespeople entering the industry, we have a significant stake in ensuring that this training model delivers.” WCA is in alignment with many of the OAG’s recommendations – especially those which stress the need for more efficient ways of tracking apprentices throughout their training and employment experiences. The association also agrees that Apprenticeship Manitoba, which became part of Manitoba’s Department of Education and Training in 2016, is in need of a more effective governance system – one which will give AM’s Advisory Board more say at the table and include stronger industry participation. Further recommendations by the WCA include developing consistent performance metrics, implementing standard hours for pre-employment programs,formingaconstructionsectorstandingcommitteeandre-designing or outright eliminating the Provincial Advisory Committees (PACs). 55% APPRENTICES REGISTERED IN THE CONSTRUCTION TRADES 45% APPRENTICES REGISTERED IN OTHER AREAS AND TRADES