APPRENTICESHIPS
An apprenticeship is a training process in British Columbia in which an individual works towards achieving journeyperson qualifications. The structure of the apprenticeship system requires you to attend prescribed in-school technical training classes as well as, completing a set number of hours in a work-based training component. After completing the different levels of technical training, employment hours in the trade field as well as, the successful completion of a final exam you will acquire a journeyperson’s credential. The credential would either be a Red Seal certification or a Provincial certification. Several trades have a red seal credential due to an approved training standard across Canada. Other trades have a provincial credential due to an approved standard in the province of British Columbia.
Classes are scheduled throughout the year for Level 1 to Level 4 for each of the apprenticeship training areas. Additional information on apprenticeship training issues can be acquired from the Kwantlen University College website (www.kwantlen.ca/trades). Contact Kwantlen Admissions at 604.598.6004 and register for a class now to earn journeyperson certification. A trade worker identification number is required at time of application. If an individual does not have a trade worker identification number you will need to complete an apprenticeship registration form (www.itabc.ca) prior to registering for any technical training classes (Level 1 through to 4). Individuals wishing to complete a Kwantlen University College on-line application go to “Apply Now” at www.kwantlen.ca/apply
To inquire about seat-availability, program schedules, tuition costs and payment procedures please contact Admissions at 604.598.6004. Registration confirmation is determined by the applicant paying a commitment fee of $100.00 and the remainder of the tuition fees thirty days prior to the start date of the class.
Applied skills come from applied experience. Apprenticeships offer exceptional opportunities to work within the construction, manufacturing, mining, transportation and utilities sectors. The national or provincial standardized system of training allows trades students to become fully qualified professionals.
We offer apprenticeship training opportunities in the following areas:
What is an Apprenticeship
An apprenticeship in most trades requires four years of on-the-job training in addition to formal technical training components. Each year consists of time spent on the job, usually working with or being supervised by a qualified journeyperson and time spent in technical training classes at a post-secondary institution. On-the-job training provides an opportunity for students to put into practice the theory that they learn in the classroom and lab environments. Technical training classes are designed to provide a broad based educational component related to their trade of choice.
The Apprenticeship Training Structure in British Columbia has three major components:
- Workplace – based training or on-the-job training
- A formal training agreement between employer, apprentice and Industry Training Authority (ITA – www.itabc.ca)
- In-school technical training
Apprenticeship is a type of learning or internship for a trade that consists of on-the job training combined with post-secondary trades training. An apprentice usually spends 80% of their time learning on the job and 20% learning technical skills in the post-secondary institute classroom and/or post-secondary institute shop environment.
Apprenticeship is a three-way agreement between the EMPLOYER, APPRENTICE & ITA
Technical Training Classes
Students can expect to attend school for approximately 6 - 10 weeks per year for each level of apprenticeship in their designated trade. Students must now register and arrange for their own training at the post-secondary institution of their choice. The employer and apprentice will determine the location of the training and will schedule the necessary training period(s) for each of the apprenticeship years. Although it is not encouraged, some apprenticeship areas allow enrollment and completion of several levels of technical training consecutively. In these cases students will be required to complete all of the required work-based training hours prior to writing the trade qualification or Inter-provincial examination.
Application process for Apprenticeship Technical Training Classes
Apprenticeship Training classes at Kwantlen University College fill on a priority registration basis, with waitlists established. Individuals need to plan ahead to schedule technical training classes. Planning a minimum of 6 months ahead to request a seat in the class is advised. Check the “Program Schedule” under each program section for a list of technical training class start and finish dates. Classes are scheduled through the year for Level 1 through to Level 4 for each of the apprenticeship training areas. Contact Kwantlen Admissions at 604.598.6004 and register for a class now to earn journeyperson certification. A trade worker identification number (refer to the wallet-size card an apprentice would have acquired from the ITA) is required at time of application. To complete the application go to “Apply Now” at www.kwantlen.ca/apply
To inquire about seat-availability, program schedules, tuition costs and payment procedures please contact Admissions at 604.598.6004. Registration confirmation is determined by the applicant paying a commitment fee of $100.00 and the remainder of the tuition fees thirty days prior to the start date of the class.
Technical Training Exams
After completing a technical training component the apprentice will write a final test before he/she acquires credit for that level of technical training. If the apprentice is successful in acquiring 70% or better on both practical and theory units for the level of technical training and the apprentice has completed an identified number of hours equivalent to a year they will advance to the next level of apprenticeship. Should the apprentice be unsuccessful at passing (less than 70%) of the technical training component then they may be able to rewrite the final exam for that level. For clarification on retest procedures the apprentice should phone the ITA office. At the end of the apprenticeship, once technical training and work-based training requirements have been completed, the apprentice will write the final trades qualification exam. Successful achievement on the final exam requires candidates to acquire 70% or better. Certification in all of the apprenticeship training trades requires completion of all levels of technical training, completion of work-based training hours and successfully passing the final exam. Individuals who are registered in a red seal trade (www.red-seal.ca) and are successful at achieving the certification requirements listed in the previous sentence will acquire a Red Seal Certificate of Qualification. Individuals who are registered in a BC registered trade (www.itabc.ca) and are successful at achieving the certification requirements will acquire an ITA Certificate of Qualification.
On-the-Job Training
All of the apprenticeship training programs have identified hours of work-based training. Refer to the trades profiles on the www.itabc.ca website for clarification on the work-based training hours required for the apprenticeship you are registered in. Apprentices are now responsible for completing Work-Based Training forms on a regular basis throughout the apprenticeship (www.itabc.ca). Employers are expected to send the completed Work-Based Training forms to the Industry Training Centre. The role of the employer is to have trade certified individuals work with and mentor the apprentice throughout the apprenticeship.
Areas of Responsibility during an Apprenticeship
The Role of the Employer
- To provide a safe learning and working environment.
- To provide Workers’ Compensation coverage
- To provide a competent journeyperson(s) or trade qualified personnel to mentor the apprentice.
- To become a registered employer with the Industry Training Authority (www.itabc.ca).
- To allow the apprentice to attend technical training sessions that have been scheduled by various post-secondary institutions throughout BC and to write examinations as required.
- Submit Work-Based Training Forms to the Industry Training Authority (www.itabc.ca) on a regular basis.
- Pay the apprentice's wages.
- Provide opportunities to relocate the apprentice to various trade-related work areas within the company.
- Complete the recommended referral form indicating the completion of apprentice’s on-the-job training component. This form is to be sent to the Industry Training Authority (www.itabc.ca).
The Role of the Apprentice
- To identify an employer in your trade area that is willing to provide apprenticeship training.
- To register as an apprentice with the Industry Training Authority (www.itabc.ca). Confirmation of registration will be sent to you from the Industry Training Authority (www.itabc.ca). You will also receive a wallet size card with a trade worker number. The trade worker number is your identification number to which you will need to refer to when registering for technical training classes, IP exam writing, etc.
- To be safety conscious at all times
- Abide by the behaviour standards and practices of the workplace.
- Understand the rights and responsibilities of employees in the workplace.
- Take control of your technical training. You are responsible for discussing and arranging appropriate times with your employer to return to a post-secondary institution to enrol in and complete the required components of technical training. You are responsible for selecting a recognized post-secondary institution that will meet your requirements for technical training.
- Check with your employer on the completion of Work-Based Training reports (www.itabc.ca). These reports indicate your progression on completing the necessary work hours assigned to your trade area.
The Role of ITA
ITA is the Industry Training Authority recognized by the Province of British Columbia. Services that apprentices and employers need to access are delivered through the Industry Training Centre (www.itabc.ca). The authority is mandated with:
- Working with post-secondary institutions to ensure that standards of training and completion of credentials are met and are consistent with industry needs, provincial regulations and the inter-provincial Red Seal program (www.red-seal.ca) in the applicable trades.
- Registering apprenticeship agreements
- Reviewing prior work hours for individuals choosing to acquire trade qualification through the challenge process.
- Processing wallet size cards for qualified apprentices, challengers and journeyperson certificates.
- Accepting required assessment and exam fees
How do interested individuals acquire an apprenticeship in British Columbia
There are two routes an apprentice can take to receive a trades qualification in BC or an inter-provincial trades red seal certification. First, if you are an individual who is not working in the trade area of your choice or you have no access to acquiring employment in the trade area of your choice, then you should consider taking an Entry Level Trades Training/Foundation program at a recognized post-secondary institution. Starting in 2007 the Industry Training Authority (ITA) will be referring to all ELTT programs as Foundation programs. Choosing an ELTT program will provide you with the necessary basic skills to be productive as a worker in the trade area. Having the basic technical skills will assist you in your endeavour to acquire employment. Second, an alternate method to acquiring an apprenticeship in the trade area of your choice is to identify an employer who is willing to hire you and willing to offer you an apprenticeship with their company.
Foundation Programs
Several Post-Secondary institutions throughout British Columbia offer various Foundation programs. Individuals with no previous trade training are able to register in a Foundation program provided the entrance requirements are met. The majority of Foundation programs will provide credit for the first year of technical training when registering for an apprenticeship in a trade area. Refer to the specific program areas on the Kwantlen University College website to clarify the levels of technical training that are part of the Foundation program you are considering. Kwantlen University College has a number of different educational credential levels an individual can acquire throughout an apprenticeship, as well as, providing additional educational credentials after completing an apprenticeship. Citation and Certificate credentials are awarded to individuals during or upon completion of an apprenticeship. Additional credentialing that is provided at Kwantlen University College for trade certified individuals are Diplomas and Degrees.
After the completion of a Foundation program it is the responsibility of the student to search for employment in their industry of choice. Student documentation regarding a Foundation program completion will be sent by the post-secondary institution to the Industry Training Authority (www.itabc.ca). This documentation will allow the ITA to award credit for the designated level(s) of training. In most cases, completion of a Foundation program will apply towards credit of the first year of technical training requirement of the apprenticeship. In other cases, additional levels of technical training may be awarded towards an individual’s apprenticeship (eg. Appliance Service Technician).
Applied skills come from applied experiences. Apprenticeships offer exceptional opportunities to work within the construction, forestry, heavy equipment, metal, service, electrical, recreational, manufacturing, mining, transportation and utilities fields.
Acquiring additional information
Students or apprentices requiring additional information can refer to a PowerPoint presentation or phone the Manager of Apprenticeship and Partnership Programs Kwantlen University College, Cloverdale Campus – 604.598.6105.