Apprenticeship programs underfunded and underutilized says expert
Nova Scotia Premier Stephen McNeil was in Edmonton on Tuesday signing a deal to make it easier for those learning a trade to complete their on-the-job training in either Alberta or Nova Scotia.
The head of the new agency responsible for apprenticeships calls it a big deal, but Margorie Davison is also worried about a number of other problems plaguing the system.
The CEO of the Nova Scotia Apprenticeship Agency testified before the Standing Committee on Human Resources Tuesday morning.
She told the all-party committee that many people who complete their basic training at the community college level simply don't sign up for apprenticeships. Of those who do, only 47 per cent actually complete their apprenticeships and are granted full trade certification.
Davison called that dangerous.
"We have a lot of students going into community college who are not furthering their training through certification," she said. "In a regulated trade that's just giving them enough training to be dangerous and to work in the underground economy."
Speaking to reporters outside the committee room, Davison said only a small percentage of college students actually sign up for apprenticeships.
"It may be 16 per cent for a particular course that actually go on to an apprenticeship," she said. "It could be as high as 25 or 30 per cent but it's usually not much higher than that."
Davison also called the system "chronically underfunded" despite a recent infusion of money by the governing Liberals.
She said right now the province can only afford to train 40 per cent of those in apprenticeships. The rest have to wait until money is available in their specific trade to continue their training.
