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Skilled Trades and Apprenticeship -

Employer FAQ

1. Why should employers support apprenticeship?
2. Why hire journeypersons?
3. What is the journeyperson rate of pay?
4. Does involvement in apprenticeship training require affiliation with employer or employee associations?
5. Is there funding to support institutional training for apprentices?
6. What are the employer's responsibilities being involved in apprenticeship?
7. What are the apprentice’s responsibilities?
8. I have just hired an apprentice, or am thinking of hiring an apprentice. What happens now?
9. I am an employer/industry group interested in having an occupation designated for training and/or certification in Newfoundland and Labrador. What information do I need to know?

1. Why should employers support apprenticeship?

Involvement in apprenticeship helps to ensure a supply of skilled workers which serves as an investment in the future. Being a part of the apprenticeship program can help employers to attract and develop more competent and educated employees capable of advancing to more responsible positions. An employers participation in apprenticeship also helps to ensure that training standards are met and that these standards are improved. The cost of staff training to the employer is reduced and employee turnover decreases.

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2. Why hire journeypersons?

The certified journeyperson is highly trained and qualified. With such competent individuals, the employer may be assured of increased product quality, enhanced customer satisfaction and a distinct advantage over companies with non-skilled or lesser-skilled employees.

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3. What is the journeyperson rate of pay?

Wages are often determined and specified through a negotiated collective agreement in the case of unionized employees or are otherwise established by the employer. Where established by the employer, wages competitive with union wages will attract the highest available skilled trades persons.

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4. Does involvement in apprenticeship training require affiliation with employer or employee associations?

The apprenticeship program is open to any employer who has a prospective apprentice working in a designated occupation. There is no requirement for affiliation with any labour or employer organization.

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5. Is there funding to support institutional training for apprentices?

Yes. Apprentices who are EI eligible may qualify for EI benefits and funding while attending institutional training.

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6. What are the employer's responsibilities being involved in apprenticeship?

The employer is expected to provide high quality work experiences in an environment conducive to learning and compensate apprentices in accordance with established rates. The employer must release apprentices to attend in-school training and complete technical courses. As well, the employer is expected to provide valuable feedback to the Industrial Training Division to improve the apprenticeship program and to ensure that an apprentice’s work experiences are properly documented. It is critical that the employer provide the expertise of a certified journeyperson to train and teach the apprentice, to assist the apprentice to become proficient and knowledgeable.

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7. What are the apprentice’s responsibilities?

The apprentice is expected to work diligently to gain valuable experiences towards becoming competent in their chosen occupation. The apprentice is required to complete all courses, master all required skills and work stipulated hours in the trade in order to be eligible to challenge the journey level examination. The apprentice should work with the employer to identify skill deficiencies and hone skills to a productive level.

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8. I have just hired an apprentice, or am thinking of hiring an apprentice. What happens now?

When an employer hires an apprentice, the prospective apprentice informs the Program Development Officer that he/she has become employed. The Program Development Officer then arranges a meeting with the employer and apprentice to initiate the indenturing process.

The employer is in-serviced at this point as to:

• the proper method of completing the apprentice logbook and the Memorandum of Understanding for Apprenticeship governing on-the-job training;
  
• the role and responsibilities of the employer in the apprenticeship process;
  
• the Conditions Governing Apprenticeship Training; and
  
• the provision of "proper documentation" for those individuals wishing to be examined for certification who have not gained their experience through registered apprenticeship training.

For further information on Employer In-Service, please refer to Provincial Apprenticeship and Certification Board Policy 18 PDF, or contact the nearest Industrial Training office.

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9. I am an employer/industry group interested in having an occupation designated for training and/or certification in Newfoundland and Labrador. What information do I need to know?

An employer or an industry group must submit a written proposal to the Provincial Apprenticeship and Certification Board requesting provincial designation of an occupation for training and/or certification.

The proposal must contain evidence of a need for certified individuals to work in the occupation and a description of the scope of work and specific skills required by employees in the occupation.

The Board reviews the proposal to determine appropriateness for certification and designation.

If an occupation is designated for training, a plan of training will be developed.

• Current Designated Trades in Newfoundland and Labrador

For further information on Designation of Occupations, please refer to Provincial Apprenticeship and Certification Board Policy 13 PDF, or contact the nearest Industrial Training office.

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