Tips for Employers

Hiring apprentices is good business.  Apprentices are an investment in the firm and the industry.  A recent survey of mechanical contractors found that over 90% actively support the apprenticeship system in their provinces/territories.  In an Alberta survey, 77% of employers of registered apprentices say that hiring apprentices actually helps their bottom line and improves their competitive advantage.

Benefits of Hiring an Apprentice

Consider these benefits of hiring an apprentice:

1. Training apprentices is the best insurance against future shortages of skilled workers in your firm and industry.
2. Apprentices are trained by the firm’s journeypersons and they inherit the skills and unique values that represent your firm.
3. Apprentices learn new skills that help to:
   a. Increase productivity and quality
   b. Reduce accidents and improve safety ratings
   c. Improve customer satisfaction
   d. Improve morale by investing in careers and adding value to the job
   e. Reduce turnover and keep young workers in your business

Apprenticeship is a partnership of the worker, employer and provincial / territorial government.  The success of the apprenticeship system is based on the history of cooperation and the willingness of each group to work for the benefit of all.  This gives a high profile to the industry groups who advise on how the training and certification should be structured.

Apprenticeship is a contract, or documented agreement, between the employer or sponsor (such as an employer association, a union, or a joint apprenticeship committee), the worker and the Provincial/Territorial Ministry or Department responsible for training, education or labour. The contract sets out the obligations of each party.  The province/territory will support employers in their work with the apprentice, and the provincial/territorial Ministry or Department responsible for training, education or labour pays a large part of the costs. Apprentices are usually responsible for tuition fees for in-school technical training, but some employers or sponsors may choose to reimburse apprentices for these costs.

Employer’s Obligations

The employer’s obligations are to:

1. Complete the employer part of the contract and send the final document to the local apprenticeship branch.
2. Work with the apprentice to successfully complete the required on-the-job training.
3. Pay the apprentice’s wages (usually set at a rising percentage of the journeyperson wages).
4. Arrange for the apprentice to have time for in-school technical training (usually four to eight weeks) at each stage of the program.
5. Keep accurate records of the on-the-job training hours and type of work – usually in an official record book or log.