by Ron Tuff 6/27/2011

The Hamilton Skilled Trades Apprenticeship Consortium's managed approach to the apprenticeship process recognizes the balance between the number of apprentices and the number of employer apprenticeship opportunities. The Council regularly discusses the number of work placement opportunities and the number of students interested in a coop work placement.

One of Council's mandates is to meet with college instructors to discuss, review, advise and recommend changes to the Technician Curriculum. The in-school training lectures and labs schedule is compared to the minimum hours mandated by the MTCU. The specific course content and hands-on experience can be aligned with on the job examples. With a better appreciation of the curriculum, employers can then tailor their work placement experience with the apprentice's knowledge and skills.

It also recognizes that not every employer can provide training experience in all the related Training Standard skill sets. Our goal is to consider what skills can be taught by each employer and determine if full time apprentices can be rotated on short term work experiences to complete their Certificate of Apprenticeship.

Many new, small- or medium-sized employers no longer have the staff to effectively plan and administrate an apprenticeship program. HSTAC has developed tools such as new apprentice checklists, daily logs, competency analysis spreadsheets, interview forms, evaluations and sign off sheets to assist with training program management both for new and experienced employers. A working group is also to developing a comprehensive roles and responsibilities DACUM.

Another concern is ongoing skilled trade training and upgrading. HSTAC is working collaboratively with Mohawk College Enterprise and the Canadian Steel Trade Employment Congress to provide a store front of training solutions. These will be cost-effective, one-stop-shop for regional employers to access web-based, instructor-led training courses and support services. An on-line calendar of training events will assist employers who often find that they are unable to release the minimum number of participants to attend expensive training sessions. A collaborative event could address this concern. Subtle differences can be addressed by the individual employers.

HSTAC is also working with the Workplace Safety & Prevention Services, the Canadian Manufacturers & Exporters and Skills Ontario to develop and deliver a one day basic health and safety awareness course that incorporates the recommendations of the Dean Report, including roles and responsibilities under the Occupational Health & Safety Act (OHSA) as well as the principles of recognition, assessment and control. Many smaller employers do not have a comprehensive orientation program. The "SafeWorkStart" course will motivate participants to pay attention to hazards and take appropriate actions.