Volume 2 • Issue 1

$2.4millioninsupportannounced atNationalAboriginalDayevent This year’s National Aboriginal • $200,000 for ITA research into people have access to training and Day saw new funding announced barriers that limit the success of assessment that’s flexible and to reinforce ongoing ITA efforts to Aboriginal people entering and responsive to their needs.” completing skilled trades certifi - expand First Nations participation He said this year’s LMA funding cation. The research funding in skilled trades across B.C. represents “significant strides is from the federal-provincial forward” that will build on ITA’s At a Vancouver event in late June, Labour Market Partnerships existing Aboriginal Initiatives senior levels of government Program. committed a total of $2.4 million to program. …continued /2 “The hands-on approach to trades ITA Aboriginal Initiatives this year: and apprenticeships offers com - FROM THE CEO • $2.2 million supporting trades ponents consistent with the values training for Aboriginal people of many Aboriginal cultures,” under the Canada-B.C. Labour said ITA CEO Kevin Evans. “We Market Agreement (LMA) need to ensure that Aboriginal Bringing vitality INDUSTRY TRAINING ORGANIZATIONS tothe system Describing industry training in B.C. as a “system” is accurate, but this obscures how much it depends on people for vitality and ongoing renewal. The skilled trades generate a sense of passion, ingenuity and service that gets in the blood of those involved.

Pat Bell’s take on training Though he will shudder at being Financial help for employers singled out, Allan Bruce provides New recipe for Cook Level 1 a compelling illustration. Doing a big job at RCITO After six years on ITA’s Board of ITA’s moving experience Directors, his term has ended. This deserves recognition because of Allan’s valuable contributions to ITA and its predecessor, the Industry Training and Appren - Successfulchallenger ticeship Commission, on whose Residential Framing Technician Sam Wong (left) earned his trade Board he also served. credential in a challenge process. It’s an example of the strong emphasis put A ticketed mobile crane operator, on recognition of prior learning by the Residential Construction Industry Allan is a long-time employee of Training Organization. Sam is shown here with Ralph Belisle, president the International Union of Oper - of TQ Construction in Burnaby. See story on Page 6 . (Kent Kallberg photo) ating Engineers. …continued /3

ITA E-NEWS SUMMER 2011 1 7 $2.4 million in support of ITA Aboriginal Initiatives from /1 The announcement came in late June at an ITA National Aboriginal Day celebration at Klahowya Village in Stanley Park. Attending the event were more than 100 representatives of Aboriginal employment and training organizations, industry, labour, governments and local First Nations. They networked, enjoyed a performance by the Le-La-La Dancers of Alert Bay and a meal of traditional foods. In a speech outlining the funding, B.C. Aboriginal Relations and Reconciliation Minister Mary Polak noted that ITA “understands the importance and potential of Aboriginal people to B.C.’s workforce.” She said the government commitment means greater opportunities for Aboriginal people “to build their skills and get the jobs they need.” The funding “will help empower people to reach their full poten tial through skills training. It will lead to better jobs that benefit families and communities in all regions of British Columbia,” said a statement by Jobs, Tourism and Innovation Minister Pat Bell. A statement by federal Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development Diane Finley noted that “Aboriginal communities, with their young and vibrant Key speakers at the event announcing 2011/12 Aboriginal Initiatives funding included (from left) ITA CEO Kevin Evans, B.C. Minister of Aboriginal Relations and Reconciliation Mary Polak and ITA Director populations, play an important role in the long-term of Aboriginal Initiatives Gary McDermott. (Matthew Jacob photo) viability of Canada’s workforce.” ITA leverages LMA funding to deliver trades programming for She said the LMA funding helps them “get the training they need to Aboriginal people and other groups that are under-represented in get good jobs and build better futures .” skilled trades, including women and immigrants. Since 2006, Aboriginal partici - ExperienceslikeDavidWard’s pation in apprenticeship training has increased by 118 per cent. showthevalueoftrainingsupport Last year, ITA’s Aboriginal The value of government-sup - That happened because of Initiatives served 21 communi - ported Aboriginal Initiatives support for pre-apprenticeship ties across the province, resulting can be seen in the experiences of training that ITA funded through in 355 Aboriginal people being people like David Ward, who a partner agency, the Aboriginal ready for trades employment. shared his story at an ITA-spon - Community Career Employment With industry and employers, sored National Aboriginal Day Services Society (ACCESS). ITA partners with First Nations event where 2011/12 funding “I’ve been blessed with having communities, Aboriginal training was announced (story above) . my BCIT tuition and books organizations and providers to David has come a long way from paid so I can learn as much as deliver pre-apprenticeship and the Kaska Dene and Taku River possible in my first year of apprenticeship programs across Tlingit First Nations straddling apprenticeship training,” said the province. northern British Columbia and David. “I have a job working • For more on ITA Aboriginal David Ward, blessed by ITA-funded support Initiatives, CLICK HERE from ACCESS. (Matthew Jacob photo) Yukon. The 36-year-old works towards becoming a Red Seal in the Lower Mainland as a full- journeyman and the opportunity • For a report on ITA’s time apprentice with Evergreen of moving ahead in my life with 2010/ 11 LMA activities, Sheet Metal. a secure feeling!” CLICK HERE

INDUSTRY TRAINING AUTHORIT Y WWW.ITABC.CA ITA E-NEWS SUMMER 2011 2 7 ‘NoonehasabiggerrolethanITA’ inmeetingskillsshortages–PatBell Pat Bell was appointed in March 20 11 as Minister of the newly created B.C. Ministry of Jobs, Tourism and Innovation, which is responsible for ITA. The MLA for Prince George-Mackenzie since 2001, he was previously Minister of Forests, Minister of Agriculture and Minister of State for Mining. The minister gave this interview in June. ITA eNews: What role do you practice. That is, each future Minister: Delivering appren - see for industry training in British journeyperson must have hands- ticeship training takes a lot of Columbia? on experience in the trade where hands. Besides industry and Minister: As our economy she or he will earn a living. labour, we count on private and public training providers, school Pat Bell, responsible for ITA as Minister recovers from the recession, Apprentices need sponsors to of Jobs, Tourism and Innovation. preparing skilled trades workers provide that real-world experi - districts across the province, Aboriginal community partners, year’s ITA budget should be is pivotal. Government support ence, but finding them is difficult labour market service providers, more than enough to satisfy of industry training is central now because many still feel the employer-sponsors and, of anticipated regional require - to our overall commitment to recent recession’s after-effects. course, ITA staff. ments for trades trainees. This create jobs. I know that ITA is working with ITA eNews: What about the government support ensures Creating jobs is our top priority, sector-specific Industry Training government’s role? we’ll be able to meet the need and another issue is filling them. Organizations (ITOs) on a pro - Minister: Like all other industry for skilled workers and support We face critical labour shortages gram to expand apprenticeship training stakeholders, creating families across B.C. in trades across the province. sponsorship. jobs is our top priority. This No one has a bigger role than ITA eNews: What role does ITA in seeing that these needs organized labour play in the are met. apprenticeship system? Bringing vitality to the system from /1 ITA eNews: Do you have expec - Minister: I’m keenly aware of He was extremely effective at providing a labour perspective to the tations about how that role will the vital contributions made to Board’s deliberations while leaving his “union hat at the door.” be fulfilled? apprenticeship by organized (The fiduciary responsibility of all Board directors is to the ITA Minister: ITA has made a good labour in B.C., and we count on rather than to their day jobs.) that continuing. start, focusing on B.C. labour The wisdom of Allan’s patient yet probing counsel earned deep and requirements projected to 2019, Union and joint-board training lasting respect from all who served on the Board with him. His voice and in tailoring its response to providers are getting more ITA will be sorely missed. the needs of individual regions. funding than ever before, about Allan’s contributions to industry training extend well beyond ITA. I’m pleased it’s not a one-size- $3 million this year to buy seats A founding Board member of the Canadian Apprenticeship Forum, fits-all approach. in 15 training programs. he was its chair for several years. Currently, Allan is vice chair of the How all this should unfold over Industry also recognizes the Asia Pacific Gateway Skills Table and a director of Skills Canada BC. the next three years is spelled importance of organized labour. out in the ITA Service Plan, Seven union representatives Undoubtedly, he will find new avenues to advance the cause of industry which supports government’s serve on the boards of two training, hopefully also spending a few more hours on his boat. key priorities around jobs and major ITOs: the Resource The vigour of Allan Bruce’s contributions over many years is an inspi - economic growth. Training Organization and rational reminder that a “system” is only as good as the people who ITA eNews: In that plan, are the Transportation Career make it work. there issues that you’ve identified Development Association. as particularly important? ITA eNews: What about the role Minister: The heart of industry of other stakeholders in delivering training is putting theory into apprenticeship training? Kevin Evans, Chief Executive Officer

INDUSTRY TRAINING AUTHORIT Y WWW.ITABC.CA ITA E-NEWS SUMMER 2011 3 7 YOUTH INITIATIVES Helpforemployers Ournationalwinners hiringyoungworkers After winning gold provincially, 23 British Columbians earned medals Help for employers hiring workers aged 15 to 29 is available from in June at the Canadian Skills Competition in Quebec City. Competing a government pilot project called the Youth Skills BC (YSBC) at the national event were students from secondary (Sec) and post- Workplace Pilot Program. secondary (PS) institutions. Here are B.C.’s medallists . Qualifying employers can receive a maximum $2,000 hiring incen - GoldMedals tive and $1,000 training subsidy for each of up to three new eligible 3DCharacterComputerAnimation(Sec): Jamie Ruddick and employees. This funding may be combined with other federal and Josiah Stefani, both of Dover Bay Secondary, Nanaimo provincial apprenticeship incentives. Cooking(Sec): Carla Obando, Templeton Secondary, Vancouver “It’s a good fit for young people completing ACE IT and SSA,” said Electronics(PS): Jamie Maloway, Okanagan College Youth Initiatives Manager Rodger Hargreaves. Electronics(Sec): Chris Leclair, Georges P. Vanier Secondary, ITA’s Accelerated Credit Enrolment in Industry Training (ACE IT) Courtenay and Secondary School Apprenticeship (SSA)programs let high school students earn dual secondary and post-secondary credits IT-NetworkSystemsAdministration(Sec): Jordan Evans, Sardis before they graduate. Secondary, Chilliwack PrecisionMachining(PS): Siegfried Baumann, BCIT Rodger pointed out that the pilot runs through next March, although it may be extended. Funding is provided by the Canada-B.C. Labour RefrigerationandAirConditioning(PS): Curtis Thomson, Joint Market Agreement. Apprentice Refrigeration Training School, Surrey • For YSBC eligibility criteria, other details and an application SilverMedals form, CLICK HERE AircraftMaintenance(PS): Andrew Lines, Northern Lights College • For ACE IT, SSA and other ITA youth programs, CLICK HERE AutomationandControl(PS): Mandeep Saggu, BCIT Baking(Sec): Jesse Ong, Templeton Secondary, Vancouver FashionTechnology(Sec): Maggie Selzer, Eric Hamber Secondary, Safetyforapprentices Vancouver While ITA wants to see apprentices learn skills and technical know- GraphicDesign(Sec): Nancy Huang, Eric Hamber Secondary, ledge, a sister agency has another interest in trades training — seeing Vancouver apprentices stay in one piece. Hairstyling(PS): Susan Lin, Vancouver Community College That’s what’s behind the WorkSafeBC Apprenticeship Portal, a new Hairstyling(Sec): Molly Liu, Samuel Robertson Technical Secondary, website for training providers, apprentices and their employers and Maple Ridge for high school students in Foundation programs. IT-NetworkSystemsAdministration(PS): Jeff Nishi, Okanagan Carpentry safety resources are on the site now, to be followed by College Plumbing, Electrical, Cook and Auto Service Technician. Users can Robotics(Sec): Lazar Savic, Kai Singh and John Strutinski, all of link to trade-specific ITA learning competencies and resources for Sullivan Heights Secondary, Surrey related topics. WebSiteDevelopment(Sec): Jason Cho, Earl Marriott Secondary, “Trades instructors told us they knew what needed to be taught Surrey based on ITA program outlines, but didn’t always know where to BronzeMedals find current resources,” said Robin Schooley, WorkSafeBC industry AutobodyRepair(Sec): Jay Kendrick-Cook, Victoria High School specialist — young and new workers. Carpentry(PS): Jadyn Lowe, Okanagan College She added that teachers and employers say it’s “easier now to build Carpentry(Sec): Bentley Klassen, Abbotsford Collegiate health and safety resources into teaching programs, safety meetings and mentoring of apprentices.” • To view and order the publications, CLICK HERE

INDUSTRY TRAINING AUTHORIT Y WWW.ITABC.CA ITA E-NEWS SUMMER 2011 4 7 VIUtriesanewrecipeforcooktraining Apprenticeships mean full-time technical training that can keep students out of the workplace for long periods, and this can be tricky for employers needing apprentices on the job to keep businesses going. Now a compromise has been found in a pilot Level 1 Cook program at Vancouver Island University (VIU). Instead of six weeks of full-time instruction, it puts the necessary training into 26 days spread over as many weeks. Funding of the pilot came from ITA as part of a commitment to “support flexible training delivery models,” said Director of Training Delivery Jim Pelton. “VIU should be com - mended for meeting industry’s needs.” The pilot began last fall after White Spot restaurants needed a way “to mitigate the When Vancouver Island University tried a new approach to Cook 1 training, apprentices (from left) Mike Coates, Sarah Griffen and Megan Crosson were among the students who benefited. (Photo by North Nanaimo White Spot) six-week block away from the job,” VIU Dean of Trades and Applied Technology Fred MacDonald explained. White Spot CEO Warren Erhart praised the pilot and VIU’s approach. “The school was very pragmatic in meeting industry needs, and that’s Students attended every Monday, a slow day in restaurants. The pro - not so easy in some institutions.” gram involved two hours on theory and five hours working in VIU’s kitchen, instead of the 17 students’ home restaurants across Vancouver All company employees in the pilot stayed with the company, and Island. All but one were White Spot employees. Erhart said the VIU “experience solidified our relationship with them — this in an industry known for high turnover.” Sixteen students had earned Level 1 credits when the pilot ended this May, and one hadn’t taken the exam yet as this report was prepared. MacDonald would like to build on the pilot, calling it “a win-win for everyone that could work in other sectors like the automotive “That’s at least as good as the typical six-week class,” said Craig Rogers, industry.” chair of VIU’s culinary programs. “The students want to come back, and we’d like to have them.” “This holds huge potential for putting more apprentices in school and helping employers raise training standards without disrupting their businesses,” he said. Shoppingonlinefortraining • For more on VIU trades training, CLICK HERE B.C. students and career planners can count on virtual one-stop shop - • For more on White Spot apprenticeships, CLICK HERE ping for all apprenticeship training with EducationPlanner.ca — a user-friendly website expanding in September to include private trades training programs. RedSealaccomplishments The online resource covers the province and means students from Initiatives pursued last year for 52 Red Seal trades are outlined in all regions can find apprenticeship programs in or near their com - the latest annual report of the Canadian Council of Directors of munities. Apprenticeship (CCDA). CLICK HERE More than 50,000 visitors a month visit the site managed by the Released in early June, the report outlines accomplishments in the BC Council on Admissions and Transfer. ITA funded the addition context of “global competition, demographic pressures on labour of public and private apprenticeship listings. supply and productivity, and the dizzying impact of technology.” • To visit EducationPlanner.ca, CLICK HERE • For more on CCDA, CLICK HERE

INDUSTRY TRAINING AUTHORIT Y WWW.ITABC.CA ITA E-NEWS SUMMER 2011 5 7 INDUSTRY TRAINING ORGANIZATIONS Trainingforafast-growing,changingindustry This is the third in a series on plus, longer in duration and with more content specific to residential Industry Training Organizations. construction,” Mary explained. They are established by industry RCITO has also developed other specialty trades for the sector and accountable to ITA for specific including the Building Envelope Technician, and Heating and services that support training in Geothermal Technicians, also based on the bridging model, and the their sectors. Residential Building Maintenance Worker trade that’s helping How do you develop appren - improve housing conditions in First Nations communities across B.C. ticeships for an industry that is “This progressive approach allows individuals to advance their rapidly changing from general careers by adding marketable skills and competencies over time. to specialized trades? We want apprenticeships bridged and laddered, both for our industry The answer rests with the Resi - and our workers.” Mary called this flexibility “the real strength of the B.C. system.” Mary Kenny of RCITO: “We work on dential Construction Industry bridging skills gaps.” Training Organization (RCITO). She added that “other provinces are looking closely at what’s It represents a sector where more than 60 per cent of companies happening here.” are one-person operations that manage independent subtrades. Another RCITO concern is recognition of prior learning. “With ITA, An added twist is that the sector uses different skills from traditional we need to develop alternative ways of assessing the competency construction. Evolving housing technology requires an understanding of workers with appropriate pre-existing skills acquired outside of of what’s called “House as a System.” the system.” Regulatory requirements and consumer demands for healthier and more But the major focus for RCITO over the coming years is its industry energy-efficient homes mean that houses need to be built differently. engagement plan to promote new sponsorships in a diverse indus - “We work on bridging skills gaps between the residential and non- try made up of one-person contractors, subtrades companies, and residential sectors,” explained RCITO CEO Mary Kenny. “This self-employed workers who are, in effect, their own employers. allows us to develop career paths for our apprentices in addition to That’s a big job, given the size and scope of an industry that has giving them required job-ready skills.” doubled its workforce over the past decade and contributes three One example is RCITO’s framer certification that also brings credit times more to B.C.’s gross domestic product than all non-residential for the first step in traditional carpentry training. “It’s really Level 1 construction in the province. • For more on RCITO, CLICK HERE SkillsforCanad a’sfuture Beyond reading and writing, people need other essential skills to participate fully in their workplaces and communities. This is so critical that The Canadian Apprenticeship Journal devoted most AgreementsdefineITOroles of its summer edition to what’s happening across the country. Lead responsibility for improving training in specific B.C. sectors is given by ITA to seven not-for-profit Industry Train - Part of that is an article by ITA Director of Strategic Initiatives Jessi ing Organizations (ITOs) established and run by industry. Zielke. She led B.C. efforts to develop a free online Essential Services Suite that lets individuals measure their skills against requirements Partnership agreements with ITA specify services that each for more than 50 Red Seal and other trades. ITO provides and define their roles in supporting industry A journal editorial calls the issue important “to not only apprentice - training. ship systems across the country, but to the people of Canada, the • To see this year’s individual agreements, CLICK HERE education system and the country’s future.” Then click on the Partnership Agreement link that precedes • For The Canadian Apprenticeship Journal summer edition, CLICK HERE the contact information for each ITO. • For the Essential Services Suite, CLICK HERE

INDUSTRY TRAINING AUTHORIT Y WWW.ITABC.CA ITA E-NEWS SUMMER 2011 6 7 Ourmovingexperience CheckyourOPSNs ITA is combining its separate Vancouver Customer Service Centre Five ITA Official Program Stan - • Sprinkler System Installer and Richmond administrative offices this summer — a change involv - dards Notifications (OPSNs) program CLICK HERE ing all of the agency’s 54 employees. covering B.C. trades training Inactiveprogram : Apprentices, They will merge at the end of August in a new Richmond location have been issued since the employers and others involved at 800–8100 Granville Avenue. There should be no interruption of spring issue of this newsletter. in the Electronics Technician service to clients. Programupdates : Changes (Consumer Products) program New phone numbers will be posted on the ITA website in early involving these programs were were notified that it was desig - August. Email addresses won’t change. issued and should be read in nated inactive because of low The new office is expected to be up and running on Monday, August 29. conjunction with individual participation. CLICK HERE “This initiative will have positive financial and cultural impacts on program profiles. CLICK HERE ITA will work with currently ITA’s operations, supporting our strategic objectives, and streamlining • Dairy Production Technician registered apprentices and internal processes to improve response times for our customers,” program CLICK HERE employers to see their training said ITA Corporate Services Manager Natalia Dumitrescu. • Lather program CLICK HERE completed. ITA also expects ongoing savings, she added, from a single operation • Plumber program CLICK HERE with fewer overheads and better internal communications. Afallfocusonsponsorship GetDirectAccessnow Two major events this fall will focus on expanding employer spon - It’s been smooth sailing for the “To receive login instructions sorship of apprentices as the B.C. economy continues recovering launch of ITA’s real-time Direct and activate your account,” he from the recession and confronts projected skills shortages. Access information system that said, “just email customerser - “Sponsorship levels declined last year, and that’s cause for concern as began in April — so smooth [email protected] .” there effectively is no industry training without sponsors,” said that apprentices and employer- In June, an ITA customer service ITA CEO Kevin Evans. sponsors who were waiting can specialist began working with Participants will address this now choose when to activate the 400 largest apprenticeship issue at these Vancouver events. their online accounts. sponsors, Robert added, “get - IndustryTrainingSummit “The initial plan was a controlled ting them active and productive We value your feedback October 17 — Sponsored by six-month rollout, but it’s gone on Direct Access. on the newsletter, your ITA, this is a collaboration of so well that anyone not using “The features generating the insights into industry the system yet can get on im - most interest are the ability to training in B.C. and major provincial and sector- mediately,” said Direct Access ideas for stories that specific industry and union enter work-based training hours we, or you, might write. organizations, including the Project Manager Robert Holley. and to register new apprentices. Thank you. B.C. Federation of Labour and Robert expects that all 40,000 Sponsors can also see informa - —ITA eNews Editor the Business Council of BC. apprentices and sponsors will tion for all their apprentices at Karen Zukas AnnualITAYouthDay have online access to their ITA once, the big picture, instead of Email [email protected] November 16 — The 2011 files by late September. a stream of incremental data edition of this event will bring (See Spring 2011 ITA eNews. ) on individuals.” Join Our together over 150 educators Mailing List and industry representatives from all parts of B.C. with an Forward to interest in ITA’s secondary a Friend school apprenticeship pro - grams. They will hear about the benefits of sponsorships from employers now fulfilling that role.

INDUSTRY TRAINING AUTHORIT Y WWW.ITABC.CA ITA E-NEWS SUMMER 2011 7 7