rethinking second career: what about an apprenticeship? heather powell-sidhu powellh@thecentre.on.ca...

Rethinking Second Career: What About an Apprenticeship?

Heather Powell-Sidhupowellh@thecentre.on.caMonday January 26th 2015

Outline for Presentation

1) What is an apprenticeship? How does it work?

2) How do we view apprenticeships?3) Apprenticeship vs Non-Apprenticeship4) Counsellors Hesitation: Fear of the unknown?5) Making apprenticeship: the new second career6) Tips, resources and questions

Small Group Activity

At your table, please introduce yourself and state what the first thing is that comes to your mind when you hear the word, “Apprenticeship”.

You will have 5 mins for this activity and we will be sharing with the whole group.

And we said…….

• “Trades”: Plumber, Electrician, Auto-Mechanic, Hairdresser and Chef

• Learning on the job• In demand• Hard to find opportunities• Confusion• Long term investment• MAKING BIG $$$$$$$$$$$$

Official Definition

“An apprentice is someone who learns a skilled trade on the job, under the direction of more experienced workers. Apprentices also complete classroom instruction as a part of their training.”

Source:Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities (Ontario)http://www.tcu.gov.on.ca/eng/apprentices/faq.htmlJanuary 2/2015

What is a Red Seal???“The Red Seal Program is the Canadian standard of excellence for skilled trades. Formally known as the Interprovincial Standards Red Seal Program, it sets common standards to assess the skills of tradespersons across Canada. Tradespersons who meet the Red Seal standards receive a Red Seal endorsement on their provincial/territorial trade certificates.”

Source: Red Seal Program. http://www.red-seal.ca/about/pr.4gr.1m@-eng.jsp

SMALL GROUP ACTIVITY: Numbers!In your small group, write down a number for each of the following:1)# of apprenticeship opportunities in Canada2)#of Red Seal opportunities in Canada3) # of apprenticeship opportunities in Ontario

You have 1 min!!!!

Answers!

• Over 200 apprenticeship opportunities in Canada and 160 in Ontario

• 57 Red Seal Opportunities

Have you heard of? Drywall Finisher and Plasterer Information Technology - Contact Centre Technical Support Agent Truck and Coach Mechanic Optics Technician (Lens and Prism Maker) Automotive Glass Technician Industrial Mechanic Millwright Brick and Stone Mason Child and Youth Worker Appliance Service Technician Computer Numerical Control (CNC) Programmer Special Events Coordinator Heavy Equipment Operator - Tractor Loader Backhoe

The Demand!http://www.canadianliving.com/life/work/canadas_10_hottest_job_industries_finance_construction_nursing_pharmacy_and_more.phphttp://www.canadianbusiness.com/lists-and-rankings/best-jobs/2014-skilled-trades-jobs-top-10/http://www.workopolis.com/content/advice/article/15-in-demand-jobs-in-canada-that-are-waiting-to-be-filled-right-now/http://nacc.ca/the-5-best-skilled-trades-jobs-in-canada/http://www.careersintrades.ca/index.php?page=why-the-trades&hl=en_CA

Trades are being promoted everywhere, but are we promoting them?

Assumptions?• Trades= no “office jobs”• You need to be good with your hands• Dirty rough work.• Takes a long time to become a trades person• Only for young people

Who promotes these stereotypes?Friends, co-workers, family and employment counsellors

They said what?Canadian Living Journal: Canada’s Hottest Jobs: Dec 2013.

“If you don't want an office job but do want a salary that pays above the national average, this is the sector for you. Unfortunately (or fortunately for you, depending on how you look at it), the skilled trades have suffered stigmatization for a generation. As a result, a shortage of tradespeople is looming in the service (chefs, horticulturalists), construction (electricians, carpenters, plumbers), transportation (aviation technicians, automotive service technicians) and manufacturing (industrial mechanics, tool and die makers) sectors.”

Non-Apprenticeship vs Apprenticeship

Non-Apprenticeship• Attend school full-time

ranging between 1-4 years• Work part-time, co-op,

summer positions to get experience

• Education debt• Finish school, try to get

experience and take a entry level position

Apprenticeship• Work for about six months

to a year, attend school for a few weeks, return to work and making $$$.

• Get experience and education at the same time.

• Make $$$$• Finish school and on the job

training: become a journey-person

What does all this mean?• Pursing an apprenticeship could be beneficial

in the long term and short term for unemployed clients

• Assist in meeting Employed targets (69% employed target needed for Employment Ontario Services)

• Can assist in breaking the cycle of poverty

What are you waiting for?

SMALL GROUP ACTIVITY:Discuss in your table group, why you think employment counsellors/advisors may avoid discussing apprenticeships?

Reasons

• Confused about the process• Client wants an “insist fix”• Seems like a long process• Involves the “government”• Anything else?

Small Group Activity

• In your small groups, discuss how you could assist your organization with becoming more comfortable in discussing apprenticeships with clients?

Change it• Make apprenticeship, part of your culture• Take to stay away from having specialist:

Competence must be across the board• Have a visit from Government bodies, Trade

Associations or other organizations involved with apprenticeships

• Reinforce the message at staff meetings, have workshops and attending information sessions

• Show how it will impact your bottom line• How will it help clients!

Resources and Final Tips

Link to Wiki: https://sites.google.com/site/apprenticeshipinformation/home

Final Tips• Invest for the long haul• Reinforce the message• Do not be afraid!