TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 21, 2006

Victoria … Construction unions have responded with guarded optimism to news of increased spending for trades training. The current $76 million for trades training will climb to over $115 million in the 2006 budget. However, unions are calling on the government to review its spending practices and policy on trades training in light of dismal completion statistics. The Industry Training Authority (ITA) recently admitted that completion rates have fallen by 40% over the last three years.

“The new money is a positive step but it’s time for the government to admit the failure of its ‘new model’ for trades training,” said Building Trades Executive Director, Wayne Peppard. “Doing away with apprenticeship counsellors and the elimination of compulsory trade designations are the main reasons for the rapid decline in apprenticeship completions” according to Peppard.

Alberta Industry Training (AIT) spends just $75 million on apprenticeship training and has been able increase the number of “Red Seal” (national standard) certifications to over 5,000 per year. Last year less than 1,600 apprentices completed “Red Seal” certification in BC.

“New ‘task specific’ certifications are another feature of the new model that have done nothing to secure the long-term health of the industry” according to Peppard. “Industry needs fully qualified workers with national “Red Seal” certificates. The ITA is weakening training with task training certificates” Peppard said.

“Alberta is doing more training with less money than is spent in BC. I call on the government to re-direct funding and re-staff the over 100 positions that were eliminated to create the ITA” Peppard said.

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For further information contact 

the BCYT-BCTC office:  604-291-9020

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