More young Nova Scotians will have the chance to gain valuable on-the-job training with changes to the province’s apprenticeship system.
Amendments to the province’s trade regulations increase training ratios for automotive service technician, truck and transport mechanic and cook apprentices from one apprentice per journeyperson to two apprentices per journeyperson.
“We need to attract more young people into the skilled trades,” said Marjorie Davison, CEO of the Nova Scotia Apprentice Agency. “This will double the number of opportunities for these high growth trades and allow more apprentices to get the training they need here in the province.”
Additional changes align the required hours for training with other provinces and territories, as well as reduce wait times for exam rewrites from three months to 30 days.
“It’s important that we’re able to attract and retain more apprentices,” said Tim Manuel, Nova Scotia Apprenticeship Agency board member and vice-president of fixed operations with O’Regan’s Automotive Group. “Increasing the ratio will allow us to hire and develop more apprentices and help everyone in meeting the growing demand for skilled workers in the Automotive trade.”
These changes, which are set to take effect in spring 2017, advance the province’s efforts to harmonize training and certification requirements with other provinces and territories and to improve mobility for those completing their training and certification out of the province.
Nova Scotia’s apprenticeship system prepares people for jobs in the skilled trades. The Nova Scotia Apprenticeship Agency is focusing on improving the number of apprenticeship opportunities in the province and helping apprentices complete their journey to certification.
Source: Release