A survey of more than 3,000 former apprenticeship students in British Columbia shows that a career in the trades can pay off, with 90% of employed respondents working in a field related to their training and earning a median wage of $28 an hour.

“The survey confirms that the outcomes for B.C. apprenticeship students are excellent,” said Advanced Education Minister Andrew Wilkinson. “Apprentices are getting the high-quality training they need to find good trades jobs following the completion of their programs.”

The 2014 Apprenticeship Student Outcomes Survey includes the following highlights:

• 89% of former apprenticeship students who responded were employed.
• 93% of respondents were “very satisfied” or “satisfied” with their in-school training.
• 91% of respondents were “very satisfied” or “satisfied” with their workplace training.
• 27 was the median age of respondents at the time of the survey (ages ranged from 17 to 67).
• 58% of former apprenticeship students were in one of three program groups: welding and precision production (27%), electrician (16%), culinary arts and personal services (15%).
• 79% of respondents took in-school training in the public post-secondary sector.

“Ensuring our young people have the skills they need to find a well-paying family supporting job in their chosen field is a priority for our government under the Skills for Jobs Blueprint,” said Shirley Bond, Minister of Jobs, Tourism and Skills Training and Minister Responsible for Labour. “This survey shows that our support for the skilled trades is helping apprentices to find their fit in our diverse, strong and growing economy.”

B.C.’s Skills for Jobs Blueprint outlines a plan to align funding and programs to a data-driven system where training dollars and programs target in-demand occupations. Since the launch of the Blueprint in April 2014, government has:

• Targeted $13 million to reduce wait lists in high-demand trades critical to a diverse economy, creating 2,917 additional critical trade seats at 14 public post-secondary institutions.
• Provided $17 million to 14 public post-secondary institutions to purchase new trades training equipment.
• Provided more than $72 million in funding towards skills and training infrastructure.

The 2014 Apprenticeship Student Outcomes Survey is the tenth annual survey of former apprenticeship students. A total of 5,698 apprentices who completed their apprenticeship training at a B.C. public or private post-secondary institution between July 1, 2012, and June 30, 2013, were eligible. The survey was conducted from January to May 2014. There were 3,046 apprenticeship respondents throughout the province, for a response rate of 53%.

British Columbia will need more skilled tradespeople in the years ahead. Taking steps now to encourage employers to sponsor apprentices is an important way to address the workforce needs of the province. It is critical for youth and others looking to get into the workforce to have employers who are willing to help them achieve their certification.

Learn More:

Province-wide highlights of the 2014 Apprenticeship Student Outcomes Survey can be viewed in the BC Student Outcomes: The 2014 Highlights report at: http://outcomes.bcstats.gov.bc.ca/Publications/AboutPublications.aspx

To view the 2014 Apprenticeship Student Outcomes Survey Report of Findings, which focuses on traditional apprenticeships, visit: http://outcomes.bcstats.gov.bc.ca/WhatsNew/15-09-18/2014_Apprenticeship_Survey_Report_of_Findings.aspx

Traditional apprentices must complete all levels of training before they can write their certification exams.

To find out more about B.C.’s Skills for Jobs Blueprint: https://www.workbc.ca/Job-Seekers/Skills-and-Training/B-C-%E2%80%99s-Skills-for-Jobs-Blueprint.aspx

Find open trades training seats: https://www.tradestrainingbc.ca/

For more information about apprenticeship programs in B.C., visit the Industry Training Authority website: http://www.itabc.ca/

The B.C. Access Grant for Labour Market Priorities allows students to access trades training, and includes a component for eligible students wishing to relocate to attend an eligible public institution: https://studentaidbc.ca/explore/grants-scholarships/bc-access-grant-labour-market-priorities

Ministry of Advanced Education and investments in trades training fact sheet: https://news.gov.bc.ca/factsheets/factsheet-bcs-skills-for-jobs-blueprint

British Columbia 2024 Labour Market Outlook: https://www.workbc.ca/WorkBC/media/WorkBC/Documents/Docs/BC-LM-Outlook-2014-2024.pdf