The B.C. government’s new Apprentices on Public Projects policy is going to connect more young people to the skills and training they need to be first in line for careers in construction, Shirley Bond, Minister of Jobs, Tourism and Skills Training and Minister Responsible for Labour announced today.

The new policy will leverage government’s multi-billion dollar annual investment in infrastructure by requiring contractors working on major public construction projects like schools, roads, bridges and hospitals with a $15-million-plus government investment to sponsor apprentices through the entire project cycle and report on their on-project use prior to receiving their final payment. The policy applies to projects tendered after July 1, 2015.

The policy aims to ensure British Columbians are trained to fill the million job openings expected between now and 2022 - with 44% in the skilled trades and technical occupations. It will also help meet the labour workforce requirements of private sector projects - a key goal given last week’s agreement between the Province and Pacific NorthWest LNG setting the stage for a potential $36-billion investment.

The policy helps deliver on B.C.’s Skills for Jobs Blueprint launched one year ago to re-engineer education and training so B.C. is connecting people with the skills required for in demand jobs.

Much of the driving force to increase opportunities for apprenticeship sponsorship comes from recommendations made in two reports: the McDonald ITA Report and the Premier’s Liquefied Natural Gas Working Group, which aspires to a goal of having 25% of overall workforce on LNG-related construction projects to be apprenticeable trades. Government also held extensive consultations with stakeholders from the construction industry.

Beyond the requirement for projects over $15 million, the government also encourages companies working on smaller projects to put apprentices to work and to share reports on apprentices being employed.

Quotes:

Shirley Bond, Minister of Jobs, Tourism and Skills Training and Responsible for Labour -

“This policy is going to help us deliver apprenticeship opportunities and connect young people with the skills they need to find their fit in B.C.’s diverse, strong and growing economy. Government is leveraging its major construction investments to help meet our goal of aligning skills training with in-demand careers. Taking these steps today is one step in building the workforce of tomorrow with British Columbians at the front of the line.”

Gary Herman, CEO, Industry Training Authority (ITA) -

“Employer sponsors are key to guaranteeing a skilled workforce needed to sustain and grow our economy. This policy ensures apprentices have opportunities to gain experience that aligns with labour market demands so they have the right skills in the right place at the right time for the future.”

Tom Sigurdson, executive director, BC Building Trades-

“This government initiative is extremely important to building the skilled trades in our province. Apprentices can only complete their apprenticeship when they have the opportunity to take classroom theory on to the job site. Building the B.C. economy cannot be done without building the skills and talents of the young men and women who build B.C.”

Robert Lashin, president, Houle Electric -

“For the sustainability of the construction industry, we need apprenticeship training in which everyone participates. By having a policy like this, government is setting a standard but is not being prescriptive. Trade contractors that want to be involved in public projects must support apprenticeship training and, in turn, these companies are showing a commitment to the future of their craft.”

Larry Richardson, director of training, CLAC   -

“CLAC supports tracking of apprenticeship numbers on public projects. You measure what you want to improve.  We are committed to building better lives for our members through apprenticeship completion opportunities.”

Wayne Marsden, field personnel advisor, PCL Constructors Westcoast -

“A policy like this has been a long time coming. It's a fabulous step in the right direction for employing more apprentices in the trades. PCL is regularly visiting schools, promoting opportunities in the industry and talking to young people about the benefits of construction careers. This policy is another way to ensure companies are offering young people the experience they need.”

Danny Mott, president, Mott Electric -

“Mott Electric GP is duly supportive of the government initiative to foster and promote the engagement of apprentices on government funded projects. This step will go a long way to improve access for apprentices and create viable employment opportunities over the duration of their four-year program.”

Dave Flint, B.C. regional manager, Flynn Canada -

“Apprentices play an important part in ensuring we have a skilled, experienced workforce for the future. This policy is a clear recognition of their value in B.C. We’re really happy with the high level of input that government requested from our industry in developing its policy.”

Quick facts:

• The B.C. Labour market Outlook indicates that by 2022, there will be one million job openings in British Columbia driven by retirements and a growing economy.
• 78% of these openings will require post-secondary education and training.
• 44% will be in skilled trades or technical occupations.
• Over the next 10 years, hundreds of major projects will be underway in B.C., many of them slated for Northern B.C.

Learn More:

B.C.’s Skills for Jobs Blueprint One-Year Update: http://www.workbc.ca/blueprintaction

Industry Training Authority (ITA): http://www.itabc.ca/

Apprentice Job Match: http://www.workbc.ca/Job-Seekers/Trades-and-Apprenticeship.aspx

Media Contacts:

Media Relations
Ministry of Jobs, Tourism and Skills Training
and Responsible for Labour
250 387-2799

BACKGROUNDER 1

Apprentices on public projects

Why require apprentices?

It is important apprentices gain on-the-job experience and it’s equally important companies offer apprentices those training opportunities. The B.C. government is a major investor in construction and can help maximize B.C.’s supply of experienced tradespeople. Data supplied by contractors will also help us to better understand apprentice use on public projects.

Much of the driving force to increase opportunities for apprenticeship sponsorship comes from recommendations made in B.C.’s Skills for Jobs Blueprint based on two reports: The Industry Training Authority and Trades Training in BC: Recalibrating for High Performance (McDonald  Report and the Premier’s Liquefied Natural Gas Working Group.

The Policy:

All prime contractors on construction infrastructure projects procured after July 1, 2015 with a provincial investment of $15 million or more will be required to:

1. Demonstrate an Engagement in Apprenticeship Training

• Each prime contractor must use, and ensure that its subcontractors use, registered apprentice(s) in contracts valued at more than $500,000, where the primary scope of work is in one of the 57 Red Seal trades. For a list of the Red Seal trades please visit: www.itabc.ca/red-seal-program
• Registered apprentices must be used directly on the project throughout the term of the contracts.

2. Report on the Use of Registered Apprentices

• Complete and submit Confirmation of Intent to Use Registered Apprentices. The Province uses the submitted information to confirm that prime contractors and their subcontractors are planning to use registered apprentices on the project.

Prime contractors are to provide apprenticeship data for all contracts where the primary scope of work is in a Red Seal trade by completing and submitting an Apprentice Utilization Report, quarterly and at the end of the project. The Province uses the information to monitor compliance with this policy and to track whether registered Red Seal apprentices are being used on the project.  For those projects with a total provincial investment less than $15 million, prime contractors are encouraged to adopt best practices, including engaging in apprenticeship training and reporting on the use of registered apprentices and trainees. 

Application

The policy applies to all major infrastructure projects undertaken by all Ministries, Health Authorities, Boards of Education, public Post-Secondary Institutions and B.C. Hydro.

Where to begin?

If a company does not currently employ an apprentice, it is easy to register with the Industry Training Authority: www.itabc.ca

Learn more:

Connect by email:  publicprojects@gov.bc.ca

Media Contacts:

Media Relations
Ministry of Jobs, Tourism and Skills Training
and Responsible for Labour
250 387-2799

BACKGROUNDER 2

Support available for employers and apprentices

B.C.’s economy is strong, diverse and growing - and so is the need for skilled tradespeople. The B.C. government is supporting apprentices getting experience and hours toward certification with its new policy. There are several programs now available for B.C. employers and apprentices.

For Employers:

• The Training Tax Credit for employers provides refundable income tax credits for employers who employ apprentices enrolled in apprenticeship programs administered through the Industry Training Authority: http://ow.ly/LVsj1
• The Shipbuilding and Ship Repair Industry Tax Credit is a new tax credit for eligible employers in the B.C. shipbuilding and ship repair industry: http://ow.ly/LVsyn
• The Apprenticeship Job Creation Tax Credit is a non-refundable tax credit equal to 10% of eligible salaries and wages: http://ow.ly/LVsIZ

For Apprentices:

• The training tax credit for apprentices provides refundable income tax credits for apprentices enrolled in ITA programs: http://ow.ly/LVzjI
• BC Access Grant offers students in need up to $16,400: http://ow.ly/LVzyq
• The Federal Tradesperson’s Tools Deduction: http://www.cra-arc.gc.ca/trades/
•  Apprenticeship Incentive Grant: http://ow.ly/LVtjw
• The Apprenticeship Completion Grant: http://ow.ly/LVtyj
• The Canada Apprentice Loan (CAL), will provide apprentices registered in Red Seal trades with interest-free loans: http://www.esdc.gc.ca/eng/jobs/trades/index.shtml
• New online tools are available at: www.workBC.ca including the Trades Seat Finder - http://www.tradestrainingbc.ca/- and Apprentice Job Match - https://www.workbc.ca/Job-Seekers/Trades-and-Apprenticeship.aspx
• Industry Training Authority apprenticeship advisors - http://www.itabc.ca/our-trades-training-system/apprenticeship-advisors - help apprentices and employers navigate B.C.’s trades training system: www.itabc.ca

Media Contacts:

Media Relations
Ministry of Jobs, Tourism and Skills Training
and Responsible for Labour
250 387-2799