Frequently Asked Questions

Answer #1

The apprenticeship tool kit has been created to assist employers, industry, unions and potential apprentices with apprenticeship development. In the past there has been an apprenticeship counselor in place to make sure the employer and apprentice were meeting the standards set out by the apprenticeship board but this is no longer available. With the resources provided in the tool kit, the employer and apprentice has the ability to create a comprehensive training program and a successful apprenticeship.

Answer #2

If this is a career change or your brand new to trades training then its best to research the different trades and employment opportunities in your area, to make informed decisions. This web site has a BC Information Trades Grid that will give you a list of all trades in British Columbia and what is required for education, cost and training in the trade.
In order to have an apprenticeship, an employer has to indenture you. Some people take an entry level trades training program at a College and then go out and find an employer to apprentice under. Other people find the employer first and then register into apprenticeship training at a College for four years, most sessions are six weeks in length.

Answer #3

The role of the ITA has changed in the last couple of years. The employer and apprentice are now responsible for all aspects of apprenticeship training ie scheduling, training costs and training standards.

The ITA is responsible for the overall governance and development of the industry training system in B.C. Roles and responsibilities include:

• working with industry to identify current and emerging skills requirements, and to explore training and certification options;

• working with public and private training providers to coordinate and maximize the efficiency of training, and providing funding to them;

• providing quality standards for training and credentials that are consistent with industry needs, provincial regulations, and national Red Seal standards where applicable; and

• providing services to apprentices (registration, examinations, etc.) through its service bureau, the Industry Training Centre.

Answer #4

The Apprenticeship Record Book was created in partnership with Northern Lights College and is currently NOT recognized by the ITA. Employers, Industry and Apprentices requested an apprenticeship record book that would be used to maintain a record of the four years of training; everything from on the job to apprenticeship training and apprentice share. The apprentice will look after the record book and it his or her responsibility to have instructors, employers or journey person’s endorse (sign) the record book. This is a valuable tool that is a great record of employment for the apprentice.

Answer #5

The employer needs to understand that Apprentice Share is an opportunity to meet his employment needs, promote apprenticeship training and have a well rounded employee that has a lot of valuable work experience. Download the Apprentice Share Model and Apprentice Share Worksheet to discuss with your employer or potential employer. Also have the employer contact the Employer Ambassadors who participated in the Apprentice Share to gain more information.

Answer #6

There are NO specific programs for apprenticeship costs for either the employer or the apprentice. Incentives have been proposed for employers who hire new apprentices to the Provincial Government and a lot of trades organizations are lobbying for changes like tax incentives, summer grant programs, apprenticeship bursaries or student loans but nothing has transpired to date.

Answer #7

Apprenticeship Development is about investment. When the employer and the apprentice believe in the apprenticeship and have written guarantees that make each other accountable and committed, apprenticeships work. A common comment from employers is that apprentices don’t stick around or get poached by other companies. No one wants to invest four years of training to lose a valuable apprentice to someone else. Discuss the forms with the employer or apprentice as it’s a worthwhile venture.

Answer #8

First step is to contact a counselor at the school your daughter/son attends and discuss apprenticeship. Not all School Districts have apprenticeship counselors so there might not be anyone assigned to assist you and your daughter/son to find an apprenticeship. Some School Districts have Career Technical Centres that offer trades apprenticeship programs in partnership with a College. ITA has just developed a program called ACE IT! which offers some theory trades programs at the High School. If you assist your daughter/son in finding an employer to apprentice under your daughter/son can still graduate and receive dual credits toward apprenticeship and graduation. Keep asking questions and persevere.

Answer #9

The employer ambassadors listed on this web site have been chosen because of their commitment and understanding of apprenticeship and training. They have agreed to use the resources available in this web site and help promote apprenticeships in Prince George and area. Some of the Employer Ambassadors are piloting the Apprentice Share Model and working with another employer to keep the apprentice employed for the four years. Contact them and get informed!

Answer #10

First step is to have a look at the apprenticeship toolkit web site and see what resources you can use to assist you with creating a thorough apprenticeship for your apprentice and yourself. Some of the highlights that should be read or downloaded are the apprenticeship agreement form, apprenticeship process in BC, Return for Service Agreement, ITA registration form, CNC apprenticeship training schedule, the course outline for the trade and lastly the apprenticeship record book.

Answer #11

Once you have sent in the ITA registration form it takes approximately three weeks. The employer will receive an ITA registration number and the apprentice will receive an ITA apprenticeship card with his/her registration number. You can have the apprentice working for you while you're waiting on the paperwork and all hours will be backdated.

Answer #12

ITA has a form that you both will need to fill out. It can be downloaded off the ITA web site or you can ask an employer ambassador for a copy of it. The form is called Credit for Prior Learning and Experience Addendum. Previous employers will have to be contacted and write a letter confirming employment on company letterhead. The employment should be explained in amount of hours and detail the specific work the apprentice did for the employer. It will then be compared to the four year apprenticeship requirements and ITA will determine which years the apprentice will get credit for.

Answer #13

If you are registering the apprentice at CNC then you need to wait on your ITA registration numbers and then download the CNC apprenticeship registration form or ask an employer ambassador for a copy. Both registration numbers have to accompany the form. There is also an apprenticeship training schedule on the web site which will give you the dates for training for the next couple of years. All BC College's have wait lists for most trades programs, so it is recommended to register at different institutions if you have a set time/date you want the apprentice to take his training.

"The Government of Canada has contributed funding to this initiative."