In Ontario, a Community College Model of Learning in the Regions

By Denis Brouillette // Manager of Apprenticeship Programs, Collège Boréal

The apprenticeship model in Ontario was designed for people who are already employed but who want to upgrade their skills and become qualified professionals in a recognized skilled trade. It includes technical apprenticeship, which is done on the job, and accounts for 85-90% of the learner’s time and theoretical apprenticeship, which accounts for the remaining 10-15% of their time. This theoretical learning is offered by various colleges across the province. Depending on the type of apprenticeship, the academic training will be delivered in two or three blocks of courses, corresponding to levels, and grouped over periods of about eight weeks. For example, a hairstylist apprentice would require two sessions of classroom instruction and approximately 3,500 hours of work. On the other hand, an electrical apprentice would need three theoretical sessions and about 9,000 hours of work. For this reason, the length of an apprenticeship varies from three to five years, depending on the trade. To avoid any penalization, apprentices are covered by employment insurance during their theoretical training, since the 30 hours per week of theoretical training does not allow them to work.

Denis Brouillette, Manager of Apprenticeship Programs at Collège Boréal, believes that apprenticeship programs allow apprentices to progress efficiently. Once the first level of theory is completed, they can then apply that theory for another year or two when they return to work. The apprentice can then move on to the next level with a better understanding of what they have learned, until they take their qualifying exam at the end of the program.

Apprenticeship in Ontario covers several types of trades: traditional trades, such as construction, but also service trades, which are perhaps less well known. In 2022, there are 144 trades that are "recognized" and apprenticed in four different sectors: construction, industrial, motive power and service. They all share a standardized training process that leads to provincial certification.

Ontario is updating its list of apprenticeship trades to meet and adjust to labour market needs. For example, the helping trades, introduced in the late 2010s, responded to a need to standardize workers’ skills in these sectors.

At the end of 2021, Collège Boréal offered apprenticeship programs in nearly fifteen trades: electricians, truck and bus maintenance technicians, plumbers, child development practitioners and teacher assistants, to name a few. These programs were available in-person at campuses in Northern Ontario or online.

Because apprenticeships are designed to meet the needs identified in the various sectors of activity, their costs are largely covered by the province. Denis Brouillette explains that approximately 85% of the costs of apprenticeship training are covered by the Ministry of Labour, Training and Skills Development, with the remaining 15% paid by the apprentices. But unlike other types of training, people who wish to follow an apprenticeship program must have a job and the agreement of their employer. If not, they can start by taking a pre-apprenticeship course, which will increase their chances of finding an employer interested in taking on a future apprentice.

Each year, the Ministry launches a call for proposals for various pre-apprenticeship training programs based on the estimated needs of the various business segments, particularly in the construction and mechanical sectors.

For Denis Brouillette, these programs are especially relevant for both young college students who are unsure about their career choices and professionals who want to learn more before making a career change. These training courses are completely free, lasting from 25 to 35 weeks, and include basic skills upgrading, math upgrading, skills training in the trade or group of trades being contemplated by the participants, health and safety training, and finally, an eight- to twelve-week work internship.

These types of training have been in place for about 15 years in Ontario. They offer a first glimpse into what the skilled trade is really like, but also the chance to find an employer through the internship who will be interested in having an apprentice for a few years and in accompanying this person through to his or her certification.

Collège Boréal has adapted over the years by offering preapprenticeship programs exclusively to female participants in such traditional trades as construction or mechanics. Still today, few women choose careers in electricity, carpentry or welding, so these programs allow them to experiment and to gain confidence without fear of being judged.

These programs are also intended to address labour shortages in several sectors, something that is now prompting certain employers to consider hiring women to fill their needs. He says that participant profiles vary greatly: they come from high school or have chosen to change careers, and all active age groups are represented, from 18 to 50 years.

With ten female participants just wrapping up a preapprenticeship program in carpentry, the manager of apprenticeship programs is pleased with the move to integrate women into the traditional trades. He believes, however, that there is room for even more women interested in this type of career. When asked about the impact of labour shortages on the popularity of apprenticeship programs, Denis Brouillette says he suspects it will not be any easier for employers looking to take on apprentices. He is also concerned that certain careers types have lagged behind for re-training during the pandemic. The service sector has suffered: many people working in hairdressing, hospitality and early childcare have left their jobs to pursue other careers. However, he believes that apprenticeships are still a very relevant type of training, as there is a great need for skilled labour. For this reason, much effort has been made to promote the trades and apprenticeship training. Collège Boréal will continue to offer apprenticeship and pre-apprenticeship training every year in several different regions, in order to meet the needs of the industry and accommodate apprentices who need to travel to complete their theoretical training, but also to continue serving the province's French-speaking communities. ■

STILL TODAY, FEW WOMEN CHOOSE CAREERS IN ELECTRICITY, CARPENTRY OR WELDING, SO THESE PROGRAMS ALLOW THEM TO EXPERIMENT AND TO GAIN CONFIDENCE WITHOUT FEAR OF BEING JUDGED.