Government of Canada funds project with the Trowel Trades Training Association to help apprentices in Surrey Centre

SURREY, BC, June 8, 2018 /CNW/ - Canada's changing economy and investments in infrastructure make skills training critical to our future. Union-based skills training is a key element to achieving the Government's commitment to get more people working in the skilled trades while also reducing barriers for apprentices to complete their training.

That's why today, Randeep Sarai, Member of Parliament for Surrey Centre, on behalf of the Honourable Patty Hajdu, Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Labour, announced a project that will invest in training equipment and materials to help apprentices get the skills they need to succeed. This project is funded under the Union Training and Innovation Program (UTIP).

The Government of Canada will provide over $414,992 over four and a half years in Union Training and Innovation Program delivered by the Trowel Trades Training Association. The organization will purchase equipment that will help participants as they develop their skills to help them get skilled trades jobs in construction and service sectors.

As a result of this project, which is being funded under Stream 1 of UTIP, the Trowel Trades Training Association will be able to purchase the necessary equipment in order to provide a high-quality of training to their apprentices. The new purchases include a new tire lift truck, new lifts, a hydraulic breaker, air compressor and other related equipment.

To further help underrepresented groups in the trades, Budget 2018 announced three new initiatives:

• $46 million over 5 years, starting in 2018?19, with $10 million per year ongoing, for a new Pre-Apprenticeship Program;
• $19.9 million over 5 years, starting in 2018?19, to support an Apprenticeship Incentive Grant for Women, a 5-year pilot project where women in male-dominated Red Seal trades would receive a new grant of $3,000 for each of their first 2 years of training. This, in combination with the existing Apprenticeship Completion Grant valued at $2,000, will result in a total of $8,000 in support over the course of their training; and
• $10 million over 3 years, starting in 2018?19, for the new Women in Construction Fund which will build on existing models that have proven to be effective in attracting women to the trades. These models provide supports such as mentoring, coaching and tailored supports that help women progress through their training and find and retain jobs in the trades.

As Canada's economy continues to grow and create good, well-paying jobs, the Government will ensure that all Canadians share in and benefit from this success.

Quotes

"Canada's future success depends on building an economy that is as inclusive as it is innovative. Our government is proud of this project that will help apprentices in Surrey, and especially those who face additional barriers to participate and succeed in the skilled trades, start exciting and well-paying careers in the trades." 
? The Honourable Patty Hajdu, Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Labour

"The Union Training and Innovation Program will help new generations of workers benefit from the mentorship and training that unions are so well-equipped to offer. Through this project in Surrey Centre, our government is building stronger communities and strengthening the middle class.The Trowel Trades Training Association provides outstanding mentorship to their apprentices hoping to gain skilled trades training that sets them apart from others. As a result, many of their apprentices enter the workforce with remarkable training and skills that enable them to excel in their careers. Therefore I am pleased that our government has contributed $414,992 towards the equipment that the Trowel Trades Training Association requires to provide an exceptional apprenticeship experience to each of their program participants." 
? MP Randeep Sarai

"IUBAC Local 2 and OPCMIA 919 have been working hard to provide relevant, just in time, training so Craftworkers are "Ready to Work" on schools, hospitals, smelters, boilers, highways and other industrial projects as Canada, particularly BC, expands infrastructure, providing fantastic job and apprenticeship opportunities in brick, stone, tile, marble, terrazzo, concrete and plastering. Our partnership with ESDC has allowed us to purchase the equipment to provide hands on training and certification for Craftworkers and enhance the participation of women, first nations, returning veterans and newcomers to Canada. Our industry partners, our contractors and suppliers, our apprentices, journeypersons and training boards will all benefit by improvements in skill levels, diversity in the work place, and in lasting benefits to our communities."
? Geoff Higginson, President of International Union of Bricklayers & Allied Craftworkers

Quick Facts

• The Union Training and Innovation Program was launched in 2017?18 with initial funding of $10 million and $25 million annually.
• The Government of Canada also provides a range of supports to apprentices to help them complete their training and become certified. These include grants, loans and tax credits and Employment Insurance supports during technical training.
• Between January 2015 and January 2018, almost 52,000 Canada Apprentice Loans totaling over $200 million have been provided to apprentices.
• Since the introduction of the Apprenticeship Grants program, over 750,300 grants have been issued to apprentices, representing $961.2 million in funding. As of February 18, 2018 almost 539,500 Apprentice Incentive Grants have been issued, representing $539.5 million in funding, and over 210,800 Apprentice Completion Grants have been issued, representing $421.7 million in funding to apprentices.

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Backgrounder

The Union Training and Innovation Program, which was announced in Budget 2016, targets the Red Seal trades and involves broad-based partnerships with a number of stakeholders. It is expected that the Program will:

• help improve the quality of training through investments in equipment;
• support innovative approaches and partnerships with other stakeholders; and
• reduce barriers to participation and success in the trades for key groups including women and Indigenous people.

The Program, which has two streams, is open to all unions, including those that do not provide training recognized by provinces and territories as technical apprenticeship training, and those that do not operate training facilities.

Stream 1 helps unions purchase new and up-to-date training equipment. Continuous technological change puts pressure on training providers to ensure workers are developing the right skills needed on the jobsite.

Stream 2 focuses on innovative approaches to help address challenges limiting apprenticeship outcomes, including barriers to participation and success in the trades for key groups such as women and Indigenous people. This stream is open to a range of stakeholders and partners, but unions need to be involved, either as the lead or as a partner on projects. 

The Government of Canada invests significantly in apprenticeship through grants, loans, tax credits, Employment Insurance benefits (during in-school training), project funding and support for the Red Seal program. The Government is also working with the provinces and territories to harmonize apprenticeship training requirements in targeted Red Seal trades.

SOURCE Employment and Social Development Canada