The Government of Saskatchewan today announced amendments to the province鈥檚 Apprenticeship and Trade Certification Regulations, 2003, as part of its commitment to ensuring a quality apprenticeship system in the province, and to reducing inter-provincial barriers to labour mobility.
The amendments, which came into effect on November 24, 2016, support the Pan-Canadian Apprenticeship Mobility Protocol announced by Canada鈥檚 Premiers in 2015. This initiative is focused on improving the mobility of apprentices across the country through transparent, accessible and coherent processes.
鈥淪askatchewan鈥檚 apprenticeship system plays a key role in providing our province鈥檚 employers the skilled workers they need to help grow the economy,鈥� Economy Minister Jeremy Harrison said.聽 鈥淭oday鈥檚 announcement reflects our commitment to improving access to apprenticeship in the province and it also reduces red tape and helps ensure the regulations are as current as possible.鈥�
Important amendments to the regulations include the following:
Mobility of workers in Canada: Out-of-province apprentices registered in another province or territory in Canada will no longer be required to register with the Saskatchewan Apprenticeship and Trade Certification Commission (SATCC) in order to work in the province and gain the necessary on-the-job training hours toward certification.
Accessibility of apprenticeship in Saskatchewan: Workers in compulsory trades will have more time to meet the educational requirements necessary to register as an apprentice.聽 This allows more flexibility for those in extenuating circumstances, and SATCC will work with them to develop individualized training plans and help them meet the educational requirements.
Other amendments are focused on ensuring the trades and trade names designated in the regulations are up to date.
鈥淭he SATCC continually strives to enhance the apprenticeship and trade certification system in Saskatchewan,鈥� SATCC Board Chair Drew Tiefenbach said. 鈥淭hese amendments allow us to better serve apprentices, both within and outside our province, by improving worker mobility and increasing the accessibility of the apprenticeship system.鈥�
Saskatchewan鈥檚 apprenticeship system has experienced significant growth since 2007-08, with the number of training seats increasing by 84 per cent. In 2015-16, SATCC trained more than 6,800 apprentices.
鈥淥ur province produces outstanding journeypersons, due in large part to the quality of our apprenticeship training and certification system,鈥� Harrison said. 鈥淭hese amendments will help guarantee the continued success of this system and ensure it remains open and accessible for the benefit of employers and workers.鈥�
