Yes. Our apprenticeships are paid, so 80% of the training is done on the job, paid, and then 20% is go back to the classroom and learn to get to your next level.
I've recently read a study that compared 20 different variables of all the European countries and their apprenticeship training systems. What was quite remarkable was that the average age of an apprentice in Europe is around 17, whereas in Canada it's 28. So they clearly value apprenticeship and the skilled trades at a higher level earlier on, and they're available for more occupations than in Canada.
I think it even comes down to the nomenclature. In Canada apprentices who get their ticket are known as journey-persons, whereas in Europe they're considered master craftsmen. An analogy to hockey would be a journeyman hockey player is a third-line player--ten different teams, ten different seasons--whereas a master player is on the cover of a video game, and children want to buy his jersey.
So even something as simple as that might improve our completion rates in Canada and have parents and students appreciate the value of the skilled trades.