Could we get members back to their seats and the new panel of presenters forward to the table as we'd like to get started. We went a little over time, and we need to make up a bit of time.

We have here with us today Mark Douglas, executive director of policy and standards with the Government of Alberta Ministry of Enterprise and Advanced Education; Raymond E. Massey, chair of the Apprenticeship and Industry Training Board; and, of course, from the Government of New Brunswick, Mr. Mills, who has already presented. We welcome you back on the second panel.

We'll start the presentations and follow those with questions. We'll conclude at 10:45, unless we're interrupted otherwise.

10 a.m.

Dan Mills Director, Apprenticeship and Occupational Certification Branch, Department of Post-Secondary Education, Training and Labour, Government of New Brunswick

Thank you again, Mr. Chair. I'm now speaking on behalf of New Brunswick. I've left copies of my statements here as well, in both French and English.

The title of the brief is, “Counting Past Five: Apprenticeship in New Brunswick” and we talk about how many trades someone can name if you ask the general public. Unfortunately, we have come to call the apprenticeship program the best kept secret in New Brunswick. Not only is our general public unaware of the different routes in the apprenticeship program, but most are unable to recite more than five trades. When we tell people that there are 72 trades in New Brunswick, the reaction is inevitably astounding. Increasing the visibility and appeal of apprenticeship programs is critical to change, particularly for the youth of New Brunswick.

The myths associated with working in the trades must be set straight, and so too must the culture of work in the trades be modified in order to attract a broader audience of interest. High-achieving students, girls, women, first nations people, and university graduates who are underemployed or unemployed all need to consider the skilled trades.

In New Brunswick we understand that change must begin in the K to 12 system. With the reduction or removal of shop classes in many schools, it becomes a priority not only to talk to kids about the trades but also to get them on the tools. Currently we are partnering with high schools to facilitate a co-op experience for students and to offer trade fairs in conjunction with industry where hands-on experiences are provided.

Changing attitudes about the trades needs to include parents and those guiding students' career choices. Studies demonstrate that misconceptions about the trades lead parents, teachers, and guidance counsellors to steer high school students away from the skilled trades in favour of university studies and white-collar occupations and professions.

In partnership with the Women’s Issues Branch, New Brunswick puts on trade shows at high schools around the province. Parents, guidance counsellors, female students and female journeypersons volunteering as role models are all invited to attend. Stations are set up to allow girls to get their hands on tools, often for the first time in their lives. We need more of this type of exposure on a larger scale.

As you will recall, in the 1990s governments began laying the groundwork for the information highway with the goal of implementing a knowledge and information based economy. A 1996 report entitled “Building the Information Society: Moving Canada into the 21st Century” made policy recommendations that moved Canada toward this goal with the promise of the creation of a new society that would address the needs of all individuals economically, socially, and culturally.

Many years later, we are a connected global community. Computer and information technologies have shifted the way we work—

10:05 a.m.

Conservative

The Chair Conservative Ed Komarnicki

Mr. Mills, I have to interrupt you.

I understand the bells are ringing for a vote in the House. They're not ringing here, but they're flashing here. I just had the clerk check and she's advised me that the bells are ringing and the vote will be at 10:34, so we can't proceed without the consent of the committee.

We are a distance from the House, so that's somewhat problematic. We probably need to leave here at about a quarter after at the latest. Is the committee in unanimous agreement to go to 10:15, or is that going to be pushing it too close? It's too close.

We don't want to miss that. It's one of those unfortunate things. We'd be pushing it. We're quite a distance from the House, and we need to make sure we're there for the vote.

The only question I have now is whether we suspend or adjourn. I think we probably have to adjourn without hearing your testimonies. My thinking is that we'll have to receive your submissions and then maybe try to get you into a video conference or something like that. It's wise that we not proceed any further.

The meeting is adjourned.