Thanks, Mr. Chair.
I should clarify that I'm not here representing the Government of Saskatchewan, but rather the Saskatchewan Apprenticeship and Trade Certification Commission, which is the commission responsible for apprenticeship in Saskatchewan.
I do very much appreciate the opportunity to present to you today. I also appreciate the interest this committee has taken in economic opportunities for young apprentices.
The Saskatchewan Apprenticeship and Trade Certification Commission has a vision of a skilled and representative trades workforce which is industry trained and certified. The mandate is to develop and execute a relevant, accessible, and responsible apprenticeship training and certification system to meet the needs of employers, apprentices, journeypersons, and tradespersons.
I do want to take the opportunity to thank Human Resources and Skills Development Canada, HRSDC, trades and apprenticeship resources for their work with the Canadian Council of Directors of Apprenticeship, CCDA. HRSDC has provided much of the support work for the CCDA and its committees, and that effort is greatly appreciated.
Here in Saskatchewan, where this morning it is a balmy -49° with the wind chill, the number of registered apprentices within the system continues to grow along with Saskatchewan's economy. Unlike the temperature, the economy is very hot right now, resulting in increased needs for skilled labour.
Since June 2007 the number of registered apprentices in Saskatchewan has increased by 43% from 6,779 to 9,724. The number of apprentices in technical training also continues to increase each year, from 3,200 in 2005-06 to over 6,300 in 2012-13. Saskatchewan is quite proud to have a very high success rate on the interprovincial Red Seal examination, which is used as our certification examination. In 2011, 81% of Saskatchewan apprentices passed the Red Seal examination, in comparison to the national average of 78%.
In Saskatchewan we have put some initiatives in place to encourage young people to choose a career in the skilled trades. The Saskatchewan youth apprenticeship, SYA, program provides youth with a series of activities to encourage interest in careers in the skilled trades. Youth benefit in the form of trade time hours and registration and tuition credit for completing the program.
The Saskatchewan youth apprenticeship industry scholarship program was also created through funding from industry and the provincial government in order to provide 80 graduating high school students each year with a $1,000 scholarship to be paid upon completion of one year of apprenticeship or post-secondary study in a designated trade.
However, there are a few issues regarding youth employment that have been brought to our attention. Often youth have difficulty in finding that first job in the skilled trade and an employer or apprenticeship sponsor because of some lack of experience.
The recommendation is often for youth to engage in a pre-employment program. As an example, the Regina and Saskatoon trade and skill centres have a direct connection with employers and employment, and youth have enjoyed much employment success following these programs.
Another commonly occurring issue is that apprentices who are eligible for technical training choose not to attend. One of the reasons given is that apprentices cannot afford to attend the technical training. Now while they are eligible for employment insurance, the time gap between applying for and receiving EI payments is sometimes too long and the apprentices cannot survive financially while awaiting EI payments.
The performance score card for service Canada reports that 83.9% of those who file for EI are either paid the benefit or a non-payment notification is issued within 28 days.
For apprentices who attend a five to eight week period of technical training, 28 days can be a significant delay. Those who receive a non-payment notification may have to wait an additional time period. Then there are those who do not receive their EI within this 28-day period.
To make matters worse, the SATCC can't process living away from home allowances for apprentices, because those are contingent upon EI approval. Special circumstances may also occur if an apprentice changes employers after the time of filing. They must then reapply for EI, leading to an additional time delay.
An improvement in service standards I think would help apprentices balance the issue of financial stability and technical training attendance. The federal apprenticeship incentive grant, AIG, and the apprenticeship completion grant, ACG, are very well received and are working quite well for apprentices. The AIG is paid at the completion of levels one and two. The ACG is paid at the completion of all training and upon acquiring certification.
The question that has come forward is why the AIG is not available for completion at the third level of apprenticeship training. The province funds and supports all levels of training, and apprentices would certainly benefit from an additional support throughout all levels of training.
It's important for the SATCC to encourage under-represented groups to partake in the apprenticeship system and to work in careers in the skilled trades. Part of our mandate is to increase the number of registered apprentices in under-represented groups and to provide more access to apprenticeship for them by removing barriers. One of the biggest barriers to apprenticeship is finding employment with an employer who will actually sponsor their apprenticeship. These groups include first nations, women in predominantly male trades, physically disabled people, and those with learning disabilities or differences.
We're also interested in providing additional supports and opportunities for those who are new to Canada and others with English as a second language.
Of particular note, it's difficult for first nations people on reserve to continue with their apprenticeship training through employment and attending technical training in another location. On-reserve training requires additional financial supports, as well as opportunities for paid work experience for employment transition.
We look forward to working with you on future apprenticeship initiatives. We're well positioned to work with the federal government to pilot any initiatives that come forward, especially those that may assist young people to engage in employment opportunities and enter and complete apprenticeship.
The principles in place at the Regina and Saskatoon trades and skills centres can in fact work for all under-represented groups. Key to that is a connection with employers, a connection with employment, offering quality training to industry standards, paid work placements, and a commitment to enter and complete apprenticeship.
I'd like to thank you for your time. I look forward to working with you and answering any questions you have.