Apprenticeship Training in Ontario: A Guide for Employers and Sponsors | i

APPRENTICESHIP TRAINING IN ONTARIOA Guide for Employers and SponsorsJUNE 2010

CONTENTSApprenticeship Training: The Process ...............................................................................iv

1. Overview........................................................................................................................................................................1

2. AssessingYourTrainingCapacity............................................................................................................................2a.ExaminetheApprenticeshipTrainingStandard................................................................................................2b.IdentifythePersonWhoWillTrainYourApprentice.........................................................................................2

3. RecruitingYourApprentice........................................................................................................................................3a.ReviewtheEntranceRequirementsforApprentices.......................................................................................3b.FindYourApprentice..............................................................................................................................................3

4. RegisteringYourApprentice......................................................................................................................................4a.ArrangetoMeetWithMinistryStaffandPreparefortheMeeting..............................................................4b.MeetWithMinistryStaff.......................................................................................................................................4c.DetermineattheMeetingWhenYourApprenticeWillAttendClassroomTraining...................................5d.AftertheMeeting....................................................................................................................................................5

5. MonitoringYourApprentice’sTraining.....................................................................................................................6a.OverseeYourTrainer..............................................................................................................................................6b.RemindYourApprenticeofHisorHerResponsibilities.................................................................................6c.KeepinTouchWithMinistryStaff.......................................................................................................................7

6. OnCompletionoftheTraining..................................................................................................................................8

7. FinancialIncentivesforEmployers/Sponsors.......................................................................................................9

8. FinancialHelpforApprentices................................................................................................................................10

9. TheLegislation...........................................................................................................................................................11

10.It’sYourChoice..........................................................................................................................................................12

Unepublicationéquivalenteestdisponibleenfrançaissousletitresuivant:Formation en Apprentissage en Ontario : Guide pour les employeurs et les parrains.

iv | Apprenticeship Training in Ontario: A Guide for Employers and Sponsors

APPRENTICESHIP TRAINING: THE PROCESS

Before Registering Your Apprentice■ Confirmthatthereisapprenticeshiptrainingforyourtradeoroccupation.

■ Confirmyourbusiness’scapacitytotrainanapprentice.

■ Identifyyourapprenticeandwhoinyourbusinesswilldothetraining.

Registering Your Apprentice■ ScheduleameetingwithanemploymentandtrainingconsultantfromtheMinistryofTraining,CollegesandUniversities,whowill:

■ confirmtheeligibilityofyourapprentice,trainer,andbusiness;

■ preparethetrainingagreement;

■ collectthe$40apprenticeshipregistrationfeefromyourapprentice;

■ outlinethefinancialincentivesyourbusinessmaybeeligiblefor.

Training Your Apprentice■ Ensureyourtrainerandapprenticeregularlyreviewthetrainingstandardascompetenciesareacquired.

■ Keepanaccuraterecordofthehoursyourapprenticeworks.

■ Ensurethatyourapprenticeisabletoattendhisorherscheduledclassroomtraining.

■ Notifyministrystaffofanychangestoyourbusinessinformationortothetrainingagreement.

■ Ifeligible,applyfortheApprenticeshipTrainingTaxCreditandotheravailablefinancialincentives.

On Completion of the Training■ Confirmthatyourtrainerandapprenticehavesignedoffontheskillsinthetrainingstandard.

■ Notifyministrystaffonceyourapprenticehascompletedtheworkplacetraining.

■ Ministrystaffwillverifythatyourapprenticehascompletedtheclassroomtraining.

■ Ministrystaffwillscheduleyourapprenticeforthecertificationexam,ifapplicable.

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Apprenticeshiptrainingisahands-ontrainingprograminwhichtheskillsofatradeoroccupationarelearnedintheworkplace.Thistrainingissupple-mentedbytheoreticalinstructiondeliveredinacollegeofappliedartsandtechnologyorotherapprovedtrainingdeliveryagency.Dependingonthetradeoroccupation,apprenticeshiptrainingprogramstakefromtwotofiveyearstocomplete.

Apprenticeshiptrainingproducesskilledemployeeswhowillhelpkeepyourbusinesscompetitiveandprofitable.AccordingtotheCanadianApprenticeshipForum(CAF),whosemembershipincludesemployers,unions,andeducators,employersreceiveanaveragebenefitof$1.47forevery$1investedinapprentice-shiptraining.Tolearnmoreaboutthereturn-on-investmentaspectoftrainingapprentices,seethe

CAF’sreport,It Pays to Hire an Apprentice: Calculating the Return on Training Investment for Skilled Trades Employers in Canadaatwww.caf-fca.org.

Ontariohasapprenticeshipprogramsformorethan150tradesandoccupationsinfoursectors:

■ construction

■ industrial/manufacturing

■ motivepower

■ service

TheMinistryofTraining,CollegesandUniversitieshasproducedfactsheetsonthe58tradesthathavethemostapprenticeshipregistrations.Tofindoutmoreaboutthesetrades,gotowww.edu.gov.on.ca/eng/tcu/employmentontario/training/certification.html.

Thestepsyou’llneedtotaketoregisteranappren-ticeinaprogramareoutlinedinSections2to4ofthisguide.

InformationaboutfinancialincentivesforemployersandsponsorsofapprenticesandfinancialassistanceforapprenticesprovidedbytheOntarioandfederalgovernmentsisgiveninSections7and8ofthisguide.

1. OVERVIEW Apprenticeship is the training program of choice for more than 35,000 employers, 120,000 apprentices, and 300,000 active journeypersons in Ontario.

2 | Apprenticeship Training in Ontario: A Guide for Employers and Sponsors

a. Examine the Apprenticeship Training Standard

Thetrainingstandardforthetradeoroccupationyourprospectiveapprenticewouldberegisteredinwillguideyouinassessingwhetheryouhavetheequipment,facilities,andmaterialsnecessaryfortheapprenticetolearntheskillsofthetradeonthejob.Atyourrequest,anemploymentandtrainingconsultant(ETC)willvisityourworksitetohelpyouassessyourtrainingcapacity(seeSection4forinformationonhowtocontactanETC).

b. Identify the Person Who Will Train Your Apprentice

Forsometrades,trainersandjourneypersonsarelegallyrequiredtohaveaCertificateofQualificationtotrainapprentices.Fortradesthatdonotrequirecertifiedtrainers,thetrainerorjourneypersonmustholdeitheraCertificateofApprenticeshiporaCertificateofQualification,orbeassessedasfunctioningatthejourneypersonlevel.Thisassess-mentisbasedonhisorherpasttrainingandworkexperience.AnETCfromtheministrycancometoyourworksitetoassessyourtrainer’seligibilitytotrain.

Ministrystaffwillalsoassessyourcapacitytotrainanapprenticebylookingattheratioofapprenticestojourneypersonsinyourworkplace.Forsometrades,ratiosareregulated.Forthosetradesthatarenotregulated,ETCshaveguidelinestohelpthemdecidewhethertheratioinaworkplaceisadequate.

2. ASSESSING YOUR TRAINING CAPACITY

Your government is here to help. Employment and training consultants with extensive knowledge of apprenticeship are available to assist you as you make your way through the apprenticeship training process.

Apprenticeship Training in Ontario: A Guide for Employers and Sponsors | 3

a. Review the Entrance Requirements for Apprentices

Yourapprenticemustbe16yearsofageandmeettheminimumeducationrequirementsstipulatedforthetradeoroccupationinwhichheorsheisinterested(e.g.,mostconstructiontradesrequireGrade10;mostothertradesandoccupationsrequireGrade12).

b. Find Your Apprentice

■ Talktoyouremployeesandfindoutifoneofthemisinterestedinbecominganapprentice.

■ Checkforleadswithorganizationssuchastrade/industryassociations,unionsandjointtrainingcommittees,localsecondaryschools,andcolleges.

■ ConsiderhiringahighschoolstudentthroughtheOntarioYouthApprenticeshipProgram(www.edu.gov.on.ca/eng/tcu/apprentices/oyap.html).

■ Advertiseinnewspapers,oronjobboardsortheInternet.

■ UsetheOntarioJobBank(www.jobbank.gc.ca)toadvertiseyourneedforanapprenticefreeofcharge.

■ Usethematchingdatabaseatwww.apprenticesearch.comtofindanapprentice,orbrowsethewebsitetofindadditionalinformationandresourcesonapprenticeships.

3. RECRUITING YOUR APPRENTICE

4 | Apprenticeship Training in Ontario: A Guide for Employers and Sponsors

a. Arrange to Meet With Ministry Staff and Prepare for the Meeting

■ CalltheapprenticeshipofficenearestyoutoarrangeforameetingwithanETCthatyouandyourapprenticewillattend.Tofindthenearestoffice,calltheEmploymentOntarioHotline(toll-free:1-800-387-5656;Toronto:416-326-5656;TTY:1-866-533-6339or416-325-4084)orgotowww.edu.gov.on.ca/eng/tcu/search.asp?chosen=4.

■ Haveyourapprenticecollectthefollowingforthemeeting:

■ proofofacademicstanding(e.g.,schooltranscriptsorcopyofdiploma)

■ socialinsurancenumber(SIN)card

■ proofofidentityanddateofbirth(e.g.,driver’slicence,birthcertificate)

■ documentsconfirmingprevioustrade-relatededucationandworkexperienceforpossiblecredits

■ $40registrationfee

■ Gatherthefollowingyourselfforthemeeting:

■ alistoftheapprenticesandjourneypersonscurrentlyemployedbyyourcompany(unlessthisinformationisalreadyonfilewiththeministryandhasnotchangedsinceitwaslastprovided)

■ ifapplicable,thenumberofhoursyourprospectiveapprenticehasworkedforyoutodateandthedateonwhichheorshestartedworkingforyou

Note:Beforethemeeting,ministrystaffwillcontactyoutoconfirmthatyouandyourapprenticehaveobtainedthenecessarydocumentationforthemeeting.

b. Meet With Ministry Staff

Atthemeeting,thefollowingwilltakeplace:

■ TheETCreviewsthepertinenttrainingstandardwithyouandyourapprentice.

■ YouandyourapprenticesupplytheETCwiththeinformationgatheredinpreparationforthemeeting(seeSection4.a).

4. REGISTERING YOUR APPRENTICE

Once you’ve determined that you have the capacity to train an apprentice and have found someone to train who meets the entrance requirements for the apprenticeship program, you are ready to register him or her. The steps in the registration process are outlined in this section.

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■ Yourapprentice’seducationandpriorworkexperience,ifany,areassessedtodeterminehowmuchofthelearningthathasalreadytakenplacecanberecognized/creditedonregistration.

■ Yourapprenticereceivesinstructionsabouthisorherrecordkeepingresponsibilities.

■ Yourapprenticepaystheregistrationfeeof$40andisgivenareceipt.

■ You,yourapprentice,andtheETCsignthetrainingagreement.Youandyourapprenticeeachreceiveacopy.

■ TheETCarrangesfortheagreementtoberegistered.

c. Determine at the Meeting When Your Apprentice Will Attend Classroom Training

■ TheETCoutlinestheavailableoptionsfortheclassroomtrainingatapprovedtrainingdeliveryagencies,suchascollegesofappliedartsandtechnology,union/employertrainingcentres,andotherprivateinstitutions.Thetraining,

whichisbasedonindustry-approvedcurriculumstandards,consistsoftwotofourlevels,dependingonwhatisrequiredforthetradeoroccupation.Ingeneral,eachlevelofthetrainingmaybecompletedinoneofthefollowingways,dependingonavailabilityatthechosendeliveryagency:

■ full-time,usuallysixtotwelveweeks

■ part-time,generallyonedayortwoeve-ningsperweek(SeptembertoJune)

■ online

■ Yourapprenticestateswhichoftheavailableoptionsheorsheprefers.Thispreferenceistakenintoaccountinadiscussionaboutwhichoftheoptionsbestsuitsallparties.Oncethisoptionisdetermined,itisrecordedbytheETC.

d. After the Meeting

■ Theoptionforclassroomtrainingrecordedatthemeetingisenteredintheministry’sdata-base,andanOfferofClassroomTrainingisgeneratedandsenttoyourapprenticeandtoyou.

■ YourapprenticeconfirmsattendancedirectlywiththetrainingdeliveryagencyafterreceivingtheOfferofClassroomTraining.Instructionsforconfirmingattendanceareprovidedintheoffer.

6 | Apprenticeship Training in Ontario: A Guide for Employers and Sponsors

a. Oversee Your Trainer

Ensurethatyourtraineris:

■ teachingtheapprenticetheskillssetoutinthetrainingstandard;

■ signingoffontheskillsacquiredbyyourapprenticeastheyarelearned.

b. Remind Your Apprentice of His or Her Responsibilities

■ Regardingtrainingintheworkplace,theapprenticeshould:

■ reviewthetrainingstandardwiththetraineronaregularbasisandensurethattheskillsaresignedoffonbyhimorherandthetrainerastheyareacquired;

■ keepanaccuraterecordofthehoursworked,asheorshewillneedtoreportthisinformationtotheministrywhenthetrainingiscompletedorwhenheorsheleavesyouremployment;

■ notifytheministryifheorsheleavestheemployerorsponsororfinishestheappren-ticeshiptrainingprogram.

■ Regardingclassroomtraining,theapprenticemust:

■ confirmwiththetrainingdeliveryagencythatheorshewillattendthetrainingassetoutintheOfferofClassroomTrainingonreceiptoftheofferand,atthesametime,paytheclassroomfee.Notethatifconfirmationandpaymentarenotmadeinatimelymanner,theapprenticeriskslosingthechancetoattendthatparticularclass;

■ contactministrystafftoreschedulethetrainingifheorsheisunabletoattendattheallottedtime;

■ notifytheministryifheorshehasconcernsregardingreadinessfortheclassroomtrainingorishavingdifficultywiththetraining.

■ Regardingtheapprenticeshipprogramingeneral,theapprenticemustnotifytheministryifheorshe:

■ changeshisorhermailingaddress;

■ isunabletocompletehisorhertraininginalloftherequiredskillsinthetrainingstandardwithanemployerorsponsor;

■ beginsworkingforadifferentemployerorsponsor.

5. MONITORING YOUR APPRENTICE’S TRAINING

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c. Keep in Touch With Ministry Staff

■ Notifytheministryiftherearechangesinyourbusiness’s:

■ facilities,equipment,orstaffingthatcouldaffectyourabilitytotrainorsuperviseyourapprentice;

■ location,mailingaddress,orlegalname.

■ Contactministrystaffif:

■ youhavequestionsorconcerns;

■ yourapprenticeleavesyouremployment.

Tofindthenearestapprenticeshipoffice,calltheEmploymentOntarioHotline(toll-free:1-800-387-5656;Toronto:416-326-5656;TTY:1-866-533-6339or416-325-4084)orgotowww.edu.gov.on.ca/eng/tcu/search.asp?chosen=4.

8 | Apprenticeship Training in Ontario: A Guide for Employers and Sponsors

Whenyourapprenticehascompletedtheprogramrequirementsforatradeoroccupation,heorshewill,dependingonthetradeoroccupation,receiveoneorbothofthefollowingcertificatesfromtheministry:

■ theCertificateofApprenticeship,whichrecognizesthatanapprenticehassuccessfullycompletedtheformaltrainingprograminatrade,arequirementofwhichmaybepassingacertificationexam;

■ theCertificateofQualification,whichisissuedtoanapprenticewhohaspassedatradeexamination.Topasstheexam,candidatesmustachieveaminimumscoreof70percent.

ALetterofPermissionallowsanapprenticewhoworksinarestrictedtrade(alistofthe21restrictedtradesisavailableatwww.edu.gov.on.ca/eng/tcu/employmentontario/training/certification.html)andwhohasreceivedhisorherCertificateofApprenticeshiptoworkasajourneypersoninhisorhertradeoroccupationforthreemonthswhileheorshepreparestowritethecertificationexam.

AnapprenticereceivesboththeCertificateofApprenticeshipandtheCertificateofQualificationoncethefollowingtakesplace:

■ heorshereportstotheministrythatheorshehascompletedtheworkplacetrainingandmettherequirementsofthetrainingagreement,andsubmitsasigned-offapprenticeshiptrainingstandard.Thesigned-offtrainingstandarddemonstratesthatanapprenticehaslearnedtheskillsestablishedbyindustrythatareessentialforbeingaskilledworker;

■ ministrystaffverifiesthathisorherclassroomtraininghasbeencompleted;

■ ifthetradeoroccupationrequiresit,heorshewritesacer tificationexam(66ofthe150tradesrequireit)andpaysa$100examfee.

TheInterprovincialStandardsRedSeal(or“RedSeal”)Program(www.red-seal.ca)providesaninterprovincialstandardofexcellencefortheskilledtradesthatisrecognizedbyindustry.ManyOntariotradesarepartoftheRedSealProgram.Inthesetrades,workerswhosuccessfullychal-lengeaRedSealtradeexaminationreceiveaCertificateofQualificationwithadistinctiveredsealthatisrecognizedacrossCanada.

6. ON COMPLETION OF THE TRAINING

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Ontarioassistsemployersbypayingaportionofthecostofanapprentice’sclassroomtraining.Theapprenticepaysaclassroomfeetocovertheremainingcost.

The$2000Employer Signing Bonus (www.edu.gov.on.ca/eng/tcu/employers/emp_bonus.html)encouragesemployersorsponsorsinthetradestoregisternewapprenticesinsectorswherethereisahighdemandforskilledworkers.

TheApprenticeship Training Tax Credit (www.rev.gov.on.ca/en/credit/attc/index.html)isarefundabletaxcreditavailabletoemployersorsponsorswhohireandtrainapprenticesincertainskilledtrades.Themaximumcreditavailabletoemployersorsponsorsis$10,000perqualifyingapprenticepertaxationyear.Employersandspon-sorsareeligibletoreceivethecreditforfouryears.Todownloadanapplicationformforthisprogram,gotowww.rev.gov.on.ca/en/credit/attc/formpub.html.

TheApprenticeship Job Creation Tax Credit (www.cra-arc.gc.ca/whtsnw/pprntcshp-eng.html)isanon-refundabletaxcreditequalto10percentoftheeligiblesalariesandwagespaidtoeligibleapprenticeswithrespecttoemploymentafterMay1,2006.Themaximumcreditis$2000peryearforeacheligibleapprentice.

TheEmployer Bonusprovides$1000toemployersorsponsorswhoseapprenticescompleteanappren-ticeshipprograminanytradeoroccupation.

7. FINANCIAL INCENTIVES FOR EMPLOYERS/SPONSORS

A number of financial incentives are offered by the Ontario and federal governments to help you train apprentices.

10 | Apprenticeship Training in Ontario: A Guide for Employers and Sponsors

TheApprenticeship Scholarship(www.edu.gov.on.ca/eng/tcu/apprentices/app_schol.html)providesa$1000scholarshiptoyoungpeoplewhopartici-pateinapprenticeshipprogramsifthey:

■ havecompletedacademicupgrading;

■ areemployed;

■ areregisteredasapprentices.

TheSupport to Non-EI-Eligible Apprenticesprovidesgrantsofupto$1500pertermtoapprenticeswhoarenoteligibleforemploymentinsurancetohelpcovertheircostswhiletheygotoschool.

TheLoans for Tools Program(www.edu.gov.on.ca/eng/tcu/apprentices/tools.html)offersapprenticesaninterest-freeloantohelpthembuythetoolsandequipmenttheyneedtoperformthetasksofthetradeinwhichtheyareregistered.

TheTradesperson’s Tools Deduction(www.cra-arc.gc.ca/whtsnw/tls-eng.html)providesemployedapprenticeswithataxdeductionofupto$500tohelpcoverthecostofnewtoolsnecessaryfortheirtrade.

TheApprenticeship Incentive Grant (www.rhdcc-hrsdc.gc.ca/eng/workplaceskills/trades_apprenticeship/AIG/index.shtml)isataxablecashgrantof$1000peryearthatisavailabletoregisteredapprenticesoncetheyhavesuccessfullycompletedthefirstorsecondyearorlevel(orequivalent)ofanapprenticeshipprograminoneoftheRedSealtrades(seeSection6).TheAIGhelpsapprenticescoversomeoftheexpensesrelatedtotuition,travel,andtools.

TheApprenticeship Completion Grant (www.rhdcc-hrsdc.gc.ca/eng/workplaceskills/trades_apprenticeship/acg/index.shtml)isa$2000taxablecashgrantavailabletoregisteredappren-ticeswhosuccessfullycompleteanapprenticeshiptrainingprogramandobtaincertificationinaRedSealtrade(seeSection6).

TheApprenticeship Completion Bonus in Non-Red Seal Trades(www.edu.gov.on.ca/eng/tcu/apprentices/bonus.html)isaone-time$2000taxablebenefitgiventoapprenticeswhocompleteapprenticeshiptrainingandreceivecertificationinanon-RedSealtrade.

8. FINANCIAL HELP FOR APPRENTICES

A number of grants and loans are available to help apprentices begin and complete their training. Since these grants and loans are incentives for apprentices, they also aid you in the recruiting process.

Apprenticeship Training in Ontario: A Guide for Employers and Sponsors | 11

Apprenticeshiptrainingandcertificationarecurrentlygovernedby:

■ theTradesQualificationandApprenticeshipAct,R.S.O.1990(TQAA)formostconstructionsectortrades;

■ theApprenticeshipandCertificationAct,1998(ACA)forservice,industrial,andmotivepowertrades,andsomeconstructiontrades.

InOctober2009,theOntariogovernmentpassedtheOntarioCollegeofTradesandApprenticeshipAct,2009.Thisact,whichestablishestheOntarioCollegeofTrades(www.edu.gov.on.ca/eng/tcu/collegeoftrades/),willreplacetheTQAAandtheACAby2012.TheCollegeofTradeswillencouragemorepeopletoworkinthetradesandgiveindustryagreaterroleingovernance,certification,andtraining.

9. THE LEGISLATION

12 | Apprenticeship Training in Ontario: A Guide for Employers and Sponsors

Employersofworkersinalltradesandoccupationsforwhichapprenticeshiptrainingisavailablebenefitfromthetrainingformanyreasons,includingthefollowing:

■ Apprenticesacquireskillsandknowledgethatadheretointernationallyrecognizedstandards,makingyourworkplacemoreproductiveandcompetitive.

■ Apprenticesapplythetheorytheyarelearningintheclassroominarealsetting,whilealsolearningtoworkcohesivelyaspartofateam.

■ Thequalityofthetrainingresultsinfewermistakesandlessdowntime.

■ Trainingincludesinstructioninsafeworkplacepractices,andasaferworkplaceisbeneficialtoemployeemoraleandenhancesproductivity.

10. IT’S YOUR CHOICE In Ontario, there are registered apprenticeships in more than 150 trades and occupations. In only 21 of these trades and occupations are workers required by law to be registered apprentices or have a Certificate of Qualification.* This means apprenticeship training remains largely a matter of choice for you and your employees.

Formoreinformationaboutapprenticeshiptrainingortofindthenearestapprenticeshipoffice,calltheEmploymentOntarioHotline(toll-free:1-800-387-5656;Toronto:416-326-5656;TTY:1-866-533-6339or416-325-4084)orgotowww.edu.gov.on.ca/eng/tcu/search.asp?chosen=4.

*Foralistofthese21tradesandoccupations,gotowww.edu.gov.on.ca/eng/tcu/employmentontario/training/certification.html.

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