For Youth - Apprenticeship

Earn While You Learn

Apprenticeship programs have long been seen as a way of gaining experience to work in a given trade. Usually a combination of formal education and on-the-job training, apprenticeships give applicants a chance to practise the skills they learn in class, while working under the guidance of an experienced employer. 

Apprenticeship is an arrangement between a person (the apprentice) who wants to learn or practise certain skills, and an employer who needs a skilled worker. With training that usually lasts anywhere from two to five years, an apprentice can expect to spend 85 percent of his or her time in the workplace, gaining valuable hands-on experience that can lead to a fulfilling and rewarding career. Apprentices are trained to standards set by the industry.

The Technician's Apprentice
A Credible Way to Make a Living
Where Do You Want to Go
The Winning Way

The Technician's Apprentice

Keith Lancastle, Executive Director of the Canadian Apprenticeship Forum, acknowledges that it's sometimes difficult to persuade young people to follow a career in the automotive repair and service industry. "Not only are you asking them to make a long-term investment, often up to five years," says Keith, "but you have to convince them they're better off earning $7 to $10 an hour as an apprentice because of the life-long benefits including earning potential."

Fortunately, says Keith, the long-term benefits of an apprenticeship program far outweigh any short-term disadvantages. "A talented young person who completes his apprenticeship and earns a certificate of qualification in the automotive service and repair industry will get a job very easily." Not only that, he says, if they're committed, and good at what they do, an auto repair technician entering the industry today can expect to be employed for life. "The opportunity to advance, to make a good career journey in automotive service and repair, has never been better."

Apprentices can enjoy a number of significant benefits while they're learning their trade, says Keith. "First of all, you earn while you learn in an apprenticeship program. As a result, when you complete your apprenticeship, you generally have the opportunity to begin your career without having incurred any major debt along the way."

back to top

A Credible Way to Make a Living

Perhaps the biggest obstacle to attracting talented people into an automotive apprenticeship program is "the stigma" attached to becoming a tradesperson. "Children are constantly exposed to an academic world," says Peter Woods of the Canadian Council of Directors of Apprenticeship. In addition, parents, who naturally want what's best for their children, often want their children to pursue academic professions. They see trades like auto repair and service as second choices.

"Yes, you're going to get your hands dirty on occasion," says Peter, "And, yes, some physical labour is required. That is, has been, and always will be a part of the trade." At the same time, he says, the auto repair and service industry-like many trades-requires education and an understanding of technology. "It is a good, gratifying and credible way to make a living," he says.

back to top

Where Do You Want to Go

Apprentices who successfully finish their training-new journeypersons-can work anywhere in Canada, says Craig Norton, Manager, Apprenticeship and Training for the Prince Edward Island Department of Education. "Apprenticeship programs fall under the jurisdiction of individual provinces and territories," he explains, "however, apprentices who complete their training and receive their Certificate of Qualification with a Red Seal affixed can make their living anywhere in Canada." The Red Seal provides mobility because all provinces and territories recognize the standard that the Red Seal holder has met.

Graduates from the automotive repair and service Red Seal trades can go directly to the work site in their new province. "There's no holdup, no red tape when they have a Red Seal on their certificate," says Craig.

The Red Seals were first given out in 1958, says Craig. "Today, the Red Seal Program covers 45 occupations and more than 85 percent of trades workers in Canada."

While Keith, Craig and others are happy to point out the many advantages of an apprenticeship program, they're careful to make it clear that it still requires hard work and commitment. "For example, to become an auto service technician requires up to 9,000 hours as an apprentice," says Keith. "Even at 40 hours a week, it still takes between four and five years to complete the apprenticeship. On top of that, an apprentice is required to spend five to eight weeks a year in the classroom."

Still, Keith insists that the reward is worth the effort. "As an apprentice, you're constantly working under the supervision of a journeyperson. You're being coached, mentored and instructed by an expert. And you're being paid while you're doing it."

back to top

The Winning Way

According to Craig, apprenticeship can be thought of as a three-way contract among the apprentice, the employer and the provincial/territorial governments. "It's in the long-term interest of the employer, be it a small garage owner or a major repair outlet, to provide adequate training opportunities for the employees of the future. It's certainly in the best interest of an apprentice to be trained to industry standards. And it's always in the best interest of all partners to support initiatives-like apprenticeship-that produce highly skilled workers."

back to top