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RTO Program Standards Activity Update: May 14, 2010
Trade Reviews:
Trades completed in earlier years:
Machinist - awaiting OPSN (Official Program Standards Notification) from ITA on increased time period for technical training (26 weeks from 20 weeks).
Millwright- awaiting OPSN from ITA on new Program. Accepted by the Millwright articulation committee.
Rig Technician- as per industry’s request progressive credentialing has been removed within this trade.
Metal Fabricator, Steamfitter/Pipefitter-“implementation pilot strategy” is being piloted at three training providers for the Steamfitter/Pipefitter program and will be done at other training providers for Metal Fabricator. The goal of this project is to reduce the timeline necessary within the system from changes being implemented. New programs have had an OPSN circulated.
Tool and Die Maker - held at SRC (Standards Review Committee). Being resubmitted to the ITA-SRC group with responses to suggestions made by SRC.
Shipbuilding Industry - 2 new trades proposed to be developed. Development will probably go ahead this fiscal without ITA funding.
Planermill Tech and Saw Trades - review proposed for the fall of this year. We will be putting out a request for PRC (Program Review Committee) and SME (Subject Matter Expert) representation for these trades from industry and the training providers. The RFP has been posted and submissions have been reviewed. Proposed to start with SME’s in September.
Power Line Technician - review completed, funded by LMP (Labour Market Partnership). First public sector PLT apprenticeship class is being offered by TRU and supported by industry. Documents went to ITA in June.
Mining Industry- this National Sector Council project on the development of 3 trades - underground miner, surface miner and mineral process operations technician-is being piloted at 7 mines across Canada. These new competency based “occupation” credentials were discussed at the first Mining Industry and Educators Forum in Kamloops in March. The 7 pilots will complete in the spring of 2011 and we will be asked to go forward with work on the development of “occupational” training.
Welder - six stakeholder meetings have been held around the province (Victoria, Vancouver, Abbotsford, Kelowna, Fort St. John and Prince George). Each meeting had representatives from various types of industry, training providers, labour organizations, safety councils and national organizations. Although the findings were not unanimous, there were common themes:
· Removal of the C of Q designation at the end of “C” - no journeyperson recognition deserved.
· Mandatory Red Seal attainment at the end of “B” as a completion requirement.
· “A” level skills must be retained within the BC system-as a recognition above Red Seal (possible endorsement).
· “C” level must maintain an option for the “institutional” or “foundation” delivery model-majority of small employers do not and will not indenture apprentices, but require these skills within an employee.
· To enter “B” level a majority supported that one must have an employer to enter, but may be laid off. At this level of training and skill requirement there should be commitment by the employer.
· “C” level must have an apprenticeship path that has a shorter duration for those apprentices who have an employer capable of offering a place to improve their skills.
· The welding competencies have to be aligned with the Red Seal as their goal.
The PRC for Welder will meet on June 6th. A suggested direction from them will be included in a later revision of this report.
Industrial Electrician
PRC group met in Vancouver on May 20th. Direction from this group supported a much longer and deeper study of the program. This working group has been tasked with, among other issues, addressing the low number of IE apprentices and the challenges of the completion of the Log Book. | 
