BCFED seeks guarantees from Clark government for use of apprentices on public infrastructure projects
**For Immediate Release**
January 25, 2017
BCFED seeks guarantees from Clark government for use of apprentices on public infrastructure projects
Yesterday, Premier Clark announced more than $13 million in funding to expand and renovate trades apprenticeship training facilities at North Island College in Campbell River. But ironically, Victoria has no tangible guarantees in place that apprentices will even be used in the construction of the new facilities, says the BC Federation of Labour.
And in a letter sent today to Clark, the Federation is calling on Victoria to set a basic standard that apprentices make up 25% of the construction labour force on all provincial government infrastructure projects, to ensure that apprentices receive the practical on-the-job experience required to complete their training. 
“Technical training with modern equipment in new facilities like those being constructed at North Island College is a key part of the training process,” says BCFED president Irene Lanzinger. “But we also know that employer sponsorship of apprentices to provide practical work opportunities is equally important, because at least 80% of apprenticeship training occurs on the job.”
Lanzinger says that here in BC, the lack of employer placements is the biggest obstacle for
apprentices trying to complete their training.
“The lack of apprenticeship work opportunities also creates challenges for governments that seek to expand the supply of skilled trades positions,” she says.
“As the largest employer and biggest infrastructure builder in BC, the provincial government has a responsibility to adopt and follow a proactive model for apprenticeship placement practices.”
‘That’s why we’re urging the Clark government to publicly commit to a minimum of 25%
apprentices on the North Island College project, as well as on all public infrastructure projects funded by the provincial government.
“If we are going to build a skilled workforce for BC, we need to do all we can to make that
happen,” says Lanzinger, “and setting a 25% standard is a simple, practical step we can take.”
January 25, 2017 Sent via email: premier@gov.bc.ca
Hard copy to follow
The Honourable Christy Clark
Premier of British Columbia
PO Box 9041 Stn Prov Govt
Victoria, BC V8W 9E1
Dear Premier Clark,
Re: Apprentices on Public Infrastructure Projects
I write on behalf of more than 500,000 members of the BC Federation of Labour. We are
the voice for working people in British Columbia, representing workers in every
community in the province and every sector of the economy.
We noted with interest your announcement yesterday about a plan to build new and
renovated trades training facilities at North Island College.
We know that technical training, with modern equipment, is important. However, we
also know that employer sponsorship of apprentices plays a critical role, because at
least 80% of apprenticeship training occurs on the job. But in BC and across Canada,
employer participation in apprenticeship programs remains at 19%, making it difficult
for eager apprentices to complete their training. The absence of employer placements
also creates challenges for governments that seek to expand the supply of skilled trades
positions.
As the largest employer and biggest infrastructure builder in BC, the provincial
government has a responsibility to adopt and follow a proactive model for
apprenticeship placement practices. I urge the Province to ensure that British
Columbians are getting the most out of our investment by capitalizing on these
opportunities to provide apprenticeship and training opportunities.
The irony of your announcement yesterday is that there are no tangible guarantees that
apprentices will be used in the construction and renovation of facilities at North Island
College.
If we are going to build a skilled workforce for BC, we need to do all we can to make that
happen. That’s why I’m asking that your government publicly commit to set a minimum
of 25% apprentices on the North Island College project, as well as on all public infrastructure projects funded by the provincial government.
Sincerely,
IRENE LANZINGER President