`Hands-on' training grads in demand
October 9, 2008
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Apprenticeships are once again being hailed as the answer to a skills shortage in Canada.
"Apprenticeships have certainly been around a long, long time, but now the skilled trades shortage is again putting a big focus on the need for more apprentices," says Marj Rempel, of Durham College.
The executive dean of Durham's school of applied sciences says apprenticeship programs have lately earned a different kind of respect – call it "paycheque prestige."
"The glamour of skilled trades has been underplayed over the years because it's always thought of as a blue-collar skill," she says. "I think people forget how critical it is that these tradespeople are as skilled as they are."
With that skill – and the huge demand for their services – comes hourly pay rates that can top $40, and annual salaries well over six figures.
Durham's nationally acclaimed School of Applied Sciences, Apprenticeship, Skilled Trades & Technology offers 17 apprenticeship programs – 11 of which are recognized as "Red Seal", which qualifies graduates to work in any province in Canada.
"In the past seven years, 12,000 students have come through our apprenticeship programs and are now working in their chosen field," Rempel says.
She is excited about the online training that Durham has been using on a trial basis in a joint program with students in Sault Ste. Marie and at Algoma Steel.
"This to my mind is the future of our training," she says.
– Paul Dalby
Toronto Star