The recent Conservative budget announced an expansion of the Canada Student Loan program, the Canadian Apprenticeship loan. The fund will provide apprentices in Red Seal trades with access to more than $100 million in interest-free loans every year to help them pay for their training. This is a good start but certainly doesn't go far enough.
Employers are also in need of financial help to move forward with meeting the expected shortfalls in ticketed trades. Small- and medium-sized businesses are left holding the financial bag for training apprentices. Its a cost that many are unable to take on. Our governments talk of expansion of our resource development but have given no real thought on making sure the citizens of Canada are prepared to meet this need. The federal and provincial governments must help businesses take on new apprentices to meet the current and future needs of BC and Canada.
Another step that needs to be taken is strengthening the trades programs throughout the province. More seats, resources and instructors are needed to keep the apprenticeship program moving. We are past the stage of talking. We need to be in the stages of implementing and doing. We see and hear the need for more trades in B.C. so lets get going on making that happen.
Chuck LeBlanc
President PPWC Local 9
