“We want people to look at (getting a trade) as a legitimate post-secondary choice, and a good post-secondary choice,” said Brian Bickley, chair of the Alberta Apprenticeship and Industry Training Board.
“It’s never been hotter than it is now and the demand for trades people has never been greater. Right now I think there is $110 billion worth of projects either in progress right now or coming in the next five or 10 years.”
That’s what Mr. Bickley had to say when the Alberta Apprenticeship and Training Board held an information session at the Northwest Inn last Tuesday.
It’s all part of a province wide campaign to change the way people look at the trades. Once upon a time, not so long ago, a young person entering the trades was perceived as an admission that they didn’t have the smarts to pull off a university degree.
At least Bob Dylan had it right when he said, “The times, they are a-changin’.”
“We’re receiving about 40 applications a month here in Slave Lake,” said Tony Lovell, representing Alberta Apprenticeship and Training Advanced Education.
“In Edmonton, it’s 50 a day. People are beginning to realize that working in the trades provides a rewarding, highly technical career. Not everybody understands that achieving journeyperson status affords you a lot of diversity in the working world. You can work as a consultant, manager, or teacher. You can even be self-employed.”
A few dozen guests listened as different ways to encourage today’s youth were explained and what is required of apprentices and their employers.
“By taking advantage of the RAP (registered apprenticeship program), 5,500 students have started their apprenticeship before they even finished high school,” said Lovell.
“In 2005, there were 500 RAP scholarships awarded. Basically, everyone that applied for a scholarship received it. And with the YAP (youth apprenticeship program), gives Grade 7 students a chance to explore the trades and the apprenticeship program so they can choose a field in Grade 9.”
“We target them young because if we wait until they’re in Grade 10 or 11, they’re gone already,” said Bickley. “Getting them interested before high school helps make sure that they stay in school.”
Everyone that spoke before the group emphasized that becoming a tradesperson is not only for the academically challenged. A recent Slave Lake high school valedictorian graduate recently entered the apprenticeship program to earn a double ticket in electrician/instrumentation.
The potential for him to earn piles of money was not lost on the audience.
“We need 3,000 trade workers and can’t get them,” said Bickley, a 29-year veteran of oil sands giant Syncrude. “We have looked everywhere and they cannot be found. It’s at the point where we have to reduce scope. We can’t extend the project because it would cost us a million dollars a day.”
Students that enroll in the RAP program in high school are not just beginning their apprenticeship, but also earning credits toward graduation. It’s a partnership designed to increase the profile of the trades for young people. It doesn’t hurt that they will be all but guaranteed a job when the dust settles.
If you or someone you know is interested in learning more about becoming a tradesperson, there are several websites that may accommodate you. alis.gov.ab.ca and tradesecrets.gov.ab.ca are just two of many. To get in touch with Alberta Apprenticeship and Industry Training’s Slave Lake office, call Terry at 849-7228.

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