Commission to Look at Apprenticeship Issues

MFL President to serve on the newly established commission.

The Manitoba Government has established a new Apprenticeship Futures Commission. The Commission will conduct public consultations on issues such as Manitoba's skilled labour shortage, competition for skilled labour as a result of economic growth and activity in Western Canada, increased apprenticeship participation rates and technical training demands as a result of increased labour market demands, and employer involvement in apprenticeship.

A series of consultations will be held to gather feedback on Manitoba's apprenticeship and related training systems. The ultimate goal is to increase recognition by Manitobans of apprenticeship as a legitimate, valuable and rewarding career choice.

The commission will identify what is required to meet the needs of apprentices, employers and the provincial economy. The commission will provide recommendations to government that will contribute to the future, strategic direction for skilled trades in Manitoba. Among the people serving on the commission is MFL President Darlene Dziewit.

"I am certainly encouraging unions, journeypersons, apprentices, those who may want to become apprentices, and other interested individuals or groups," Darlene says, "to begin preparing to submit briefs or to make presentations to the commission, which is being chaired by Leonard Harapiak. Leonard has a great deal of experience and is doing a tremendous job of pulling the commission together.

"One area of particular concern to me relates to how we can open up the process of becoming an apprentice to those who are currently underrepresented in the trades. Groups such as women, aboriginal peoples, immigrants, visible minorities, etc. need to be consulted and listened to by the commission.

"We also need to ensure that the standards for the various trades are not diluted. We need high national standards that do not level the playing field by bringing everyone to the lowest common denominator."

Further information - including meeting dates as they're scheduled - can be found on the Apprenticeship Futures Commission Web site.