Recommendation 1

The Committee recommends that the federal government undertake an awareness campaign to underscore the benefits of apprenticeship programs and of careers in the skilled trades, in terms of employment, wages and working conditions. This campaign should be directed toward young people and their parents. It should also pay particular attention to groups that are under-represented in the skilled  trades, such as women, immigrants and persons with disabilities.

Recommendation 2

The Committee recommends that the federal government undertake an awareness and information campaign directed at high school guidance counsellors, to ensure they have all the necessary information on projected shortages and conditions of employment in the skilled trades for which qualification is obtained through an apprenticeship program.

Recommendation 3

The Committee recommends that the federal government place more emphasis on the availability of pre-apprenticeship programs on its various education and job market information websites (e.g., CanLearn and Working in Canada), and further clarify the fact that students in these programs are eligible for student loans and grants.

Recommendation 4

The Committee recommends that the federal government consider the possibility of investigating the most efficient way of developing a Canada-wide skills and employment-based training program similar to Hammer Heads, that links youth to apprenticeship career opportunities.

Recommendation 5

The Committee recommends that the federal government continue to provide support for organizations that promote skilled trades to young people, and run international trade and technology competitions. These organizations could increase promotional activities in high schools, and further publicize international competitions of this kind.

Recommendation 6

The Committee recommends that the federal government, through Veterans Affairs or National Defence, inform personnel leaving the Canadian Forces of the opportunities that exist in the Helmets to Hardhats Program.

Recommendation 7

The Committee recommends that the federal government study the possibility of increasing its funding for Pathways to Education Canada and Human Resources and Skills Development Canada’s Adult Learning, Literacy and Essential Skills Program in order to assist young people and adults lacking basic skills so that they will be more likely to complete an apprenticeship program, taking into account that Canada is in a period of fiscal restraint.

Recommendation 8

The Committee recommends that the federal government initiate an employer awareness campaign to demonstrate the financial advantages of hiring apprentices, and familiarize them with the tax credits or grants available from the federal government, such as the Canada Job Grant proposed in Canada’s Economic Action Plan 2013.

Recommendation 9

The Committee recommends that the federal government investigate the most effective means of helping small businesses collaborate together to share the services of an apprentice, in order to increase the number of apprentice positions available.

Recommendation 10

The Committee recommends that the federal government act as a model employer through measures such as those proposed in Canada’s Economic Action Plan 2013 with respect to the hiring of apprentices, and incorporate a specific policy on hiring apprentices through its procurement process (e.g., infrastructure contracts).  For example, it could require that companies receiving infrastructure contracts take on a minimum number of apprentices, based on the contract’s value.

Recommendation 11

The Committee recommends that the federal government assess grants to apprentices, and in particular: whether they are successful in encouraging more candidates to undertake and complete apprenticeship programs; whether they should be increased; whether they should be paid out differently as the program proceeds; and whether they should be made non-taxable.

Recommendation 12

The Committee recommends that the federal government regularly review the tax credit for employers who hire apprentices to determine: its success in meeting its objectives; whether the maximum amount remains adequate; and what other methods could be explored, such as providing a grant to employers when apprentices complete their apprenticeship program.

Recommendation 13

The Committee recommends that the federal government, through the Canadian Council of Directors of Apprenticeship or by any other means, arrange for apprenticeship programs to be more readily recognized from province to province, in cases where a portion of the training was taken in another province.

Recommendation 14

The Committee recommends that the federal government explore the possibility of incorporating the Red Seal Program as part of apprenticeship programs and expand the number of trades covered under the Red Seal Program in partnership with provinces, territories and trades, to facilitate inter-provincial mobility.