CCDA holds annual national stakeholder meeting

Participants discussed the following items:

National Apprenticeship Survey update
The survey demonstrated a number of positive findings. Overall, apprentices held positive attitudes towards the trades.

• 90% agreed that "Canadians increasingly see trades as a good career option”
• 90% said apprenticeship "is the best way to learn a trade”
• 80% agreed that trade occupations pay better than other jobs

Harmonization update
The goal of harmonization is to substantively align apprenticeship systems across Canada by making apprenticeship training requirements more consistent in Red Seal trades. Harmonization will facilitate the mobility of apprentices across Canada and support an increase in completion rates.

Proposed CCDA strategic priorities
The council proposed the following priorities for the next three to five years:

• harmonizing the Red Seal trades
• implement enhanced standards and introduce efficiencies in product development
• improve the knowledge base on apprenticeship
• strengthen the CCDA’s leadership role

Union Training and Innovation Program
Announced in Budget 2016, the program will launch in 2017–2018 with approximately $10 million in funding in the first year and $25 million annually. It offers support to buy training equipment and materials and support for programs that can help address complex apprenticeship challenges.