2005 News Releases
December 14, 20055,500 more apprentices working in Alberta in 2005
Edmonton... The number of apprentices in Alberta has increased by 5,500 in 2005. There are now more than 45,500 apprentices in the province, an increase of nearly 95 per cent since 1995.
The Alberta government is spending $22 million, a $5.7 million increase over 2004-05, for all apprentices to take their technical training. This money is already flowing to technical institutes and colleges around the province that deliver apprenticeship training programs, as well as programs that promote apprenticeship.
"It's great to see more and more employers stepping up to the plate and signing on more apprentices. In the long-run, this is the best way to address the demand for skilled labour in Alberta," said Advanced Education and Technology Minister Dave Hancock. "Our government is doing its part by putting the dollars in place to ensure that all apprentices - new and existing - get their training, when and where they need it."
Apprenticeships are work-based training, with a combination of 80 per cent on-the-job training and 20 per cent in-class instruction at a post-secondary college or technical institute. The Alberta government works with employers, industry and the Alberta Apprenticeship and Industry Training Board to create flexible technical training options that work for both the employer and the apprentice.
"An apprenticeship starts by an employer registering an apprentice, and these figures show that more employers are doing just that," said Brian Bickley, Chair of the Alberta Apprenticeship and Industry Training Board. "The Board is working closely with industry and government to help more Albertans take advantage of our province's world-renowned apprenticeship and industry training system."
In the past five years, the Alberta government has provided approximately $80 million to support expanded training opportunities for apprentices in this province.
Backgrounder
Approximate increase in number of apprentices by region in 2005
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Total number of apprentices registered by year, 1995 to 2005
More information on Alberta's apprenticeship and industry training system can be found online at www.tradesecrets.org or www.advancededucation.gov.ab.ca.
