Manitoba to restore 1:1 apprenticeship ratio

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This article was published 23/10/2024 (342 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Citing the safety of workers, the Manitoba government will restore the 1:1 apprentice-to-journeyperson ratio and regulatory changes effective Oct. 30, Trade Minister Jamie Moses said on Tuesday. But the pledge is being met with concern by the construction industry.

The 1:1 ratio, originally implemented in response to the death of Michael Skanderberg in 1999, had been removed by the previous PC government to beef up the skilled labour pool.

Skanderberg, 19, was electrocuted while replacing a school lighting system in 1999 without supervision.

Minister Moses said the move is designed to enhance worker safety, ensure higher quality training, address the province’s skilled labour shortage and modernize training programs.

“Restoring the 1:1 ratio supports safe and higher-quality training for workers,” Moses stated. “All Manitobans deserve to come home safely at the end of their workday. The new regulations would ensure that apprentices receive appropriate supervision and support throughout their training.”

However, operators in the construction sector, especially in rural Manitoba, are concerned about the impact on their operations.

Construction Association of Rural Manitoba (CARM) executive director Shawn Wood told the Sun the industry has reservations about the restored ratio, adding that in August during public consultations the group recommended maintaining the 2:1 ratio, or at the very least limiting the 1:1 ratio to compulsory trades.

“The shift to a 1:1 ratio means fewer job positions will be available for apprentices, as companies will have to hire more journeypersons to meet the new requirement,” Wood said in an interview on Tuesday. “This will extend the time it takes for apprentices to complete their training and qualify for journeyperson status, which could discourage young people from entering the field.”

He said the restored ratio would lead to increased labour costs for construction projects, as businesses would have to employ more journeypersons at higher wages.

“This could, in turn, drive up the costs of building homes and infrastructure projects across Manitoba,” he added.

CARM, he said, is “disappointed” with the decision, highlighting the ongoing skilled labour shortage in the province.

“This also limits opportunities for our young people to enter an industry that provides well-paying jobs and may drive individuals to other provinces to obtain these qualifications,” Wood said.

CARM indicated its willingness to continue consultations with the government.

“We just want to make sure the government is aware that we are open to providing any support and further consultation on this,” he said.

The Brandon Chamber of Commerce also shared CARM’s concerns.

Chamber president Lois Ruston told the Sun the restored 1:1 ratio would hurt local businesses, particularly in the construction and development sectors.

“In a time when there are not enough apprentices to fill current positions, and journeypersons are retiring from their trades, this decision by the provincial government will have long-reaching consequences,” she said in an interview on Tuesday.

“With fewer apprentices entering an already tight labour market, project costs will increase, and timelines will be negatively impacted. In a time when we are trying to work collaboratively across industries to address a housing crisis, our workforce needs more skilled tradespeople entering the workforce, not less.”

Ruston said the Chamber has worked closely with CARM and other business groups to encourage the government to reconsider the ratio shift.

“We co-signed a letter to the board and chair of Apprenticeship and Certification earlier this year, requesting the 2:1 ratio be maintained,” Ruston said.

“I brought up this issue with Premier Wab Kinew during the State of the Province Luncheon last May. We will continue to collaborate with other organizations on this important issue and will advocate for the return of 2:1 apprentice-to-journeyperson ratios so that the construction industry can continue to build Manitoba.”

A Canadian Federation of Independent Business regional spokesperson told the Sun its members “consistently identified a shortage of skilled labour” as one of the top factors limiting their businesses from growing.

“Unfortunately, businesses may now be forced to hire fewer apprentices as they won’t have the journeypersons available to meet the 1:1 ratio,” he said. “This is especially problematic for rural areas of the province where there are fewer journeypersons available, making it difficult for prospective apprentices to find supervision.”

She admitted safety on a worksite is an important consideration, but “this policy comes as an unfortunate step backwards at a time when we desperately need to be adding more skilled labour to the workforce.”

While the regulation primarily affects employers and the construction industry, post-secondary institutions like Assiniboine College are key players in providing technical training to apprentices.

The college, which serves around 800 apprentices annually across eight programs, including welding, electrical, and plumbing, told the Sun the new apprenticeship ratio will not impact the structure of its training programs.

“The apprenticeship ratio does not impact the structure of our apprenticeship programs, as it is a regulation for the employers,” the college’s spokesperson said on Tuesday.

The impact on the college’s partnership with local businesses is “still unclear.”

“Regarding the partnerships, it is not clear yet. Some businesses have speculated that it might constrict hiring, which could reduce apprenticeship numbers, but it is hard to be definitive at this time,” the college said.

The college is preparing to adapt its curriculum to meet the updated requirements, “We will work closely with Apprenticeship Manitoba and its various committees to adjust our curriculum as needed. We understand rural employers can seek exemptions in conditions provided it is a safe and supportive work environment.”

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