Carpenter Apprenticeship - University College of the NorthCarpentry Education in CanadaCarpentry and Woodworking Programs -- Community College Programs
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Carpenter Apprenticeship - University College of the North What is an apprenticeship? An apprenticeship is a method of learning a trade through a combination of periods of in-class, technical/theoretical education and periods of paid, on-the-job training. During the latter portions of an apprenticeship, the student (apprentice) will work, in an indentured capacity, under the direction of a certified, journeyperson member of the trade one is learning, for a specific period of time. A journeyperson is an individual who has earned the standards of practice of his/her trade. In Manitoba, apprenticeships are under the authority of the Apprenticeship Branch of the Department of Manitoba Competitiveness, Training, and Trade. In Manitoba, completing a carpentry apprenticeship consists of 4 levels of at least 1800 each, in-class and on-the-job components combined, and normally takes about 4 years. About 80 to 85 percent of an apprenticeship is comprised of experiential learning. The wage an apprentice earns depends on various factors such as education/training, experience, and economic aspects like supply and demand. In Manitoba, an apprentice's wage also depends on the locale in which one works. In Winnipeg, for example, apprentices working in residential construction are, at least, paid the minimum wage plus 80 percent during level one training, 115 percent during level two, 150 percent during level three, and 180 percent during level four. Elsewhere in Manitoba, an apprentice earns a percentage of what a carpenter can earn starting at 65 percent of the latter's wage in level one and rising to about 90 percent by level four. The advantage of completing an apprenticeship is not only that one acquires in-depth knowledge and skills in a trade but also that, within the latter, one's career opportunities and salary potential are normally increased. Furthermore, once an individual has obtained journeyperson status, he/she may be eligible to have his/her certification as such endorsed by the Interprovincial Standards Red Seal Program (Red Seal). The latter enables the journeyperson to practice his/her trade throughout Canada, provided the trade is designated in that locale, without undergoing further examinations. How does one become an apprentice? In Manitoba, to be eligible to enter an apprenticeship, an individual will usually need to be at least 16 years of age, although many employers prefer at least high school graduates. Before a person can enter an apprenticeship program, he/she must find a qualified (journeyperson) employer willing to apprentice him/her. The responsibility for finding an employer ultimately rests with the person wanting to be apprenticed. However, the Apprenticeship Branch and Manitoba government in general may provide services to assist individuals attain suitable employment or at least help them improve their respective employability credentials. Furthermore, individuals can complete a relevant program at a College, such as the University College of the North's Carpentry / Woodworking program, before seeking an apprenticeship. The advantage of completing a relevant program and/or training before seeking to be apprenticed is that the graduate often finds favour with potential employers because he/she has obtained the skills required to become immediately productive on the job, and thus may find sponsorship easier to come by. Moreover, a person who possesses previous training and/or work experience in the trade in which he/she wants to be apprenticed may be eligible to receive time credits towards the apprenticeship program and/or may be able to challenge the latter's technical training portion. Before an individual can be officially indentured, he/she and his/her employer must officially register with the Apprenticeship Branch of the Department of Manitoba Competitiveness, Training, and Trade. To begin the registration process, the student, once he/she has found an employer willing to train him/her, must contact the office of the Apprenticeship Branch closest to him/her. Both the apprentice and his/her employer must sign an official apprenticeship contract. Once the apprenticeship has been approved, the apprentice may proceed with applying for the Carpenter Apprenticeship the University College of the North. Apprentices will be eligible for financial aid, should they need it, as well as Employment Insurance (EI).
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