APPRENTICESHIP IN THE FLOORCOVERING TRADE
OVERVIEW
Since the initial meeting of AFCA members with Alberta Apprenticeship and Industry Training in December 2003, the floorcovering apprenticeship program has passed a number of milestones.
-March 1,2004 - first meeting of newly appointed Provincial Advisory Committee for Floorcovering Apprenticeship
-June 2004 -Provincial Apprenticeship Board lifts moratorium on floorcovering apprenticeship training courses at the request of the new PAC
-May 2005 - First year apprenticeship training course is offered in Edmonton with a full class of 12 registered and a waiting list of 9
-September 2005 - Another first year apprenticeship training course is offered in Edmonton with a full class of 12 registered
-October 2005 - Floorcovering Industry Forum is held in Edmonton with attendees from across the province including shops, manufacturers and distributors and individual installers - vast majority vote to support the apprenticeship program with specific goals set out by the participants
-October 2005 - February 2006 - a major effort is undertaken to ensure that a minimum of 100 apprentices are registered across the province
-February 2006 - Second year apprenticeship training course is offered in Edmonton with a class of 10 out of 12 spots filled
RENEWED INTEREST
With the reinstatement of scheduled training courses, there has been a renewed interest in apprenticeship. This renewed interest is also stimulated by the shortage of qualified installers available in Alberta and the many issues surrounding the quality of the workmanship found in our industry.
Support for apprenticeship was strong among those who attended the Industry Forum. It was explained that without renewed and increased support from our industry (namely the shops), the apprenticeship program would not continue. A major indicator of industry support and the viability of continuing the program is the number of registered apprentices in our trade. Industry members and Apprenticeship and Industry Training representatives agreed that industry support would be reflected in the registration of 100 apprentices by February 2006 and by maintaining or increasing this number for the future.
As of March 31st, 2006 there are approximately 90 registered apprentices. However, the increase in the number of registered first year apprentices in the Calgary area is a positive step forward. As part of the PAC's plan for expansion and growth, and in recognition of the increased number of first year apprentices in the Calgary area, a first year training class is being considered for Calgary in 2006. However, new and continued support from across the Province is needed to maintain the Apprenticeship program.
SUPPORT THE FUTURE OF YOUR INDUSTRY!
CONTINUED SUPPORT OF APPRENTICESHIP THROUGH REGISTRATION OF NEW APPRENTICES IS REQUIRED TO MAINTAIN THE VIABILITY OF THE PROGRAM.
TAKE THE NECESSARY STEPS NOW TO ENSURE YOUR WORKFORCE FOR THE FUTURE!
1) Contact the closest branch of Apprenticeship and Industry Training - go to www.tradesecrets.gov.ab.ca for more information on apprenticeship and the floorcovering trade
2) Meet with your crews to provide them with information regarding apprenticeship and work with them to register any 'helpers' already working in the field
3) Support the efforts of the AFCA in the awareness programs being implemented through High School Trades Fairs
4) Provide summer employment to high school students expressing interest in learning about our trade
5) Promote apprenticeship training and make it a part of your business plan
DID YOU KNOW THAT:
1) Floorcovering apprenticeship training consists of three periods of on the job training and two periods of technical training - first year - 7 weeks and second year - 6 weeks
2) The approximate cost of tuition for each technical training session is $600.00 (the majority of the costs are absorbed by the provincial government)
3) Grants are available through Apprenticeship and Industry Training. Apprentices are eligible for grants to help pay for tuition, books, supplies and living expenses while at school (applicants must demonstrate need to qualify and more
information is available on the website www.tradesecrets.gov.ab.ca)
If you are a helper, then you can be an apprentice! Experienced installers (minimum 5 years on the tools) and Certified Alberta Journeymen should register their helpers as apprentices now!
SUBCONTRACTORS CAN APPLY ..•
If you are a shop with subcontract crews, a crew' helper' can be registered as an apprentice if:
1. -there is an Alberta Certified Journeyman as a member of the crew
2. -or there is a crew leader with a minimum of 5 years experience and deemed qualified by you to act as a trade mentor
3. -the apprentice can be signed up under the shop or under the Journeyman Installer or qualified mentor.
Floorcovering installers who have no trade certification but can prove that their skills and work experience meet the standards set for journeymen in Alberta may apply for certification under the Qualification Certificate Program.
Please note that negotiations are under way for a Calgary first year course, however there is no specific date at this time.
If you are interested in the September 2006 course, call NAIT @ 780-471-8600 today to register!
If you haven't yet registered as an apprentice, do it today. Normal turnaround time for applications is two months. If you have any questions or concerns contact the nearest Apprenticeship office or call:
Jo-Anne Teed - AFCA Apprenticeship Director @ (403) 250-3900
Alberta Floor Covering Association 1979
Floor Covering Installer Apprenticeship Program
General Information
On January 24, 2006, Alberta Apprenticeship and Industry Training announced a 3-year extension of Government support for The Floor Covering Installer Apprenticeship Program.
This extension is largely due to the efforts of the AFCA and Provincial Apprenticeship Committees, who have worked in unison to revitalize and preserve The Program for the good of the industry.
The new NAIT Floor Covering Installer Training Center is now open at 14705 - 116 Avenue, Edmonton, Alberta.
Dates currently established for Floor Covering Installer apprenticeship training at the Edmonton Training Center:
1st year - September 11, 2006 - October 27, 2006 (Fee $568.75 +gst)
1st Year - March 26, 2007 - May 11, 2007 (Fee $568.75 +gst)
2nd year - February 5, 2007 - March 16, 2007 (Fee $487.50 +gst)
The organization of Calgary first year class is currently under discussion.
Grants are available to financially assist apprentices with tuition, books and living expenses. Details can be found at www.tradesecrets.gov.ab.ca.
Alberta Certified Journeyman Installers and Crew leaders with 5 years or more experience are urged to register their helpers as apprentices.
Are you an experienced Floor Covering Installer without Journeyman Certification?
« If you are an experienced, field proven, floor covering installer with at least 6,615 on the job hours and 54 months of ‘Hands-0n’ work experience than you qualify for the Alberta Journeyman’s Qualification Certificate Program.«
The Steps to attaining your Journeyman Certificate through the Qualification Certificate Program are:
1. complete the Qualification Certificate Program Application and submit it to an Apprenticeship and Industry Training Office
2. Pay the $450.00 required fees as identified on the application noted above: This application fee covers the verification and assessment of the applicant's work experience hours/months as well as one attempt at the Qualification Certificate theory examination. The Qualification Certificate practical examination requires a separate fee as identified on the application noted above. prepare for the exam(s) (see Exam Counselling Sheets). Review available resource materials (see Resource Materials - Floorcovering Installer ) (www.tradesecrets.gov.ab.ca )
3. Successfully complete the required written and practical exams.
For assistance in becoming a Registered Apprentice contact:
Jo- Anne Teed - AFCA Director Apprenticeship and Installation Committee @ (403) 250 -3900
Alberta Floor Covering Association1979
AFCA-Apprenticeship P.R.I.D.E. Program
Positive Reinforcement In Developing Excellence
Attention, all Registered Apprentices in the Alberta floor covering trade!
This is your invitation to join the Alberta Floor Covering Association
Be one of the best ….Not one of the rest
Join the AFCA as a Registered Apprentice Member
&
Get the ‘AFCA Advantage’ working for you
þ In keeping with it’s commitment to Positive Reinforcement In Developing Excellence among floor covering installers, the AFCA is offering all registered floor covering installer apprentices a 50% discount on the first two years of AFCA membership. (Current AFCA Installer’s membership dues are $100.00 + gst per year. Under this offer new Registered Apprentice Members will pay $50.00 + gst per year for the first two years of AFCA membership with full membership benefits.)
If you are working in the floor covering industry as a registered apprentice join the AFCA and receive a 50% discount on your first two years of AFCA membership and your AFCA Membership Card, with full member benefits.
If you are working in the floor covering industry as a non-registered Journeyman’s Helper and would like to register as an apprentice then call Jo- Anne Teed/AFCA, Director, Apprenticeship and Installation Committee at (403) 250 -3900
It is not necessary that your employer is an AFCA member in order to join the AFCA
as a Registered Apprentice Member and receive all member benefits.
Registered Apprentice AFCA Members can be listed on the AFCA preferred hiring list which is available to AFCA employers.
Registered Apprentices are the future leaders of the floor covering industry…
Leaders who will get the most out their careers.
Installers who are not certified or registered in an apprenticeship program are still eligible for AFCA membership, however we strongly urge you to become certified.
«Get The AFCA Advantage«