Alberta Apprenticeship Programs a Brief History
Authors: Birce Walter 
Published: March 2010

INTRODUCTION

Alberta's skilled workforce has changed its image during the past decade. The booming economy and the subsequent demand for people with appropriate skills has resulted in a 180 per cent increase in registered apprentices from 10,000 in 1973 to 28,000 in 1982. Apprenticeship training became acknowledged as a viable alternative in university, college or technological training. More than 55 per cent of Alberta's apprentices have completed high school or better. The "earn-as you- learn concept has become attractive to females as well-approximately 600 are now registered in 24 of the 44 designated trades.

With a population of 2.3 million, representing approximately 9 per cent of the population of Canada, Alberta trains one quarter of the country's registered apprentices, and more than 31 per cent of those in Red Seal construction trades.

Alberta has one of the most extensive and active apprenticeship programs in Canada. The system was established in 1945 as a branch within the then Department of Trades and Industry. In 1975, with the proclamation of the Manpower Development Act, the Apprenticeship and Trade Certification Board and a province-wide network of advisory Apprenticeship Committees function to regulate and administer the training and certification of tradesmen to the journeyman level in 44 trades.

Early History

Webster's Dictionary defines an apprentice as "one bound to serve a certain time to learn a trade." It is "this earn while you learn" concept that has attracted apprentices of all ages, and the goal of this experience is journeyman status.

Apprenticeship in Canada before the second world war was very much a hit-and-miss affair. Rudimentary training was carried out in traditional European style, with the young boy simply working in his chosen trade, and known as a "trade lad" or "trade boy". This type of experience was a watered-down concept of the old formalized apprenticeship whereby a young man was indentured to a master tradesman for a period of years, sometimes as long as ten. His wages were board and room; his training, sometimes good and sometimes not, was dependent on the master's ability and skills.

At the outbreak of World War II in September 1939, it became evident that this country was lacking in sufficiently trained trades people. A force of trained tradesmen' was need: ed to mount and organize an efficient technical war effort. Canada's policy at that time was to rely on tradesmen from Europe.

The military tried to fill the gap in their war training for the three armed forces. Massive projects such as the construction of the Alaska Highway pitted men and equipment against the most adverse conditions nature could muster.

In 1944, the federal government approached the provinces with the concept of government-sponsored apprenticeship training programs. It was a cost-shared? arrangement on a 50/50 basis between the provinces and the federal government. Agreement was not long in coming. Governing boards were established and apprenticeship legislation passed in the participating provinces. Each province had full autonomy for organization and operation of their apprentice training system.