Archives
CSTEC Launches First Apprenticeship Consortium
(Last Updated 6/15/2009
The Hamilton Skilled Trades Apprenticeship Consortium (HSTAC) is currently made up of two participating workplaces in the Greater Hamilton region, Arcelor Mittal Dofasco and US Steel, as well as Mohawk College, the MTCU, United Steel Workers and CSTEC. An ongoing goal is to invite other employers interested in apprenticeship training to join this local consortium. CSTEC will also be developing new consortiums in the Sault Ste. Marie region of Ontario and into the western provinces in the near future.
Attrition planning is an important challenge facing almost every industry and every region in Canada today. Nowhere is the challenge greater than in the area of replacing skilled tradespeople that will be retiring in the coming decade(s). A 2005 Human Resource study by CSTEC highlighted this challenge for steel making communities like Hamilton. The study concluded that the Canadian steel industry would lose roughly one third of its workforce and half of its trades to retirement over the following five years. Demographic trends in related industries have pointed to similar results.
While there is a need to initiate and/or expand apprenticeship programs, many workplaces both inside and outside the steel industry in steel making communities are reluctant to begin apprenticeship programs because of the perceived costs and risks associated with apprenticeship programs. These include the administrative resources required to initiate and run the programs, the costs of apprenticeship, the fear of losing apprentices to poaching etc.
The primary goal of a consortium is to act as the Apprenticeship Sponsor when registering students to Ministry of Training Colleges and Universities Apprenticeship Agreements. This is a very significant step because experience has shown that employers, especially small or medium ones, are more likely to get involved in apprenticeship training if their first step is limited to offering work placements to an already registered apprentice. Once an employer sees the benefits of apprenticeship first hand, the objective is to transfer the apprentices' sponsorship to that employer.
CSTEC and our partners are pleased to be able to deliver this innovative and timely program that will benefit our steel companies, employees and communities.
(Last Updated 6/15/2009
The Hamilton Skilled Trades Apprenticeship Consortium (HSTAC) is currently made up of two participating workplaces in the Greater Hamilton region, Arcelor Mittal Dofasco and US Steel, as well as Mohawk College, the MTCU, United Steel Workers and CSTEC. An ongoing goal is to invite other employers interested in apprenticeship training to join this local consortium. CSTEC will also be developing new consortiums in the Sault Ste. Marie region of Ontario and into the western provinces in the near future.
Attrition planning is an important challenge facing almost every industry and every region in Canada today. Nowhere is the challenge greater than in the area of replacing skilled tradespeople that will be retiring in the coming decade(s). A 2005 Human Resource study by CSTEC highlighted this challenge for steel making communities like Hamilton. The study concluded that the Canadian steel industry would lose roughly one third of its workforce and half of its trades to retirement over the following five years. Demographic trends in related industries have pointed to similar results.
While there is a need to initiate and/or expand apprenticeship programs, many workplaces both inside and outside the steel industry in steel making communities are reluctant to begin apprenticeship programs because of the perceived costs and risks associated with apprenticeship programs. These include the administrative resources required to initiate and run the programs, the costs of apprenticeship, the fear of losing apprentices to poaching etc.
The primary goal of a consortium is to act as the Apprenticeship Sponsor when registering students to Ministry of Training Colleges and Universities Apprenticeship Agreements. This is a very significant step because experience has shown that employers, especially small or medium ones, are more likely to get involved in apprenticeship training if their first step is limited to offering work placements to an already registered apprentice. Once an employer sees the benefits of apprenticeship first hand, the objective is to transfer the apprentices' sponsorship to that employer.
CSTEC and our partners are pleased to be able to deliver this innovative and timely program that will benefit our steel companies, employees and communities.
Contact CSTEC
Board of Directors
CSTEC Staff
Sector Study Steering
Committee Apprenticeship Coordinators Essential Skills Coordinators Career Focus Coordinator
Committee Apprenticeship Coordinators Essential Skills Coordinators Career Focus Coordinator
Useful Links Companies Labour Organizations Colleges Government Related Associations