Government of Yukon
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FOR RELEASE #07-061
April 16, 2007
Yukon Government Invests In Trades Facilities At Yukon College
WHITEHORSE - Education Minister Patrick Rouble is pleased to announce new funding of $534,000 for Yukon College, subject to legislative approval, to make substantial improvements to trades education facilities throughout the Yukon.
The funds are made available through a federal transfer under the Government of Canada’s Post-Secondary Education Infrastructure Trust Bill C-48.
"In addition to promoting the skilled trades as a smart career option, and working with Yukon employers as they develop skilled trades training opportunities in the workplace, we are also working with Yukon College to ensure that they have the support they need to provide the best educational facilities possible for our apprentices," Rouble said.
In 2006-07, more than $1 million was spent for trades apprentice coursework through the Canada-Yukon Skills Development contribution agreement. More than $470,000 was dedicated to apprentice level courses delivered by Yukon College.
"In the past few years, we have seen a lot of growth in the number of apprentices registering with the Department of Education," Rouble added. "The government is committed to supporting this kind of growth because it will sustain Yukon’s economy in the long-run."
At the beginning of April 2007 there were 343 apprentices registered in the Yukon. In the past year, approximately 43 per cent of Yukon apprentices attended classroom studies at Yukon College. Apprentice level classroom enrollment at Yukon College has grown 90 per cent over the last four years.
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Attachment: Backgrounder facts on apprenticeship in Yukon
| Contact: | |
| Roxanne Vallevand Cabinet Communications 867-633-7949 roxanne.vallevand@gov.yk.ca |
Clea Ainsworth Communications, Education 867-393-7102 clea.ainsworth@gov.yk.ca |
BACKGROUNDER: Apprenticeship in Yukon
• Yukon apprentices are among the best in Canada. Over the years, Yukon apprentices have achieved some of the highest pass rates on the Inter-Provincial Red Seal certification exams. Last year, over 38 per cent of Yukon apprentices received 85 per cent or higher on their trade exams.
• Over 19 per cent of Yukon apprentices identify themselves as First Nation. Per capita, the Yukon is higher than most other jurisdictions in terms of First Nation participation in apprenticeship training programs.
• Apprenticeship involves in-school technical training combined with paid on-the-job training and work experience.
• Apprentices are paid while they are working in their apprenticeships. While away at school, most are eligible for various forms of support and financial assistance. Apprentices can “earn while they learn” and often complete their training debt-free.
• Completing a Yukon apprenticeship leads to certification as a journeyperson. In most of the Yukon designated trades, apprentices can write an Inter-Provincial Red Seal examination, which is recognized in other participating Canadian provinces and territories.
• There are 48 designated trades for apprenticeship in Yukon. Examples include carpenter, sheet metal worker, power-line technician, automotive service technician and parts-person.
• Apprenticeship is a partnership between employers, employees and government. The Yukon Apprenticeship Advisory Board is comprised of representatives of employers and employees in Yukon trades advising the government on apprenticeship and certification matters.