HUMA Committee Report

Apprenticeship Problems Sign of Conservatives’ Failure to Address Skills Gap NDP Supplementary Report, May 13, 2013

To ensure renewal in the skilled trades and provide competitive training programs to Canadian workers, New Democratic Party members of the Standing Committee on Human Resources believe that the Committee must reject the ill-conceived measures contained in Budget 2013 and consider the full range of recommendations proposed by witnesses at the hearings. New Democrat members are disappointed that the majority report seeks to promote Budget 2013 measures on which the committee heard no testimony, and that it encourages continued self-promotional advertising over real action to boost training outcomes.

To begin with, the NDP is strongly opposed to the fact that the Government decided to fund its new Canada Job Grant using $300 million in unilateral cuts in funding transferred to the provinces through the Labour Market Agreements (LMA). The monies set aside for the LMA were limited already and were intended to fund training for the majority of workers who have no access to Employment Insurance. The new cuts will compromise the already precarious access to training that our most vulnerable workers need to participate fully in the workforce.

Recommendation:

That the government cancel planned cuts of $300 million in transfers for skills training to the provinces that will negatively impact lower-skilled and vulnerable Canadians, and that the government instead negotiate with the provinces on finding solutions to improve the delivery of training to Canadians.

New provisions in Budget 2013 will now force young Aboriginals to participate in mandatory training programs before they can qualify for Income Assistance. However, no similar conditions have been imposed on any other community as a pre-requisite for access to social programs. At a time when we see a groundswell of political activism among young Aboriginals under the “Idle No More” movement, the Conservatives have chosen to fall back on old measures that failed during their dealings with the Aboriginal communities in the past. The NDP rejects such paternalistic and unilateral approaches.

Recommendation:

That the government reverse its paternalistic workfare program aimed at Aboriginal youth living on reserves, and rather that it engage in meaningful consultation with First Nations, Inuit and Metis to improve training programs aimed at increasing the participation and completion rates of Aboriginal Youth in apprenticeships and skilled trades.

The income assistance provided to apprentices under the Employment Insurance program must also be more effectively aligned to their needs. Waiting times[i] and Employment Insurance claim processing times[ii] create serious obstacles for apprentices during their training and were repeatedly cited as one of the single biggest reasons for low completion rates. They still have to meet their family obligations and cope with financial pressure during their training. According to Anna Toneguzzo of the Association of Canadian Community Colleges, “The Government of Canada must fast-track EI claims for apprentices or introduce a mechanism that would provide bridge funding..”[iii] For Robert Blakely of the Building and Construction Trades Department, AFL-CIO, In regard to EI [claims], pre-approve them. Make sure they get the money when they're there. Prior testimony indicates that the number one complaint is not getting EI money”[iv]

The evidence is clear and yet the majority report fails to address this critical issue: it is imperative that the government reconsider its method of delivering income assistance to Canadians participating in apprenticeship programs to ensure the maximum success rate.

Recommendation:

That the federal government study the feasibility, cost and benefits of improving the employment insurance program for apprentices by, for example: eliminating the waiting period for apprentices; paying benefits as of the first week that apprentices return to class, based on the amount paid during the previous session, subject to eventual adjustment; and reminding employers who hire apprentices of their administrative obligations, in order to accelerate the processing of employment insurance claims submitted by apprentices; and that the federal government report its findings to the Committee within six months of publication of this report.

Furthermore, the witnesses heard by the Committee agreed that direct promotion of career opportunities in skilled trades for young people, women, Aboriginals and Canadians living with disabilities is the best tool for apprenticeship program awareness-raising and recruitment.[v] The Committee heard examples of union involvement in school visits to speak directly to the clienteles in question and recruit them.[vi] John Grimshaw of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers summarized his organization’s model for cooperation between the union and employers.[vii]

The government must be a leader and a partner of the provinces and territories to ensure the success of promoting careers in the skilled trades.[viii] Canadians are fed up with partisan advertising promoting the Conservative government’s ill-conceived initiatives. We need a greater engagement of role-models in the school communities and among youth, Aboriginal communities, immigrants, people living with disabilities, and women to spark public interest in skilled trade career opportunities and apprenticeship programs.

Recommendation:

That given the importance of role models to encourage Canadians to undertake apprenticeships, the government work with unions, provincial and territorial governments to increase support for direct outreach to promote apprenticeships and the benefits of careers in the skilled trades for Canadians and especially women, aboriginal communities visible minorities and Canadians living with disabilities.

New Democrats are disappointed that the majority report fails to accurately represent the important testimony heard by Committee and thus does not address significant challenges to the success of apprenticeship programs in Canada. The Conservative government continues to act on its own priorities rather than consulting impacted Canadians.