Myth Busting

• No. All trades that were designated under the Apprenticeship and Industry Training Act (AIT Act) will remain designated with no changes to individual apprenticeship programs when the act comes into force.

• All tasks, activities, and functions under the AIT Act will become restricted activities under the STAE Act.
• Persons who can perform restricted activities will be the same as those under the AIT Act.
  • For compulsory certification trades, this is only registered apprentices and certified journeypersons.

• No. Micro-credentials are not being created as a result of the changes to the legislative framework.
• Trade certification will continue to cover the full scope of the trade, with no option for certification in smaller trade components.

• Post-secondary institutions will continue to develop curriculum based on competencies identified by industry and provide classroom instruction (also known as technical training) for apprenticeship education programs.
• This will include assessing apprentice’s skills and competencies during classroom education.

Sponsors may include employers, consortia of employers, labour organizations, non-profit organizations and more.

Sponsor responsibilities include:

• Ensuring apprentices receive quality on-the-job education through mentorship
• Ensuring apprentices are paid
• Ensuring mentor responsibilities are met, including mentor to apprentice ratios
• Encouraging and enabling progression and completion of an apprenticeship program
• Maintaining employment records for apprentices
• Ensuring forms, documents, and records of period completion are submitted

Mentors are supervising journeypersons or individuals that hold a recognized trade certificate that support apprentices with on-the-job education through effective communication and guidance.

Mentor responsibilities include:

• Providing opportunities for apprentices to develop knowledge and skills
• Assessing apprentice competence and providing feedback
• Providing a supportive learning environment that fosters continuous development
• Incorporating knowledge and skills learned at school with on-the-job education

AIT Officers will continue to have responsibilities for both compliance and education.  This includes:

• Educating sponsors, mentors, and apprentices about Alberta’s apprenticeship system to ensure their responsibilities are met
• Visiting work locations with active apprentices
• Addressing compliance concerns
• Promoting apprenticeship in Alberta by educating students and youth about the skilled trades, and helping them discover opportunities in high school through Career and Technology Studies and the Registered Apprenticeship Program

• Yes. Industry will continue to play a critical role in identifying competencies and setting the standards for certification.
• The strong role of industry in Alberta is a hallmark and will be maintained.
• Once appointed, the Alberta Board of Skilled Trades will set up their industry engagement mechanisms. 
• Industry members are encouraged to draft advice for the Board about how industry can be involved.

• Apprenticeship education programs will continue to include a combination of on-the-job and classroom instruction.
• Apprentices will still require paid employment with on-the-job instruction from a certified journeyperson.

• There will be no changes to apprentice wages when the STAE Act comes into force. 
• Any future changes to apprentice wages will be made by the Minister in consultation with industry.

• There will be no changes to apprentice-to-mentor ratios when the STAE Act comes into force.
• Any future changes to apprentice ratios will be by the Minister made in consultation with industry.