Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I don’t know how I’m going to be able to follow that one. With just under 500 apprentices in the NWT, a recent ITI Economic Opportunities Panel reaffirmed the North needs more skilled workers but, more importantly, that these workers be Northerners.
I say this is a great observation, but no one really wants to talk about improving the process of our apprenticeship programs. We keep hearing the promise, finding the people committed to the trades. I say let’s fix and tweak the process and hopefully the people will step forward.
To achieve this, one must take the time to talk about our current apprentices and ask them what have been the roadblocks, what have been their barriers.
With limited time today, I will focus on one such barrier, which is the current Targeted Wage Subsidy Program. Currently there are four wage subsidy programs through the Department of Education, Culture and Employment. While the programs differ slightly in their targeted audience, the spirit of the subsidies is to provide employers with incentives to create implemental employment opportunities for Northerners.
Now, this may appear to have all the rigours of a well-oiled machine, yet when you peel back the fundamental of this incentive, the employer is in the driver’s seat and not the apprentice. Why is this of concern? For starters, the control and leverage of wages lie in the hands of the employer. Now, I wish I could say all employers are equal in design, but I can assure you that some employers will use this opportunity to their advantage at the sacrifice of the apprentice.
Knowing your employment contract money in your future education is in the hands of the employer offers little hope for those apprentices in not-so-favoured situations. Of course, like any employee, you can give your notice, but now your record book, your logbook, and your Apprenticeship Program is now put on hold until you are able to find another employer willing and able to take you on as an apprentice. I can tell you that many apprentices just say they will tolerate what they have. As well, your new employer would then have to reapply for funding, causing even further delays in the apprenticeship process. Again, most apprentices just can’t afford the delay.
What we have currently, in the eyes of northern apprentices, is a grin and bear it program when it comes to the Targeted Wage Subsidy Program. It is this barrier to the program success. The solution, I say, is let’s tip the process on its head and make the apprentice employee the one in the driver’s seat. Let this apprentice have the ability to assign wage subsidy certification with the employer of their choosing. Let the apprentice decide which employer is best suited for the success for their continued program.
I seek unanimous consent to conclude my statement. Thank you.
---Unanimous consent granted
Furthermore, let’s make sure this Targeted Wage Subsidy Program is owned by the apprentice and not the employer.
I will have questions later today for the Minister of Education, Culture and Employment on finding better ways to achieve a better balance that we currently see with the Targeted Wage Subsidy Program and our Apprenticeship Program as a whole. Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mahsi.
Thank you, Mr. Dolynny. The honourable Member for Hay River North, Mr. Bouchard.
