650401a
(120101d)
All Trades
Alberta's Industry Network
Workplace Safety and Tools
First Period
Table of Contents
Objective One ............................................................................................................................................... 2 Trades and Occupations ............................................................................................................................ 2 Apprenticeship and Industry Training System .......................................................................................... 2 The System: Industry-Driven .................................................................................................................... 3 Vision, Mission and Principles of the Board ............................................................................................ 5 Objective Two............................................................................................................................................... 6 Overview ................................................................................................................................................... 6 Alberta Apprenticeship and Industry Training Board ............................................................................... 7 Government............................................................................................................................................... 8 Post-Secondary Institutions....................................................................................................................... 8 Objective Three ............................................................................................................................................. 9 Provincial Apprenticeship Committees..................................................................................................... 9 Local Apprenticeship Committees .......................................................................................................... 10 Occupational Committees ....................................................................................................................... 10 Frequently Asked Questions about the Industry Network ...................................................................... 11 Additional Resources .............................................................................................................................. 13 Apprenticeship and Industry Training Offices ........................................................................................ 14 NOTES
Alberta's Industry Network
Rationale
Why is it important for you to learn this skill?
Alberta's apprenticeship and industry training system relies on industry to keep its
programs current and relevant. The system relies on the support of the industry network
that is composed of the Alberta Apprenticeship and Industry Training Board, local
apprenticeship committees (LACs), provincial apprenticeship committees (PACs) and
occupational committees. Improving your awareness of the industry network may
increase the likelihood of your involvement in the apprenticeship and industry training
system after completion of your program.
Outcome
When you have completed this module, you will be able to:
Describe the role of the Alberta Apprenticeship and Industry Training Board and the
network of industry committees that represent the trades and occupations in Alberta.
Objectives
1. Describe Alberta's apprenticeship and industry training system.
2. Describe the roles and responsibilities of the Alberta Apprenticeship and Industry
Training Board, government and post-secondary institutions.
3. Describe the roles and responsibilities of the PACs, LACs and occupational
committees.
Introduction
Alberta has a strong apprenticeship and industry training system. One of the reasons for
this strength is the high level of participation of industry representatives on the Alberta
Apprenticeship and Industry Training Board and the network of industry committees.
The information in this module is intended to make you aware of the Board and the
industry committees and demonstrate how you can become involved and contribute to the
future of your trade or occupation.
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Objective One
When you have completed this objective, you will be able to:
Describe Alberta's apprenticeship and industry training system.
Trades and Occupations
Apprenticeship is a combination of on-the-job training and work experience under the
guidance of a certified journeyperson or qualified trades person, and technical training in
the theory, technologies and skills related to the trade. Depending on the trade,
apprenticeship programs in most of Alberta's designated trades are three or four years.
Individuals who achieve the standards set by the Board on the recommendation of the
applicable provincial apprenticeship committee are granted an Alberta Journeyman
Certificate by the Minister of Enterprise and Advanced Education.
About 80 percent of an apprentice's training takes place on the job. The other 20 percent
is technical training provided at or through, a post-secondary institution. To be certified,
apprentices must learn theory, demonstrate skills and pass examinations.
Training in designated occupations, both on the job and in school, is the responsibility of
industry. To be certified in a designated occupation, individuals must demonstrate skills
and competencies and pass examinations.
Apprenticeship and Industry Training System
Alberta's apprenticeship and industry training system is an industry driven system that
ensures a highly skilled, internationally competitive workforce in over 50 designated
trades and occupations.
 Industry (employers and employees) establishes training and certification
standards and provides direction to the system through an industry committee
network and the Alberta Apprenticeship and Industry Training Board.
 The Alberta government provides the legislative framework and administrative
support for the apprenticeship and industry training system.
 Technical institutes and colleges provide the formal classroom training.
 Individual employers employ, train and provide apprentices an opportunity to
develop their skills on the job.
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The System: Industry-Driven
The Alberta Apprenticeship and Industry Training Board oversees the apprenticeship and
industry training system. The system relies on a province-wide network of trade and
occupation-specific committees that represent the interests of industries requiring skilled
workers in the designated trades and occupations. The committee network is the
foundation of the apprenticeship and industry training system.
Alberta Apprenticeship and Industry Training Board
The Alberta Apprenticeship and Industry Training Board is appointed by the Lieutenant
Governor in Council and consists of a chair and 12 members. Eight members represent
the interests of designated trades and four-members represent the interests of other
occupations. There are an equal number of employer and employee representatives.
The Board's primary responsibility relates to establishing the standards and requirements
for the training and certification in programs under the Apprenticeship and Industry
Training Act. As well, it makes recommendations to the Minister of Enterprise and
Advanced Education about the needs of Alberta's labour market for skilled and trained
workers, and about the designation of trades and occupations.
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Industry Network
The Alberta Apprenticeship and Industry Training Board establishes and appoints
members to trade-specific local and provincial apprenticeship committees and
occupation-specific occupational committees. Each of these committees is composed of
equal numbers of employers and employees.
It is the role of the trade and occupation-specific committees, as well as the Board to
determine the scope (the description of the work) of each trade and occupation and the
standards of skill training and/or competency required for certification. Figure 1 shows
the structure and organization of the Alberta Apprenticeship and Industry training system.
Figure 1 - Structure and organization of the Alberta Apprenticeship
and Industry training system.
Individual Employers
Individual employers support the apprenticeship and industry training system by
employing, training and providing apprentices with the opportunity to develop their skills
on the job and by participating in the industry network.
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Vision, Mission and Principles of the Board
The following section will discuss the Board's vision, mission and principles.
Vision
Highly skilled and trained people in designated trades and occupations meeting the needs
of industry and society.
Mission
To establish and maintain high quality training and certification standards in the
apprenticeship and industry training system, and to promote training in the designated
trades and occupations.
Principles
Consider the following principles of the Board.
Accessible
Individuals wishing to pursue a career in the designated trades
and occupations have access to apprenticeship and industry
training.
Funded by All
Apprentices, trainees, employers, and government contribute to
the financial cost of training.
Industry-driven
Industry is responsible for setting the standards for training and
certification, and for providing on-the-job training and work
experience for apprentices and trainees.
Supported by
Government
Government, with advice from industry, has a role in regulating
apprenticeship training and helping individuals to acquire the
skills needed to work in designated trades and occupations.
Collaborative
Apprenticeship and industry training is based on effective
partnerships among stakeholders.
Integrated
Apprenticeship and industry training are options within the
advanced learning system and part of lifelong learning.
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Objective Two
When you have completed this objective, you will be able to:
Describe the roles and responsibilities of the Alberta Apprenticeship and Industry
Training Board, government and the post-secondary institutions.
Overview
Through the combined efforts of industry, government and post-secondary institutions,
Alberta's apprenticeship and industry training system is able to respond to the labour
market and contribute to developing a highly skilled workforce that is competitive
nationally and internationally. Figure 2 shows Alberta's Apprenticeship and Industry
training system.
Figure 2 - Alberta's Apprenticeship and Industry training system.
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Alberta Apprenticeship and Industry Training Board
NOTES
The mandate of the Board relates to the standards and requirements for training and
certification in programs under the Apprenticeship and Industry Training Act. The Board
fulfils its mandate by meeting the requirements and exercising the responsibilities
outlined in the Act and regulations, which include the following.
 Advise the Minister of Enterprise and Advanced Education about Alberta labour
market needs for skilled and trained people and for training and certification in
trades and occupations.
 Make recommendations to the Minister about the designation of trades and
occupations and the changing or rescinding of existing designations.
 Establish or recognize committees, including local and provincial apprenticeship
committees, occupational committees, provisional committees and other
committees it deems appropriate and appoint members to those committees.
 Promote the pursuit of careers in trades and occupations and the training and
certification of people in trades and occupations.
 Develop policies respecting the recognition of training as equivalent to training
provided under the Act.
 Make orders respecting standards and requirements for training and certification
in designated trades and for certification in designated occupations and the
criteria or requirements for granting and recognizing trade certificates,
occupational certificates and other certificates under the Act.
 Make regulations respecting:
- the description of a designated trade or occupation and
- the standards and requirements of apprenticeship programs and the
training of apprentices.
Standing Committees of the Board
The Board has several standing committees to assist with its work. These committees:
 monitor labour market activity, identify industry-related training needs and
opportunities and address operational activities of the Board;
 formulate training and certification policy and standards that meet emerging
requirements of the apprenticeship and industry training system;
 monitor the operations of the industry advisory network and review nominations
for membership in the provincial apprenticeship committees, local apprenticeship
committees, and occupational committees;
 review applications and provide recommendations to the Minister regarding the
appointment of Board members and
 assist in the selection and recognition of award and scholarship recipients.
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Government
The Alberta government provides the legislative framework for the apprenticeship and
industry training system through the Apprenticeship and Industry Training Act.
Alberta Enterprise and Advanced Education, Apprenticeship and Industry Training
supports apprentices and the industry network by:
 facilitating the development and maintenance of industry training and
certification standards,
 providing registration and counselling services to apprentices and employers,
 working with institutions to co-ordinate technical training and
 certifying apprentices and others who meet industry standards.
The Alberta Enterprise Advanced Education and, Apprenticeship and Industry Training,
encourages Alberta employers and employees to participate through enforcement and
promotion activities.
Post-Secondary Institutions
The technical institutes and colleges also participate in Alberta's apprenticeship and
industry training system. They work with the Board and the industry committees to
enhance access and responsiveness to industry needs through the delivery of technical
training. The post-secondary institutions provide technical training for apprentices to the
standards described in the course outlines established by industry.
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Objective Three
When you have completed this objective, you will be able to:
Describe the roles and responsibilities of the PACs, LACs and Occupational Committees.
Provincial Apprenticeship Committees
The Board is required by the Apprenticeship and Industry Training Act to establish a
provincial apprenticeship committee (PAC) for each trade. The Board appoints a
presiding officer and equal numbers of employees and employers to serve on the PAC.
PACs are responsible for making recommendations to the Board about training and
certification requirements and standards for their trade. PACs are the link between the
LACs and the Board. They are in charge of carrying out the following eight tasks.
1. PACs identify the training needs for their trade and make recommendations to
the Board about:
 standards and requirements for training and certification in their trade,
 courses and exams related to their trade,
 any matter related to apprenticeship and certification,
 the designation of trades and occupations and
 regulations and orders under the Act.
2. PACs monitor the activities of local apprenticeship committees in their trade,
seeking LAC concerns and recommendations regarding the following basic
goals.
 Apprentice training needs are being met.
 Local employers' skill requirements are being met.
 Program content meets local industry's skill requirements.
 Apprenticeship programs are available to meet the skill requirements of
local industry when needed.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
They report LAC assessment of local conditions and concerns about the trade to
the Board and make recommendations to the Board on the need of LACs.
PACs determine whether training provided by others is equivalent to training
provided in an apprenticeship program in the trade and recognize training.
The presiding officers of PACs participate in a formal dispute resolution process
to help settle certain kinds of disputes between apprentices and their employers.
Most disagreements are resolved informally by the apprenticeship client services
consultant or through LACs.
PACs consult with other committees established or recognized by the Board.
PACs promote apprenticeship programs and the pursuit of careers in their trade.
PACs consult with organizations, associations and others who have an interest in
their trade and with employers and employees in their trade.
PACs carry out functions or duties assigned to them by the Board.
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Local Apprenticeship Committees
Wherever there is activity in a trade, the Board can set up a local apprenticeship
committee (LAC). The Board appoints a presiding officer and equal numbers of
employees and employers to serve on the committee.
LACs are the grassroots of the apprenticeship and industry training system. They stay in
touch with local activities in their trade, providing local information to their trade's PAC.
LACs perform the following six functions.
1. LACs make recommendations to the Board about the appointment of members to
their trade's PAC.
2. LACs make recommendations to the PAC about any matter relating to
apprenticeship and certification in their trade; for example:
 local programs for PAC recognition,
 changes needed to make apprenticeship training programs more current
with local trade practices and
 changes in technical training scheduling that would better suit local
apprentice and employer needs.
3. LACs monitor apprenticeship programs and the progress of apprentices in their
trade to ensure:
 local apprentices' training needs are being met,
 local employers' skill requirements are being met and
 apprenticeship program content is meeting industry's skill requirements.
4. The LAC presiding officers participate in a formal dispute resolution process to
help resolve certain types of disputes between employers and apprentices. Most
disagreements are handled locally by the apprenticeship client services consultant
and the LAC rarely becomes involved.
5. LACs promote apprenticeship programs and training and the pursuit of careers in
their trade.
6. LACs carry out functions or duties assigned by the PAC or the Board.
Occupational Committees
The Board is authorized by regulation to establish an occupational committee for each
designated occupation. The Board appoints a presiding officer, employees and employers
to serve on the committee. The Board can also recognize established committees as
occupational committees.
Occupational committees are the grassroots for their occupation as well as the link
between the occupation and the Board.
1. Occupational Committees make recommendation to the Board on:
 any matter concerning training and certification in their occupation;
 standards and requirements for certification, and
 examinations and assessments.
They communicate issues and recommendations to the Board.
2. Occupational committees determine whether training provided by others is
equivalent to training provided in their occupation and recognise training.
3. Occupational committees promote the apprenticeship and industry training
system in Alberta.
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Frequently Asked Questions about the Industry Network
NOTES
The following five questions pertaining to the industry network are frequently asked.
1. How Do Industry Network Members Consult With Industry?
Consultation with industry means sharing information about apprenticeship and
industry training issues with employers and employees and seeking their views on the
issues. It also means informing industry of changes to apprenticeship and industry
training.
Consultation with industry could mean talking with local industry associations,
labour unions and employee associations, and individual employers and employees.
Consulting could include writing articles for their newsletters and asking for
feedback, or reporting in person on apprenticeship issues at their meetings.
Consulting can also mean making occasional phone calls to employers and
employees to let them know what issues are being discussed by the LAC, PAC or
occupational committee, to hear their opinions on the issues, and to seek new issues
that should be discussed.
It often means one or more members of the LAC, PAC or occupational committee
attending appropriate local, regional and/or provincial industry conventions, making
themselves known to attendees, and listening to concerns and/or opinions that are
expressed about training and certification.
2. How Do Industry Network Members Promote Apprenticeship and
Industry Training?
Members can promote apprenticeship and industry training in the following ways.
 Represent apprenticeship and industry training in an information booth at a
trade show.
 Participate in career days at local schools.
 Make contact with school guidance counsellors and offer to make classroom
presentations about apprenticeship and trades and occupation careers or to
provide information and/or mentoring to students who are interested in such
careers.
 Participate in Skills Canada Alberta events.
 Attend and speak at local service club luncheons and meetings.
 Write articles for trade association or union newsletters.
 Informally discuss apprenticeship and industry training in a positive way
with friends, neighbours and business acquaintances.
 Carry brochures for distribution to people who are in need of more
information about the apprenticeship and industry training system.
 Encourage individuals to get involved in the industry committee network by
becoming members.
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3. How Do LACs Monitor the Apprenticeship Program and the
Progress of Apprentices?
In discussions with industry organizations and their members, LAC members may
look for employer, journeyperson and apprentice views on how the apprenticeship
program is working locally. Some questions LAC members could ask include:
 how changes to an apprenticeship program are working,
 whether the course curriculum meets the needs of the employer and the
apprentice and
 whether the program is up to date with current practices in the local area.
Occasionally, LAC members may be asked to review individual apprentice or
employer files.
4. When Could a PAC or Occupational Committee Be Considered
For Expansion?
The Board could consider expanding a PAC or occupational committee to broaden
industry involvement and address:
 the variety of industry sectors within the trade,
 the geographic representation of trade or occupational activity,
 the emergence of new branches within a trade,
 the restructuring or expansion of the scope of a trade or occupation.
 the rapid technological change in a trade or occupation.
5. What Does the Board Consider When Reviewing
Recommendations From Industry For Committee Membership?
The Board creates industry committees and appoints their members. Appointments
are made based on information supplied in an application form available from any
apprenticeship and industry training office and from www.tradesecrets.gov.ab.ca..
When industry nominates an individual for committee membership, the Board
reviews the application based on the following principles. The Board aims for
committees that:
 represent employer and employee members in equal numbers;
 contain members who are associated with and knowledgeable about the trade
or occupation;
 are composed of members who work in, or engage the services of persons
who work in the designated trades or occupations;
 represent users of the apprenticeship and industry training system and the
geographic locations within Alberta where training and certification occur;
 have employee representatives who hold a certificate in the relevant trade or
occupation and
 have employer representatives who are actively involved in the relevant trade
or occupation, but are not necessarily certified.
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Additional Resources
Consider the following for additional resources.
Key Contact List
Looking for:
Contact: (phone numbers follow)
Apprenticeship application forms
The local apprenticeship and industry
training office or
www.tradesecrets.gov.ab.ca
The local apprenticeship and industry
training office or
www.tradesecrets.gov.ab.ca
Apprenticeship and Industry Training
publications
Disputes settlement
(employer and apprentice)
Local client services consultant for the
trade
Registration for technical training
The apprenticeship and industry training
office nearest you for information on
contacting training institutions or
www.tradesecrets.gov.ab.ca
Scholarships and grants
The local Alberta Works Centre/ CanadaAlberta Service Centre or apprenticeship
and industry training office or
www.tradesecrets.gov.ab.ca
Skills Canada Alberta information
Web site: www.skillscanada.com
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Apprenticeship and Industry Training Offices
Web Site: www.tradesecrets.gov.ab.ca
E-mail: [email protected]
Hours of Operation: Weekdays, 8:15 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.


To be connected to any Apprenticeship and Industry Training office toll-free
from anywhere in Alberta, call 310-0000 and then either dial the ten-digit
telephone number you wish to reach, or if the number is unknown, ask the
operator to connect you to the Apprenticeship and Industry Training office of
your choice.
Deaf or hearing impaired individuals with a TDD/TTY, call 780-427-9999 in
Edmonton. In other locations call 1-800-232-7215.
Apprenticeship and Industry Training Offices
14
Bonnyville
2nd Floor Provincial Building
4902 50 Avenue
Box 8115
Bonnyville, AB T9N 2J4
Tel: (780) 826-6142
Fax: (780) 826-1904
Calgary
Suite 200, Willow Park Centre
10325 Bonaventure Drive S.E.
Calgary, AB T2J 7E4
Tel: (403) 297-6457
Fax: (403) 297-3799
Edmonton
7th Floor, South Tower
Seventh Street Plaza
10030 - 107 Street
Edmonton, AB T5J 4X7
Tel: (780) 427-8517
Fax: (780) 422-3734
Fort McMurray
Box 19, 7th Floor, Provincial Building
9915 Franklin Avenue
Fort McMurray, AB T9H 2K4
Tel: (780) 743-7150
Fax: (780) 743-7492
Grande Prairie
Suite 100 Towne Centre Mall
9845 - 99 Avenue
Grande Prairie, AB T8V 0R3
Tel: (780) 538-5240
Fax: (780) 538-5237
Hinton
564A Carmichael Lane
Hinton, AB T7V 1S8
Tel: (780) 865-8293
Fax: (780) 865-8376
Lethbridge
Room 280, Provincial Building
200 - 5th Avenue South
Lethbridge, AB T1J 4C7
Tel: (403) 381-5380
Fax: (403) 381-5795
Medicine Hat
3021 Dunmore Rd. SE
Medicine Hat, AB T1B 2H2
Tel: (403) 529-3580
Fax: (403) 529-3564
Peace River
9715 100 Street Midwest Electric Building
Bag 900-28
Peace River, AB T8S 1T4
Tel: (780) 624-6529
Fax; (780) 624 6476
Red Deer
3rd Floor, First Red Deer Place
4911 - 51 Street
Box 302
Red Deer, AB T4N 6V4
Tel: (403) 340-5151
Fax: (403) 340-5153
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Slave Lake
Box 787, 1008 7th Street NE.
Slave Lake, AB T0G 2A0
Tel: (780) 849-7228
Fax: (780) 849-7356
Vermilion
Box 26, 1st Floor, Provincial Building
4701 - 52 Street
Vermilion, AB T9X 1J9
Tel: (780) 853-8150
Fax: (780) 853-8203
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Module Number 650401a (120101d)
Version 4.0