Employer groups say changes won’t help shortages of skilled workers
The Manitoba government is making regulatory changes to enhance training for workers in the province.
Manitoba is altering the Changes to the Apprenticeship and Certification General Regulation to reinstate the 1:1 apprentice-to-journeyperson ratio, effective Oct. 30.
With the move, the government is ensuring that apprentices receive quality training and supervision throughout their programs, said Jamie Moses, minister of economic development, investment, trade and natural resources.
“Restoring the 1:1 ratio supports safe and higher quality training for workers,” said Moses. “All Manitobans deserve to come home safely at the end of their workday.”
Ratio requirement removed
The 1:1 ratio was established in response to the 1999 death of Michael Skanderberg, who was killed on the job while working unsupervised. However, the previous government removed the 1:1 ratio requirement, compromising the safety of Manitoba workers, the minister said.
More than three in five employees across the world have never received training on occupational safety and health despite emerging risks and challenges in the workplace, according to the World Risk Poll 2024 Report.
Manitoba is also making other regulatory changes that will modernize the apprenticeship system to reduce administrative burdens and improve Manitoba’s competitiveness with other Canadian jurisdictions, noted the minister, said the provincial government.
Also, Moses noted existing apprenticeship agreements can continue if:
- employers have been permitted to have journeypersons supervise more than one apprentice
- apprentices actively demonstrate continued progress in their apprenticeship program under pre-existing employment agreements
- journeypersons do not take on additional apprentices.
Employer groups unhappy with changes
However, there are some who are criticizing the Manitoba government over the 1:1 apprentice-to-journeyperson ratio.
“Manitoba’s construction industry provides stable, high-paying jobs and develops skills for young people across Manitoba,” said Ron Hambley, Winnipeg Construction Association’s president, in a report from the Winnipeg Sun
“This is a disappointing decision by the provincial government. It will restrict access to apprenticeship programs, denying many young Manitobans the opportunity to learn a trade and build a successful career.”
Rural parts of the province are already struggling to find skilled workers, and the Construction Association of Rural Manitoba (CARM) said this change won’t help.
“That makes a big impact in that company,” said CARM executive director Shawn Wood in a CTV News report. “It limits the number of people on a crew. It could increase costs of buildings because instead of having the two apprentices, you're employing more (journeypersons), which raises the cost of labour.”
The same report noted that the government is willing to be flexible based on regional needs.
“In cases where in remote areas there might be challenges with the number of journey people, we can look at those on a case-by-case basis,” Moses said.
Unions welcome 1:1 apprentice-to-journeyperson ratio
Several stakeholders welcomed the development out of Manitoba.
“Apprenticeship is the training program, Red Seal is the career,” said Tanya Palson, executive director, Manitoba Building Trades. “This change will help young Manitobans feel sure that when they enter the training program, they are supported to completion so that they can build their careers and support their families here at home.”
The International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) 2085 also had a positive reaction to the change.
“IBEW 2085 strongly opposed the 2:1 ratio because for someone training to be an electrician, proper supervision can be a matter of life and death,” said Dave McPhail, business manager of the group. “Restoring the ratio to 1:1 means that this government is serious about building Manitoba with highly skilled, properly trained Red Seals.”
