Apprenticeship Program - CHANGES

Over the past few years the Glazing Contractors Association of BC and the Industry Training Authority have been working to develop a new more flexible model for apprentice training. The model has not proven to be as effective as anticipated. Consequently a decision has been made by the industry to simplify the training model. This transition will take place over the next six months and we anticipate full delivery of the new system in January 2009.

The Construction Industry Training Organization (CITO) has been assigned the responsibility of developing the simplified training model in conjunction with the release of the new Glazing National Occupational Analysis. Industry Training Organizations (ITOs) are the mechanism by which the ITA is giving industry lead responsibility for improving industry training in a specific sector. They are not-for-profit legal entities with responsibility for designated industry training programs. ITOs are established by industry, and are accountable to and co-funded by the ITA. CITO is mandated by the ITA as the ITO for the industrial/commercial/institutional construction sector.

Unfortunately CITO was not around when GCABC started to redesign the apprentice program, but they are involved now and this can only lead to a program that is successful in providing a quality, industry driven program. An Industry Committee for this trade has been organized and this work will take place through the summer with exams and curriculum being addressed in the fall.

Apprentices who have completed some of the modules of the current program will receive credit for their training so far and will complete their remaining training with the simplified training model and prepare to write Interprovincial Examination in a timely manner.

For the remainder of 2008, the DC 38 Training Center has offered to deliver Module B. Module B is a four week program. DC 38 will be offering 3 sessions starting in September. This will assist all apprentices who have completed Module A and will need Module B in order to meet the requirements of Level 1 under the new program. All other classes will be on hold until the new program outline and exams are available in 2009.

The transition plan is outlined as follows:

Current Modules A + B = Level 1

Current Modules C + D = Level 2

Current Modules E+F+G = Level 3

Thank you for your patience as we move to improve the training of apprentices in the glazing industry.