Premiers sign Provincial-Territorial Apprentice Mobility Protocol

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ST. JOHN’S, N.L. (July 17, 2015) – Premier Bob McLeod and his provincial and territorial colleagues signed a new Apprentice Mobility Protocol at the annual summer meeting of Canada’s Premiers this week, providing apprentices with a national certification to work across Canada. 

The Protocol articulates the agreements jurisdictions have reached to achieve a provincial-territorial approach to mobility for apprentices.  It includes the recognition that work experience and technical training may occur in any jurisdiction; jurisdictions will facilitate mobile apprentices progressing through their apprenticeship programs; and the mutual recognition of apprenticeship training and pre-apprenticeship training between jurisdictions.

“This initiative is a significant step in promoting labour market mobility across Canada and will support our efforts to increase the population of the NWT,” said Premier McLeod. “There is a growing need for skilled tradespeople across the country, and with this Protocol, we are providing a means for apprentices to choose where they would practise without having to recertify.”

Each province and territory is currently responsible for apprenticeship, resulting in 13 different apprenticeship systems across the country.  This can lead to barriers in apprenticeship skills training mobility and may interrupt the continuum of skills training for apprentices that need or want to move while completing their apprenticeship.

“We have a number of initiatives underway to promote the NWT as an attractive destination for people to live and work,” said the Premier. “This includes investments in energy conservation and efficiency, in infrastructure, healthcare, our resident workforce, ensuring a competitive tax system and creating partnerships across public and private industry. We are taking innovative approaches and creating incentives, and the Apprentice Mobility Protocol is one more link in the chain.”

Jurisdictions continue to discuss implementation details, with the Protocol expected to take effect in all jurisdictions in January 2016.

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Media inquiries:

Roya Grinsted
Cabinet Communications
Government of the Northwest Territories
Tel: (867) 669-2308
Email: roya_grinsted@gov.nt.ca