Alberta, N.S. sign labour mobility deal for apprentices

Want to make moving between provinces easier, less expensive

Alberta and Nova Scotia have signed an agreement in principle to ensure apprenticeship training is transferable between both provinces.

It’s meant to improve the recognition of in-province training, allow for the recognition of apprenticeship work experience hours and enhance labour mobility for apprentices in both provinces.

“This is a win-win for our two provinces and, more importantly, it’s a win for our apprentices. Today's reality is workers are moving all over the country. Our job is to make sure they have clear pathways to obtaining their certification so they can take full advantage of the good jobs in our region,” said Stephen McNeil, premier of Nova Scotia.

It’s about making it easier for apprentices and skilled workers in Canada to go where the work is, said Dave Hancock, premier and minister of innovation and advanced education in Alberta.

“The goal of this agreement with Nova Scotia is to streamline labour mobility, increase access to apprenticeship training and ideally, help Alberta attract more workers to meet the demands of our growing economy.”

Under the arrangement, if an apprentice takes pre-apprenticeship training at the provincewide Nova Scotia Community College (NSCC) and then moves to Alberta, his training will be recognized. This will save apprentices from writing additional exams or repeating courses.

The two provinces are also working on an agreement that would make the process of moving between Nova Scotia and Alberta easier and less expensive for apprentices to continue their education.

This co-operation between the two provinces will further support Nova Scotia’s efforts to modernize its apprenticeship system. On July 1, the Nova Scotia government transferred the apprenticeship training division of the Department of Labour and Advanced Education to a separate agency focused on getting more employers involved, improving the number of apprenticeship opportunities in the province and helping more apprentices complete their training. The agency will work with industry to identify further opportunities for harmonization of apprenticeship training in the country.

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