Notice of Program Change for Boilermaker Apprenticeship

This notice is to inform you about pending changes to the Boilermaker apprenticeship program. The goals of these changes are to streamline the course intakes, reduce the amount of technical training terms and increase success rates on the Provincial and Interprovincial Red Seal exams.

Background

In 2008, the Boilermaker Provincial Apprenticeship Committee (PAC) reviewed the apprenticeship program based on concerns expressed by employers and apprentices regarding the number of technical training levels and volume of material presented during technical training. The Boilermaker program was initially changed to four periods with an Entry Level period of technical training to promote the development of apprentices before they went on to jobsites. This was an excellent concept that, unfortunately, proved to be logistically difficult within the confines of the provincial apprenticeship program. In 2007, the Boilermaker Apprenticeship Agency developed its own specialized pre-apprenticeship, pre-employment training. This program, titled

"WorkSmart" addresses the needs of apprentices, contractors, owners and union. Early this year, the Alberta Apprenticeship and Industry Training Board (AIT) agreed with the PAC recommendations for the Boilermaker apprenticeship program adjustment and approved the proposed changes.

Changes to the Program

The revised course outline has now been divided into 3 levels of technical training. Course material was refined and re-distributed within the newly established levels. The new course outline is 3 periods of 12 months each with 1500 hours of on the job training and 8 weeks of technical training in each period. Included is a list of advantages we foresee with the new program:

- Wage increase after each level of technical training (with completed on-the-job hours)

- Increased program efficiency – ability to become a journeyman in less time.

- Time gained for valuable class and shop training by reducing the orientation, review

and exam days originally needed for the 4 periods of technical training.

- Improved opportunity for students to recover

if having difficulty with course material.

- 8-week training session will also allow instructors more time to work with students who need the extra help.

- Less disruptions to student’s personal and

financial lives with one less intake of technical training.

- In turn, apprentices who arrive at the

jobsite will be better prepared with hands-on experience and knowledge.

In order to facilitate this change the Boilermaker Apprenticeship Agency has worked with Alberta Apprenticeship and the Boilermaker PAC to make the transition as seamless as possible. The new course outline was reviewed and options were developed for apprentices currently in the program. Information on these options is available on our website at www.boilermakers.ca or you can contact the Boilermaker apprenticeship agency office at (780) 451-5992, ext 255.

How this change will effect you:

Just starting your apprenticeship (click here)

Completed first period (click here)

Completed second period (click here)

Completed thrid period (click here)