Released on September 23, 2009
Industry, training and government partners join with the Saskatchewan Apprenticeship and Trade Certification Commission (SATCC) in celebrating three significant milestones today. This year marks 65 years of formal apprenticeship training in Saskatchewan, 50 years since the first Interprovincial Standards Red Seal Program endorsement was issued in Canada and 10 years since the creation of the industry-led SATCC.
"These milestones reinforce that the apprenticeship training and trade certification system is key to meeting the talent challenge and building Saskatchewan's future," Advanced Education, Employment and Labour Minister Rob Norris said. "With a strong apprenticeship and trade certification system, our youth have the ability to receive high quality training for jobs that are in demand and for careers that are both challenging and rewarding."
"During this historic year, we reminisce about the challenges and highlight the significant achievements of apprenticeship training and trade certification over the last 65 years," Commission Board Chairperson Garry Kot said. "The number of designated trades has grown from 13 trades in 1944 with a handful of apprentices to 47 designated trades with almost 9,000 apprentices in 2009."
For the third consecutive year, the SATCC has experienced unprecedented growth. Since 2005, the number of registered apprentices has increased by 64 per cent, technical training has increased by 72 per cent and journeyperson certifications have increased by 28 per cent.
"As the provincial economy has continued to grow, the commission has been able to respond to the challenges of delivering more services to more clients while maintaining the quality and integrity of the industry-led program," Kot said.
A special guest at the celebration was 81 year old Ed Schoenroth, a retired plumber and owner of C&E Heating and Plumbing in Moose Jaw. Ed was one of the first apprentices to indenture in the skilled trades in Saskatchewan in 1946, andhas advice for today's youth. "Apprenticeship is an excellent opportunity to obtain a technical education and working in a skilled trade is an honourable way to earn a good living," Schoenroth said. Ed has believed and practised this throughout his lifetime as a journeyperson plumber, employer and industry advocate.
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For more information, contact:
Audrey Wolf-Kaminski
Apprenticeship and Trade Commission
Regina
Phone: 306-787-5284
Email: audrey.wolf@gov.sk.ca
Cell: 306-533-9231