Released on July 4, 2019
The Saskatchewan Apprenticeship and Trade Certification Commission (SATCC) has issued sanctions against 22 construction electricians for engaging in academic misconduct while attending apprenticeship technical training.Sanctions include the suspension and cancellation of journeyperson certifications for varying lengths of time, and the suspension of apprenticeships for varying lengths of time. After an investigation led by the SATCC and a third-party investigation firm, it was determined the apprentices obtained access to materials they should not have had access to during technical training, including level exams and Red Seal interprovincial certification exams.
The investigation determined that misconduct took place from 2015 until 2018 among some apprentices attending technical training at the Saskatchewan Polytechnic campus in Moose Jaw. Section 40 of The Apprenticeship and Trade Certification Commission Regulations gives the SATCC the ability to suspend or cancel certificates where the organization has reasonable grounds to believe they were obtained fraudulently.
Since the construction electrician trade is compulsory, the individuals are not able to work legally in Saskatchewan as construction electricians during the suspension or cancellation periods. People working in compulsory trades must be either registered apprentices working under the supervision of a certified journeyperson or certified journeypersons themselves. In other words, apprenticeship and certification are required to work in these trades.
The construction electricians who possessed electrical licenses have had them suspended for the same period of time that their journeyperson certifications are cancelled or suspended. In order to hold an electrical license, Construction Electricians require a valid journeyperson certificate.
The SATCC co-ordinated its sanctions with the Ministry of Government Relations’ Gas and Electrical Licensing unit. The electrical licensing program applies to contractors, employers and individuals who perform electrical work; this process protects the public by ensuring electrical installations comply with safety standards.
Moving forward, the SATCC and Saskatchewan Polytechnic are working together to prevent instances of academic misconduct from occurring in the future. The SATCC now videotapes all of its exam sittings. Senior managers audit exam sittings to ensure invigilators are following established procedures and protocols; and an external investigator has been retained on contract to investigate any future allegations of academic misconduct.
The SATCC plans to transition from paper exams to online exams with enhanced security mechanisms. The SATCC is also committed to working closely with its training providers to establish stronger practices related to program integrity, exam procedures and protocols.
Saskatchewan Polytechnic is conducting an audit of the institution’s current exam practices. A new policy will be drafted based on the findings. Saskatchewan Polytechnic is developing and providing additional training for faculty on best practices for safeguarding exams and exam integrity. The institution has also created an internal website where faculty and students can share concerns about academic misconduct anonymously.
The SATCC oversees the apprenticeship and trade certification system in Saskatchewan. The SATCC trains apprentices; certifies apprentices and tradespeople; regulates the apprenticeship system of training; and promotes apprenticeship. Saskatchewan Polytechnic is the SATCC’s primary training provider.
Saskatchewan Polytechnic is contracted to provide apprenticeship technical training for construction electrician apprentices across Saskatchewan.
To view the construction electricians receiving sanctions, visit www.saskapprenticeship.ca/legislative-sanctions. The SATCC has notified the employers of the construction electricians receiving sanctions.
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For more information, contact:
Chelsea Coupal
Saskatchewan Apprenticeship and Trade Certification Commission
Regina
Phone: 306-787-0187
Email: chelsea.coupal@gov.sk.ca
Cell: 306-537-4692
Brianna Bergeron
Saskatchewan Polytechnic
Saskatoon
Phone: 306-659-3866
Email: brianna.bergeron@saskpolytech.ca
Cell: 306-250-3978
Jay Teneycke
Government Relations
Regina
Phone: 306-798-6095
Email: jay.teneycke@gov.sk.ca