Directors of IUPAT training and Business Managers gather to share ideas at the FTI

Canadian regional directors of IUPAT training gathered at the Finishing Trades Institute of BC in Surrey to share thoughts and ideas about apprenticeship and journeyperson training programs in Canada over July 19 and 20, 2010.

On the top of everyone’s mind was Canada’s national certification program the Red Seal. Once a journeyperson has a Red Seal, he or she is certified to work anywhere in the country. The FTI offers four apprenticeship programs—Painting and Decorating, Glazing, Drywall Finishing, and Interior Systems Mechanics (lathing)—that earn an apprentice a provincial or national (Red Seal) designation upon completion.

On behalf of DC38, Business Manager and Secretary Treasurer Patrick Byrne brought up DC38’s concerns with what seems to be the federal government’s move towards watering down the Red Seal standards. He said it was similar to what the BC Liberals attempted to do when they tried to introduce modular training into B.C.’s provincial apprenticeship program. Creating a modular apprenticeship system would mean people could be certified with a Red Seal without knowledge of the whole trade.

FTI BC Director Graham Young said that despite the distance between the respective training facilities, the directors shared many similar perspectives on training.

“Sometimes it’s easy to work in isolation and think the challenges you face are yours alone,” Young said.
“When the Directors from across Canada got together and met face to face it was apparent that many of those challenges were common to all, and from there, great ideas were expressed.”