The Saskatchewan Apprenticeship and Trade Certification
Commission (SATCC), an arms-length commission of the
Government of Saskatchewan responsible for the apprenticeship
and trade certification system in Saskatchewan, performs four
main roles: train apprentices; certify apprentices and tradespeople; regulate
the apprenticeship system of training; and promote apprenticeship.
The regulatory role that SATCC plays is an important one, but perhaps
not as well known as our other roles.
We regulate apprenticeship in the designated trades to ensure compliance
with The Apprenticeship and Trade Certification Act, 1999;
The Apprenticeship and Trade Certification Regulations, 2003; and The
Apprenticeship and Trade Certification Commission Regulations, 2017.
SATCC staff members visit job sites to ensure appropriate on-the-job
apprenticeship training is taking place.
Field consultants check to see that those working in compulsory trades
are either apprentices or journeypersons, and that apprentices are being supervised
on-site by a journeyperson.
In Saskatchewan, there are five compulsory trades: construction electrician;
plumber; refrigeration and air conditioning mechanic; sheet metal
worker; and sprinkler fitter. Those working in these trades must be either
registered as apprentices or certified journeypersons.
All other designated trades in Saskatchewan are voluntary (or non-compulsory),
which means apprenticeship and eventual certification is an option,
but not a requirement. In non-compulsory trades, apprentices can be
supervised by a journeyperson or an experienced tradesperson.
Field consultants visiting job sites also ensure the apprentice-to-journeyperson
ratios for the trades on site are being adhered to. The standard
journeyperson to apprentice ratio in Saskatchewan is one journeyperson
to two apprentices. There are variations for some trades, however, which
are outlined in Table Six (Section 33) of The Apprenticeship and Trade
Certification Regulations, 2003.
It’s worth noting that the vast majority of employers visited by SATCC
field consultants are in compliance with the ratios. As of June 30, 2019,
97.7 per cent of employers inspected by field staff adhered to the relevant
ratios for the trades on site.
If employers are not in compliance during the visit, the goal is to work
with them to achieve voluntary compliance. Several steps are taken before
formal consequences are pursued, giving employers the necessary time to
comply with the legislation.
At the end of June 2019, field staff visited nearly 5,500 work sites. Work
site visits aren’t only about regulation. Staff visit work sites to meet with
employers and apprentices for a variety of reasons – whether it be to work
with an employer to ensure apprentices are exposed to the full scope of the
trade; to meet with an apprentice to design a training plan to help them
be successful throughout their apprenticeship; to give an employer advice
on accommodating an apprentice with a disability; or to promote and explain
the apprenticeship system of training to an employer considering hiring
apprentices.
Field consultants contact employers in advance of some work site visits.
However, other visits – particularly those conducted for regulatory followup
purposes – are unannounced.
Work site visits help ensure the apprenticeship system of training remains
safe and effective.
If you have questions about the SATCC’s regulatory role, please
call 1-877-363-0536 or email apprenticeship@gov.sk.ca.
LISAFX/123RF
Regulating the Apprenticeship
System of Training
Facilitating successful training programs across the province
By Jeff Ritter, Saskatchewan Apprenticeship and Trade Certification Commission
SATCC staff
members visit job
sites to ensure
appropriate
on-the-job
apprenticeship
training is
taking place.
APPRENTICESHIP
50 | Quarter 1 2020 | saskheavy.ca
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