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C E O M E S S A G E

S P O T L I G H T

ITA. Your Ticket to Empowerment

Discouraged by her first experi-ence, Jordan was ready to throwin the towel but her uncle encour-aged her to not give up. So withthe help of her band, the CarcrossTagish First Nation, and with sup-port paid through ITA’s Womenin Trades Training (WITT) initia-tive, Jordan was able to fully focuson starting her Welding Level Bcertification at UAPICBC.

With the right mentors andsupport, Jordan was able to putthe discrimination behind her, gether education, and put herselfin a place of empowerment.“Seeing that I could do all of theassignments and the homeworkshowed me that I do have the

skills I need and helped me gainmy confidence back,” says Jordan.Now Jordan is empowering otherwomen to do the same by lead-ing by example. “I really believethat women are an untappedresource. They have a lot to offer,”says Jordan, and she’s right.Women hold the ability to in-crease the pool of qualified can-didates and help fill the loomingskills gap in BC.

• To watch more of Jordan’s storyand get inspired, CLICK HERE

• To see if you’re eligible for fund-ing, check out the Women inTrades Training initiative orthe Aboriginal People in TradesTraining initiative.

Jordan Atlin’s journey into thetrades did not come withoutchallenges, but the right supportand encouragement through theIndustry Training Authority (ITA)and UA Piping Industry College ofBC (UAPICBC), empowered Jordanto become the person she alwayswanted to be.

Not unlike most high schoolgraduates, Jordan was initiallyunsure of which career path totake. She eventually landed onWelding, the profession heruncle has been in for over 30years, and she completed herWelding Level C certification.However, Jordan’s first job wasnot what she was hoping for.She faced daily resistance forbeing one of the few females onsite, and also because of herFirst Nations heritage. “I met alot of resistance from the oldercrowd that had been doing thisfor years and years. I think theymight have been worried that Iwouldn’t keep the integrity ofthe trade intact,” says Jordan.

The right skills, the right place, the right timeIt truly is an exciting time for the trades in British Columbia. The independent mandate review has now beenreleased and the Industry Training Authority (ITA) welcomes the 29 recommendations made. We are excitedfor the opportunity to further strengthen skilled trades training in BC. We will strive for increased collabora-tion and coordination within a unified cross-systems approach with employers, labour, both the K–12 andpost-secondary system, government, and other stakeholders to build a seamless, outcome-oriented systemthat will ensure British Columbians have the skills to be the first in line for jobs in our growing economy.

Our first step is creating a strategic 90-day transition plan that will inform how recommendations willunfold over the coming months. Some of our key priorities include:

• Establishing Sector Advisory Councils to increase the direct role of industry in planning and decision making

• Building the Apprenticeship Advisor network in BC by adding more Advisors …continued/2

I N T H I S I S S U E

ITA’s new ApprenticeshipAdvisors have arrived

Employer Profile

Trading StoriesCelebrating Five years

Mentorship: a glimpse oflife in the skilled trades

Certificate andProgram Updates

Calling all Instagram Users

Youth: What are you made of?

Building inspiring futures

Leveling the Playing Field:Supporting BC’s Tradeswomen

Question of the Quarter

Jordan Atlin with her instructor, Merv Kube, from UAPICBC

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ITA is always striving to ensure that British Columbia has the rightskills, in the right place, at the right time in order to build a work forcethat can meet the demand for skilled tradespeople in the comingdecade. As a result of an in-depth province-wide consultation intoapprenticeship supports in early 2013, ITA identified four priorityareas to help overcome key barriers for apprenticeship continuation:

• Building knowledge of the BC apprenticeship system

• Advising apprentices and sponsors

• Boosting apprentice success

• Supporting apprentice and sponsor connections

To address these needs, ITA established a community-based Appren-ticeship Advisor initiative which is now successfully up and runningin four regions around the province: Kelowna, Nanaimo, Terrace, andPrince George. Meet & Greet sessions were held in all four regionswith a total of over 300 local tradespeople, employers and otherstakeholders coming out to hear from their local Advisor on whatsupport they will be bringing to the region.

ITA will work towards adding 11 additional Apprenticeship Advisorsacross BC by the end of 2014. The Apprenticeship Advisors are anextension of ITA’s Customer Support team, and their primary role isto help build knowledge and awareness of the BC apprenticeship sys-tem, and provide guidance to apprentices and employer sponsors.

• To learn more about Apprenticeship Advisors and what supportsare available in your region, CLICK HERE

ITA’s regional Apprenticeship Advisors have arrived I N T H E N E W S

The right skills, the right place, the right time from /1

• Pursuing liquefied natural gas (LNG) opportunities to create jobsand boost our economy

• Working with Advanced Education (AVED) and Ministry of Education(EDUC) to coordinate demand-driven training delivery funding

• Improving the culture of trades and bridging the gap into trainingand employment for youth

As reinforced by the review and the new Skills for Jobs Blueprint,ITA will continue to focus efforts on educating BC’s youth on theopportunities that exist within the trades. Our goal is to help makethe process as simple as possible by providing support right from thestart all the way to certification, including the following initiatives:

• A new ITA youth website that helps youth explore the trades byfirst thinking about what they are made of. We know that manyyouth don’t know what they want to do when they graduate, butif they can simply identify a few traits and attributes about them-selves, the interactive website can provide insight and inspirationinto potential career choices.

• The Mentorship Project— a new program that helps nurture andequip young apprentices as they continue through the system.The program provides both Mentors and Mentees the trainingand opportunity to further their career in the trades. Mentees willreceive the support, knowledge and confidence to be able to moveahead with their career in trades while Mentors learn more abouthow to lead and guide junior apprentices.

• A network of regional Apprenticeship Advisors to provide ongoingsupport and guidance throughout the entire apprenticeship journey.

We look forward to implementing the recommendations and buildingnew programs which will enable us to do our part in ensuring BritishColumbia has the right skills, in the right place, at the right time.

Gary Herman, Interim Chief Executive Officer

• To view the full independentreview report CLICK HERE

New name!Welcome to the first edition of Trades Talk: Your Ticket. Your Stories.As part of our renewed focus and mandate, we want to ensure weare reaching you, our stakeholders, with a relevant and timelynewsletter. In the coming months, we will be making changesto serve you better. If you have feedback on the newsletter, anyarticle, or ideas for future stories, please contact Trades Talk attradestalk@itabc.ca

Prince George Apprenticeship Advisor, Walter Sorokovsky, left, talking with the local tradescommunity

Left to right, Nanaimo Apprenticeship Advisor, Doug Podetz with ITA Interim CEO, GaryHerman and Apprenticeship Advisor Manager, Rod Bianchini

Since its inception in 1999, NeutronFactory Works has been buildingmomentum in the trades commu-nity through its innovative andforward-thinking approach to busi-ness. The Delta-based contractingcompany maintains and installsequipment in manufacturing, pro-cessing and warehousing facilities.President and Co-founder, RickGibbs credits the success of thecompany to good leadershipwithin the organization as wellas fostering sustainability in theareas of resourcing, processingand education.

Gibbs’ leadership has helped tosteer Neutron Factory Worksto success through a flexible,sustainable and ethical approachwhich was recognized whenhe won the BCFPA LeadershipAward. Part of that leadership isrecognizing the value of hiringapprentices. “By hiring appren-tices, we ensure that our companyremains sustainable by avoidingsuccession issues,” says Rick.He also asserts that by hiring

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Trading Stories: CelebratingFive YearsSince 2009, through funding provided by the Canada-British ColumbiaLabour Market Agreement (LMA), the Industry Training Authority (ITA)has delivered targeted programs designed to increase the represen-tation of Aboriginal people, women, and immigrants in the skilledtrades. These targeted programs have helped to remove barriers forthose under-represented, as well as help BC establish itself as a centerof excellence for skilled labour in Canada.

Looking back over the last five years of funding, these programs havenot only generated great statistics but also amazing stories of thosewho have gone on to bigger and better things thanks to the supportthey received from ITA and LMA funded trades training programs.

• To learn more about the programs and the stories of those whohave benefitted by checking out the full 2009–2014 LMA SuccessReport — Trading Stories: Celebrating Five Years, CLICK HERE

Neutron Factory Works: Using leadership to fosterinnovation and sustainability

E M P L O Y E R P R O F I L E

apprentices the company willgrow naturally. “I’ve found thatif you can get good young peopleto work with you, they will attractother good young people,”says Rick.

Another key to Neutron’s successis their emphasis on training atevery level. This means ensur-ing apprentices and new hiresare equipped to work safely inthe many complex environmentsthey may face as well as givingapprentices the opportunity toshare their innovative knowledge

with everyone else. “Since wehave such a diverse group oftradespeople and employees,we hold a training night once amonth. Everyone gets a chanceto lead a session and everyonefrom the tradespeople, to thesales team, to the senior staffparticipates. This process allowsfor cross-training amongstapprentices and trades whichempowers employees to beknowledgeable about every facetof the company’s operations,”says Rick.

When asked what his advicewas for someone looking to getinto the trades, Rick suggests,“start by looking at the big pic-ture — learn as much as you canabout the world. This will helpyou learn who you are and whatyou care about. Then you candetermine where you fit withinthat picture.”

Neutron Factory Works is justone of the employers settingan excellent example in BC.

• To learn how to become anemployer sponsor, CLICK HERE

Mentorship: a glimpse of lifein the skilled trades for youthITA’s recently completed five-month pilot program called the Mentorship Project proved to be a great success. Local employers andITA certified journeypersons gave students a glimpse into a careerin the skilled trades. The program provided mentorship opportuni-ties to over 60 grade 12 students in Vancouver, North Okanagan/Shuswap and Terrace.

Terrace-based mentor, Travis Elwood, qualified Carpenter and Directorof Facilities Services at Coast Mountain School District, was proudto be part of this project. “The program gave me the opportunity toshare some of the lessons I learned the hard way, with appreciativeand interested kids. It was very rewarding” says Elwood.

This successful pilot program is a key part of ITA’s Kindergarten toCertification youth strategy which was developed from consultationswith over 950 stakeholders.

• To watch a video on the Mentorship Project, CLICK HERE

Rick Gibbs, President and Co-Founder Neutron Factory Works mentor training in action

Occupational Certificates UpdateThe BC Parks and Public Works Group (bcPPWG) and ITA are pleasedto announce an upcoming opportunity for BC parks and public worksemployees to earn a first-of-its-kind professional credential — a Parksand Public Works Operations Worker ITA Occupational Certificate.

The new program will allow challengers to earn an occupationalcertificate from ITA that formally recognizes their knowledge, skills,and experience through a four-part assessment process including aportfolio review, a written exam, a technical interview and a practicalassessment by an ITA-registered assessor.

This occupational certificate is the second of its kind with the firstbeing the Shipyard Labourer Occupational Certificate. This program iscurrently in the process of assessing the first group of applicants andsuccessful applicants who pass the assessment will be awarded theircertificate in June 2014.

British Columbia Recreation and Parks Association (BCRPA), a leaderin certification, will manage the assessments on behalf of the industry.Candidates interested in this certification can access the programand registration information at bcworks.ca/certify. The latest roundof assessments began in early May, 2014.

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U P D AT E S

Program Updates ITA recently issued these Official Program Standards Notifications(OPSNs) covering BC trades training. Changes specified in theseOPSNs should be read in conjunction with individual program profilesCLICK HERE

Changes were made to the following programs:

• Baker: Updated Program Outline READ MORE

• Boilermaker (Construction Boilermaker), Cabinet Maker (Joiner),Carpenter, Concrete Finisher (Cement Mason), Floor CoveringInstaller, Ironworker (Generalist): Launch of ITA Level ExaminationsREAD MORE

• Machinist & Metal Fabricator: Launch of Standardized Level ExamsJune, 2014 READ MORE

• Automotive Service Technician 1 and AST Foundation Program:The Launching of Online Examinations for Automotive ServiceTechnician 1 (AST 1) and AST Foundation Programs READ MORE

• Landscape Horticulturist: Change to ITA Standardized Level Examsin the Horticulture Technician Foundation Program READ MORE

• Heavy Mechanical Trades: Launch of the New Heavy MechanicalTrades Programs; Apprentice Transition Information; Red SealTrade Name Alignment READ MORE

• Production Horticulturist: Program Modifications and ITA Stan-dardized Level Exams READ MORE

CLICK HERE to check out these how-to videos to help manageyour apprenticeship or sponsorship through Direct Access.

Direct Access: How-to Videos

We want to see the BC tradespeople in action! We’ll be hosting a number of contests on Instagram over the next few months.Be sure to follow us @ITA_BC and watch our Facebook Page for updates and more information. Check out some of our winners:

Calling all Instagram Users!

Courtesy of @pitalefebvre Courtesy of @amandakoshi

A big thank you to BC’s 9000+ Employer SponsorsAs an Employer Sponsor, show off your sponsor status bydisplaying a “Proud Employer” icon at your office or on yourwebsite. You’ve earned it!

To order a decal, CLICK HEREWeb version download, CLICK HERE

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Ten new graduates of the Machinist Foundation Course were recentlyrecognized by the Aboriginal Community Career Employment ServicesSociety (ACCESS). The new graduating class was made up of bothaspiring tradesmen and tradeswomen, all of whom received supportfrom ACCESS. Participants were offered career support through theACCESS job coach and counselling team as well as funding from ITAfor lunches, tutoring, transportation and tools.These supports help participants stay thecourse, complete their foundation programsand set themselves up for success.

The program is so successful that 80% of thefoundation program participants successfullymake the transition from the classroom to theworksite as an apprentice. And already, two ofthe recent graduates have found employment!

The ACCESS Trades division’s mandate is toincrease Aboriginal representation in thelabour market and offer the urban AboriginalCommunity the opportunity to participate inskills upgrading and trades technical training

Building inspiring futures for Aboriginal men andwomen in the skilled trades

leading to long-term careers in the trades. They deliver an assort-ment of education, training, counselling, support and financialservices to help break down barriers to employment for theAboriginal community. Currently, ACCESS supports 403 apprenticesand journeypersons in 32 different trades.

• To learn more about ACCESS and the support provided, CLICK HERE

Searching for the right career for you? A new ITA tool can help pointyou in the right direction. Our new youth website allows you to pickup to 10 characteristics or words that best describe you and thenit suggests three possible trades that align with those attributes.

Check out the trades that come up for you and learn a little moreabout what you might do, who you might work for, and also whatyou could expect in terms of salary, hourly wage, average numberof working hours per week and where the most work is located.

If you’ve found a trade that you think you might like, check out thethree youth programs ITA offers (ACE IT, SSA and Yes 2 IT) that canhelp you get a head start on your career.

We ask Youth: What are you made of?

Heavy Duty Equipment Technician Construction Electrician

Aircraft Maintenance Technician

May 2014 Machinist Graduating Class

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?Question of the QuarterITA’s Trades Talk poses a question to readers each quarter, andpublishes responses in subsequent issues of Trades Talk. TheQuestion of the Quarter will also be posted on the ITA Facebook pageand responses are also welcomed there. Last quarter, we asked:What can be done to change negative perceptions of the trades?

Luc Ouellet, a secondary school career education teacher from Qualicum,gave us his thoughts on what should be done.

“Changing negative perceptions of the trades will require a concentratedeffort by multiple parties including government, industry, educators

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Trades Talk strives to reporton the issues and challengesthat matter to you. We wantto hear your solutions, bestpractices and success stories.

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and parents. It will also require directing more attention to studentsprior to graduation.

For many students their perception of the trades is formed by theirhigh school experience. Currently, high school programs are doing agood job of promoting the benefits of a university education to studentsand their parents, but it’s time to put trades training in the samepositive light.

The first step is to provide opportunities for high school students toexperience high-quality technical programs that incorporate modernmethodologies. This will allow students to properly explore the tradesand then ease their transition into these career options. By ensuringthat assigned tasks in shop class are comparable and relevant towork that will be done in the actual workplace, students will be ableto gain a realistic view of the career and make an informed choice.

Even though youth programs such as SSA and ACE IT exist, morecan be done to increase participation in these programs. KwalikumSecondary School’s Metal/Mechanics Co-op is one example of howa tangible and relevant experience eases the transition into tradestraining. In this case, 14 of the 20 participating students transitionedinto ACE IT or post-secondary technical studies programs.

Overall, we should look to other successful trades integration pro-grams for inspiration and guidance and aspire to educate our youthearlier about the benefits of entering a career in the trades.”

This quarter, we want to know:What are you made of? What skills do you possess that make thetrades the right fit for you?

Email your answers and comments to tradestalk@itabc.ca

It will take many hands to shape the future for women in the tradesin BC. That’s why in February 2014, ITA brought together 90 localtraining and service providers, tradespeople, and employers in a full-dayconference to discuss what can be done to increase female represen-tation in the trades. The Power Up Women in the Trades Conferencefeatured presentations from local tradeswomen, and panel discussionswith service providers, employers and stakeholders.

In addition, information collected from local consultation and thethree regional forum events that occurred in the fall of 2013 helpedinform and develop the first working draft of Leveling the Field: ABest Practices Guide to Employing Women in the Trades. As part of theconference, the Best Practices Guidewas presented and participantswere given the opportunity to provide further feedback.

The Best Practices Guide— a comprehensive document which notonly provides general information on the role of the employer forwomen in the trades but also very specific and tangible resourcessuch as checklists, reminders and tips all with the goal of armingemployers will the knowledge and tools they need to hire and retaintradeswomen.

• To read the full Best Practices Guide, CLICK HERE

• To watch more of the action from the conference, CLICK HERE

Leveling the Field:Supporting BC’s Tradeswomen

Left to right, Power Up Women in the Trades Conference Speakers: Kelly Kienleitner, CathyMinty, Mila Puharich, Mariegold Rondeau and Louisa Robinson