Letter to the Editor: Union training centres open to union and non-union affiliated apprentices

To the Editor:

Thank you for highlighting the apprenticeship system in a recent piece by Dr. Lindsay Langill.

We write to correct a piece of misinformation.

Dr. Langill writes that, “admissions to public training schools are open and available to any registered Canadian apprentice. However, union schools typically restrict admission to registered apprentices from their member companies.”

The second sentence is untrue.

Our union training centres receive partial funding from the Industry Training Authority (ITA) to deliver Red Seal programming, and as such, enrolment in these programs is open to all apprenticing trades workers. This includes both union and non-union affiliated apprentices.

Indeed, our training centres that offer apprenticeship programs have been designated as training providers by the ITA.

Jud Martell
Chairperson
BC Building Trades Apprenticeship Committee