Skilled trade graduates want change to apprenticeship ratios

A local graduate is speaking out about her struggles finding an apprenticeship. CTV Windsor's Stefanie Masotti has the details.

Some skilled trades graduates say they struggle to lock down registered apprenticeships, a mandatory requirement to become a licensed skilled trades worker.

“I’m at a standstill. I’m on pause,” said Emma Al-Tamimi, a graduated of the Electrical Techniques program at St. Clair College. “I called hundreds. They’re all ‘sorry, we’re not hiring.’”

Al-Tamimi also applied to the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) Local 773, the union which represents local electricians.

“We received 506 applicants and took 34,” said Karl Lovett, Business Manager, IBEW 773.

Under the Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development, to become a licenced electrician, you must complete 9,000 hours as a registered apprentice. The current ratio of journeypersons to apprentices for electricians is generally a 1:1 ratio.

“Apprenticeship is that’s the ticket that you need,” Jake Keyeux, an apprentice working on his hours, under his dad, a master electrician. “You can go do, the electrical techniques program and leave there, but still not have anything tangible.”

Al-Tamimi says Ontario needs to look at provinces like British Columbia and Alberta which allows one journeyperson electrician to supervise two apprentices at a time.

“We need to change the how the system works,” she added.

The Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development, did not provide a comment upon request.

“There’s a lot of work the government needs to do,” said Lisa Gretzky, Windsor-West MPP. “Any changes must be done, hand in hand, with electricians. They know what the workload is like. They know the time and attention they need for each apprentice.”

Jeff Keyeux, master electrician, licenced electrical contractor, small business owner and former part time teacher at St. Clair College is ready to partake in those conversations.

“I’m 60 years old. I’m getting out of here soon. Who’s going to replace me when I go?”