GOVERNMENT’S ROLE
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Apprenticeship & Industry Training Sector – Alberta Enterprise and Advanced Education
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The Government of Alberta, through the Apprenticeship and Industry Training sector in the Department of Enterprise and Advanced Education, supports the apprenticeship and industry training system. The sector provides support to facilitate the development, maintenance and delivery of designated trade and occupation programs that:
- contribute to the development of a trained and skilled workforce to support the economic progress of the province and its competitive role in the global market, and
- are current with and respond to technological advancements and workplace needs.
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The Apprenticeship and Industry Training sector consists of:
Most staff are located in Edmonton. Client Services staff are located in Edmonton and around the province.
Click here to view the sector organization chart.
The Executive Director
- works closely with the Board and industry to meet industry’s needs for training and certification in designated trades and occupations:
- advises the Minister on matters related to apprenticeship and industry training:
- is responsible for all aspects of the administration and operation of the apprenticeship and industry training system and the Apprenticeship and Industry Training sector within Community, Learner and Industry Connections, Enterprise and Advanced Education: and
- represents Alberta on the Canadian Council of Directors of Apprenticeship.
The Canadian Council of Directors of Apprenticeship (CCDA) provides facilitation in the development of common training and certification standards across Canada providing for inter-provincial mobility of workers in designated trades and occupations.
The Executive Director’s office leads and coordinates sector human resource issues and staffing, and provides financial administration for the sector.
The Program Compliance and Investigations unit of the Learner Assistance branch of the Community, Learner and Industry Connections division reports to the Executive Director with respect to matters related to investigations and compliance with the Apprenticeship and Industry Training Act and regulations. This unit:
- conducts investigations related to matters such as individuals working in trades without the required authority to do so, contraventions of compliance orders and court orders, provision of false information, theft of examinations, fraudulent certificates, etc.; and
- works with Alberta Justice prosecutors to assist in the prosecution of offences under the Apprenticeship and Industry Training Act, the Criminal Code (Canada), and other legislation as applicable.
Technical Training and Certification
The Technical Training and Certification branch, in consultation with apprenticeship and industry technical training providers, and departmental and sectoral key areas:
- forecasts training needs and works collaboratively with institutions to coordinate the delivery of the technical training component of apprenticeship training and alternate delivery of technical training; and
- ensures industry standards are met and issues trade and occupational certificates, Interprovincial Standards Red Seal endorsements and Achievement in Business Competencies (Blue Seal) Program certificates.
Business Integration
The Business Integration branch, in collaboration with the Ministry’s information technology representatives and contracted service providers, is responsible for business leadership in the coordination and integration of a wide range of information and technology activities related to the business within Apprenticeship and Industry Training. This includes:
- the design, evaluation and integration of effective information systems and services, using information technology for client service advantage, and
- the provision and integration of internal and external information and data.
Examples of the information and technology activities include: the Apprenticeship, Trade and Occupation Management System (ATOMS), examination management, AIT Data Mart, internal and external websites, internal and external share point sites, AIT e-Encyclopedia and appropriate training and help desk support for the related activities.
Client Services (North and South Regions)
Client Services is the delivery arm for the apprenticeship and industry training system. It is divided into two regions. The north region has eight offices in various locations in the northern portion of the province above Wetaskiwin while the south region has four offices in various locations covering Red Deer and the southern portion of the province.
The Client Services branch:
- registers apprentices and other individuals pursuing certification in designated trades and occupations;
- monitors workplace training of apprentices and counsels employers and apprentices on various aspects of the apprenticeship and industry training system;
- administers and invigilates industry assessments;
- provides support to the industry committee network
- provides support to Albertans, Canadians, permanent residents and immigrants pursuing alternative routes to trade certification;
- provides support to Aboriginal people to enter and complete apprenticeship programs through the Alberta Aboriginal Apprenticeship Initiative; and
- monitors the workplace for compliance with the Apprenticeship and Industry Training Act and regulations.
Industry Programs and Standards
The Industry Programs and Standards branch:
- works with industry representatives to develop and maintain Alberta’s industry training and certification standards, including course outlines, competency profiles and assessments, in trades and occupations;
- researches and develops alternatives for trades training delivery;
- provides support to the industry committee network;
- facilitates the development, maintenance and distribution of Individual Learning Modules (ILMs) (self-contained modularized learning material) for the apprenticeship technical training curriculum of trades;
- provides services related to the administration of Interprovincial Standards Red Seal programs;
- coordinates apprenticeship and industry training activities related to Skills Canada initiatives;
- collaborates with industry and organizations to help meet changing labour market demands, for example, emerging trades and occupations; and
- works with industry and other organizations on the resolution of a spectrum of apprenticeship training and trade and occupational standard-related matters.
International and Provincial Assessment Services
The International and Provincial Assessment Services branch:
- provides consultative and assessment services to Albertans and potential temporary foreign workers pursuing certification through the Qualification Certificate Program;
- provides services related to international marketing and the administration of interprovincial programs;
- collaborates with industry and organizations to help meet changing labour market demands, for example, authorizations for the Alberta Council of Turnaround Industry Maintenance Stakeholders (ACTIMS); and
- works with other departments and governments on a broad spectrum of training-, assessment- and certification-related matters, including the Youth Apprenticeship Program (YAP), and matters related to temporary foreign workers and the Alberta Immigrant Nominee Program.
Policy, Research and Board Support
The Policy, Research and Board Support branch:
- provides research, policy and legislative support to the Board, the industry committee network, the minister, the deputy minister and sector staff;
- coordinates or develops information sharing processes to ensure timely communication and implementation of changes to policy and legislation;
- provides governance and administrative support to the Board, its standing committees and to the industry committee network;
- works with the Board, in collaboration with industry and learning stakeholders, to promote participation in the apprenticeship and industry training system, including increasing awareness and participation of Aboriginal people in apprenticeship and industry training;
- works with industry and the Board to develop and manage the Alberta Apprenticeship and Industry Training Board Family of Scholarships program, and facilitate the Board’s annual awards events;
- supports the apprenticeship and industry training system in the areas of appeals and authorizations under the Apprenticeship and Industry Training Act;
- acts as a liaison with Alberta Justice with respect to obtaining court orders under section 53 of the Apprenticeship and Industry Training Act;and
- measures the performance of the apprenticeship and industry training system and reports results for continuous improvement.
Apprenticeship and Industry Training Sector Organization Chart
