INDUSTRY COMMITTEES

Key decisions about training and certification in the designated trades and occupations start with industry – Local and Provincial Apprenticeship Committees for the trades, Occupational Committees, and Provisional Committees.

These committees advise the Alberta Apprenticeship and Industry Training Board about specific improvements to trades and occupation standards, apprenticeship training and delivery, course content, examinations and more.

Trade Committees

Local Apprenticeship Committees (LACs)

LACs are the ‘grassroots’ of the apprenticeship and industry training system for their trade. They stay in touch with local activities and provide local information to their trade’s Provincial Apprenticeship Committee (PAC).

Wherever there is activity in a designated trade, the Apprenticeship and Industry Training Board may set up a LAC. The Board appoints equal numbers of employees and employers for terms of up to three years. The Committee appoints its presiding officer. A government employee acts as secretary to the committee.

Responsibilities of LACs include:

monitoring the apprenticeship system and the progress of apprentices in their trade at the local level
making recommendations to their trade’s PAC regarding apprenticeship training and certification
making recommendations to the Board regarding appointment of members to their trade’s PAC
helping to settle disputes between apprentices and their employers in matters relating to the Apprenticeship and Industry Training Act

Provincial Apprenticeship Committees (PACs)

PACs are the link between the LACs and the Apprenticeship and Industry Training Board. They are responsible for making recommendations to the Board about training and certification requirements and standards for their trade.

The Board establishes a PAC for each trade and, based on committee recommendations, appoints a presiding officer, and equal numbers of employees and employers for terms of up to three years. Most PACs have nine members. A government employee acts as secretary to each PAC.

Responsibilities of PACs include:

making recommendations to the Board regarding apprenticeship training and certification
monitoring the Local Apprenticeship Committees in their trade
identifying the training needs and content for their trade
determining if programs and courses provided outside apprenticeship are equivalent to an Alberta apprenticeship program
helping to settle disputes between apprentices and their employers in matters relating to the Apprenticeship and Industry Training Act

Occupational Committees

Occupational Committees are the ‘grassroots’ for their occupation. They make recommendations to the Apprenticeship and Industry Training Board on any matter concerning training and certification in their occupation.

The Board may establish an Occupational Committee for each designated occupation and, based on committee recommendations, appoints a presiding officer, and equal numbers of employees and employers for terms of up to three years. An Occupational Committee has a minimum of three members. A government employee acts as secretary to each committee.

Responsibilities of Occupational Committees include:

making recommendations to the Board about any matters relating to training and certification in their occupation
monitoring training programs, work experience programs, and the progress of trainees

Provisional Committees

Provisional Committees are established before the designation of a new trade or occupation comes into effect. They review an application for designation and provide advice to the Apprenticeship and Industry Training Board about the proposed designation, and about the implementation of the trade or occupation.

A Provisional Committee usually consists of a presiding officer, and equal numbers of employers and employees. A government employee acts as secretary to each committee.

How employers and employees get involved

Alberta’s apprenticeship and industry training system needs people who know their trade or occupation, and what’s best for it – people who want to give something back to the career in which that take such pride.

The system needs employers and employees who are proud of their trade or occupation. It needs people who want training and certification in their trade or occupation to not only keep pace with the times, but also to grow and become even better with time.

To start the process of becoming involved in Alberta’s apprenticeship and industry training system, complete a membership application or contact a field representative at an Apprenticeship and Industry Training Office.