The Manitoba government will reinstate a 1:1 apprentice-to-journeyperson ratio and introduce several updates to its apprenticeship training programs, a move aimed at improving safety and training quality for workers, according to Economic Development, Investment, Trade and Natural Resources Minister Jamie Moses. The changes will come into effect on October 30.
“Restoring the 1:1 ratio supports safe and higher quality training for workers,” Moses said. “All Manitobans deserve to come home safely at the end of their workday.”
The changes reverse a policy introduced by the previous government that allowed one journeyperson to supervise two apprentices, which critics said compromised worker safety. The 1:1 ratio was first implemented following the 1999 death of Michael Skanderberg, a young worker who was killed while working unsupervised.
“I applaud the Manitoba government for restoring the 1:1 apprentice-to-journeyperson ratio,” said Cindy Skanderberg, Michael’s mother. “This will save lives.”
The new regulations also aim to modernize apprenticeship programs by reducing administrative burdens and enhancing Manitoba’s competitiveness in the skilled trades. According to Moses, the government plans to create 10,000 skilled labour jobs and has committed to reviewing the operations of Apprenticeship Manitoba for further modernization.
Apprentices currently working under existing agreements where journeypersons supervise more than one apprentice will be allowed to continue, provided certain conditions are met, including demonstrated progress by the apprentices. However, the new rules will prevent journeypersons from taking on additional apprentices beyond what is allowed under their current agreements.
Tanya Palson, executive director of Manitoba Building Trades, welcomed the changes. “This change will help young Manitobans feel sure that when they enter the training program, they are supported to completion so that they can build their careers and support their families here at home,” she said.
The move has also been supported by trade unions. Dave McPhail, business manager of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) 2085, said that restoring the 1:1 ratio is essential for trades like electricians, where proper supervision is critical for safety.
“A modernized and responsive apprenticeship training and certification system is good for workers, grows industry, and moves our province forward,” said Moses.
Stakeholder consultations on further improvements to the apprenticeship system are expected to begin next month.
For more information on Manitoba’s apprenticeship and certification system and recent regulatory updates, visit www.gov.mb.ca/aesi/apprenticeship/index.html.