Registered apprenticeship training programs

Registration in apprenticeship training programs hit another all-time high in 2002. Gains were posted in every major trade group, especially building construction trades, likely a reflection of a nation in the midst of a building boom.

A total of 234,460 people were registered in some form of training program, up 7.8% from 2001 and a 40.8% increase from 1996. It was the seventh consecutive annual increase.

The biggest annual enrolment increase occurred in the building construction trades group, which has rebounded substantially since 1997.

More than 50,000 people had enrolled as apprentices in building construction trades in 2002, almost identical to enrolment in metal fabricating programs. These two programs each accounted for 21.4% of all apprentices. Motor vehicle and heavy equipment followed closely with an enrolment of 46,130.

Canada was enjoying a building boom in 2002, especially in residential construction. Municipalities issued a record $45.9 billion in building permits in 2002, shattering the previous mark of $40.0 billion set in 1989.

The feverish demand right across the country for new housing was the cornerstone of this exceptional year. The value of residential permits totalled $29.0 billion in 2002, up 32.1% from 2001, fuelled by strong increases for both single- and multi-family dwellings.

On the other hand, fewer registered apprentices completed their training in 2002. Just under 16,500 apprentices received their certificates in 2002, down 9.7% from 2001. The most significant decline occurred in the food and services trades group, especially in Ontario.

Registrations up in every trade group

Registrations hit record highs in every major trade group in 2002.

Of the 16,900 additional students who enrolled in 2002, almost 80.0% were registered in four of the larger trade groups.

Building construction trades accounted for more than one-third of the increase, about 6,110, while electrical and electronics field accounted for just under one-fifth, or 3,270. Metal fabricating and motor vehicle and heavy equipment accounted for the remainder.

Since 1996, apprenticeship registrations have increased by 67,970. Again, metal fabricating and building construction led the way with gains well above the national average of 40.8%.

Again, economic conditions favoring a boom in housing construction may have been an important factor behind this increase.

Record high registrations in most provinces

Overall registrations in apprenticeship programs were up in nine provinces in 2002, with eight showing record highs.

Quebec registered the greatest annual increase (+15.7%), followed by Prince Edward Island (+14.8%) and Alberta (+10.0%). The only decline was in British Columbia, which experienced a small decrease (-1.7%) for the first time in seven years.

In British Columbia, enrolment declined in most trades, the most significant being an 8.2% drop in building construction, followed by decreases in two groups: motor vehicle and heavy equipment, and metal fabricating trades.

In the six-year period between 1996 and 2002, enrolment rose in all provinces and territories except the Northwest Territories. Noteworthy gains occurred in Manitoba, Alberta, Quebec, Saskatchewan and Newfoundland and Labrador.

Manitoba recorded significant gains in several trade groups. However, the largest occurred in the food and services trades, mainly because of the introduction in 1996 of apprenticeship programs in hair styling and aesthetics.

In Alberta, enrolment more than doubled in the electrical and electronics program, and nearly doubled in metal fabricating. This was largely related to apprenticeship increases in the construction electrician and plumber/gasfitter programs.

Major increases in Quebec occurred in the building construction trades, which almost doubled since 1996. Carpenter trades led the way with 5,560 additional apprentices.

Sudden decline in completions

The number of apprentices who received their certificates fell by about 1,770 between 2001 and 2002. This was the biggest decline since 1996.

Apprenticeship completions have remained relatively stable since 1996, except for a 12.8% gain in 1999. The number of completions in 2002 was only 2.5% higher than it was in 1996.

Completions fell in most major trade groups in 2002, especially in the food and service or trades, where the drop from 2001 was 25.0%. They declined 13.6% in motor vehicle and heavy equipment and 9.5% in industrial and related mechanical. Completions remained stable only in the electrical, electronics and related trades group.

Provincially, the biggest one-year decline occurred in Ontario, where the number of people receiving certificates plunged by 2,160, or 34.1%, in 2002. This contributed significantly to the overall decline across Canada.

Completions also fell in Newfoundland and Labrador, British Columbia and Nunavut.

In the other provinces, completions were stable or on the raise. Saskatchewan (+16.0%) registered the biggest gain, followed by Nova Scotia, Manitoba, Prince Edward Island, the Yukon and the Northwest Territories. Completions in Quebec and New Brunswick remained stable.

Several factors affect the ability of registered apprentices to complete their training, including the duration of the program and the ability to maintain steady employment.

An important factor in Ontario was the raising of the passing mark on final examinations, from 60% to 70%, introduced in early 2002. This had a major impact on individuals' decision to write the final apprenticeship examinations, and on their success rate.

In addition, a two-month public service strike in Ontario in the spring of 2002 prevented a large number of apprentices from writing examinations.

Available on CANSIM: tables 477-0051 and 477-0052.

Definitions, data sources and methods: survey number 3154.

For general information, additional tables or to order data, contact Client Services (1-800-307-3382; 613-951-7608; fax: 613-951-9040; educationstats@statcan.gc.ca).

To enquire about the concepts, methods or data quality of this release, contact Karl Skof (613-951-1529; fax: 613-951-6567; karl.skof@statcan.gc.ca) or Sylvie Bonhomme (613-951-5366; fax: 613-951-6567; sylvie.bonhomme@statcan.gc.ca), Culture, Tourism and the Centre for Education Statistics.