Apprenticeship doesn’t have to be complicated. Once you’ve recruited and hired your apprentice, follow these 6 steps to success.
STEP 1: Workplace Orientation & Training Plan
As an employer, you need to create a workplace environment that will help your apprentice succeed.
You must orient your apprentice to the workplace and the trade.
You are responsible for ensuring that your apprentice:
- Has proper equipment and understands the safety standards of your workplace.
- Is clear on which certified journey person (or equivalent) is responsible for their work-based training.
- Receives work-based training that incorporates the full scope of the trade. Training can take place at multiple work sites, if required.
The employer sponsor, supervising journeyperson and the apprentice all need to be fully familiar with the competencies your apprentice should be learning. You need to work together to create a Training Plan.
Here’s how to create a Training Plan:
- Go to Trade Programs and select your trade. Then click on the Program Outline. Use this information to create a structured training plan.
- Read the Employer Toolkit. It’s a handy tool to help you develop your training and monitoring plan.
STEP 2: Registration
Both the employer sponsor and apprentice need to register with ITA. You will generally do this at the same time, and it’s important to do it as soon as possible to activate the apprenticeship.
Here’s how to Register an Apprenticeship:
- On-Line (Direct Access). Log in to create your personal ITA account. All you need is:
- Your company information, including mailing and e-mail address. All communication from ITA is sent to you by e-mail.
- Information about your apprentice, including legal name, address, birth date, etc.
- The contact information for the individual(s) who will report information to ITA such as apprentice work based training hours.
OR: Download and print a Registration Form - Both the employer sponsor and the apprentice must complete and sign the form.
- If you are already registered as a sponsor, record your ITA Sponsor Number on the form. If this is your first time as a sponsor, leave it blank and ITA will assign you a number.
- Email, fax or mail the completed Registration Form to ITA Customer Service. The contact information is on the form.
You can expect a confirmation of the registration from ITA in about 10 days.
Remember to contact us if you change your address or contact information.
STEP 3: Track & Report Work-Based Training Hours
The employer sponsor and apprentice are jointly responsible for managing progress towards completion of the apprenticeship. As an employer sponsor, you need to track your apprentice’s hours and report them to ITA regularly.
Your apprentice’s program will require a set amount of work-based training hours – about 80% of their total apprenticeship.
About work-based training hours:
- One hour on the job = one hour of work-based training.
- Your apprentice may accumulate work-based training hours while working for your and/or for another employer.
- Work-based training hours must be completed under the direct supervision of a certified or ITA- approved tradesperson and be approved by the employer sponsor.
Here’s how to track and report work-based training hours:
- On-line: Log in
- OR Complete the Work-based Training Hours Report and make sure the employer sponsor has signed it.
Paper version: Download the Work-based Training Hours Report, complete and e-mail, fax or mail it to ITA Customer Service.
STEP 4: Review & Confirm Documentation
As an employer sponsor, you are responsible for reviewing your apprentice’s official records and reporting any discrepancies to ITA.
ITA will send updated apprentice training transcripts to both employer sponsors and apprentices when:
- The apprentice completes a level of technical training.
- The apprentice writes a technical training level exam on a challenge basis.
- The apprentice or employer sponsor notifies ITA that a sponsorship has been changed.
- The apprentice “times out” of a youth apprenticeship.
- If there is no activity reported for on an apprentice for 12 months.
Here’s how to review and confirm documentation:
- Carefully review all transcripts and documentation from ITA.
- Report any discrepancies to ITA.
STEP 5: Technical Training Release Time
About 20% of your apprentice’s time will be spent in technical (classroom) training. Technical training includes both theoretical and practical assessments. Apprentices must achieve an overall score of 70% to pass and get a credit for each level of technical training.
As an employer, you are required to make it possible for your apprentice to take technical training. This may include releasing your apprentice from work for the duration of the technical class. Talk to your apprentice early on, and work together to determine the best options for training times, to meet your business needs and allow your apprentice to get the required training.
The first technical training is generally scheduled one year after registering as an apprentice. If your apprentice has been working in the trade for some time, a shorter interval may be appropriate.
Classes fill up quickly, so encourage your apprentice to register well in advance.
ITA only grants course credits for technical training from Recognized Training Providers. Check to make sure your apprentice registers for training with an ITA Recognized Training Provider.
STEP 6: Recommend Certification
As an employer sponsor, you are responsible for deciding whether or not to recommend your apprentice for certification.
Once your apprentice has completed all work-based training, technical training and other program requirements, and has passed the relevant certification exam, ITA will send you a Recommendation for Certification form. By completing this form, you are attesting that it is the judgment of a certified tradesperson or someone who has applied and been granted Sign Off Authority by ITA that your apprentice is now working at the skill level of a certified tradesperson.
When ITA receives your positive recommendation, they will issue the trade certificate and send it to you to sign and present to your apprentice.
ITA maintains a permanent record of all certifications.
If you decide not to recommend your apprentice for certification:
- You must provide ITA with the reasons and a training plan to remedy skill and knowledge deficiencies. You must also suggest a date for ITA to send another Recommendation for Certification form.
- You are also responsible for communicating with your apprentice about your decision and plan.