CAW Wins BC Apprenticeship Award PDF Print E-mail
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CAW Wins BC Apprenticeship Award
An apprenticeship and pre-apprenticeship trades program created by CAW Local 2200 and

the Coast Mountain Bus Company in Metro Vancouver has won an innovation award conducted through the B.C. Industry Training Authority (ITA)

The union and company have developed a training model that provides broad based opportunities for young, pre-apprenticeship students as well as apprentices. The program means students are hired from college entry-level trades training programs and then are prepared to become apprentice commercial transport mechanics - these apprenticeships follow CAW apprenticeship guidelines

 

 

The program which started three years ago brings in 9 to 12 pre-apprentices a year who after about six months can move into apprenticeships in the trade

 

Joe Elworthy, president of CAW Local 2200, which represents bus company skilled trades
employees, said some members were reluctant when the idea for the program was broached

 

“When it comes to training and apprenticeships, the union and the company have the same
goal – we all want good-quality people and to pass on information and expertise,” Elworthy told the Vancouver Province newspaper

 

Colin Heslop, CAW director of skilled trades, said this kind of co-operative program between
industry, labour and the government creates benefits for all including good bona fide apprenticeship opportunities

 

“This award is in recognition of the good work by CAW Local 2200 and what the CAW is
doing in the skilled trades in British Columbia and right across Canada,” Heslop said.