MHC’s dean of trades welcomes new broadened legislation
By KELLEN TANIGUCHI on April 21, 2021.
ktaniguchi@medicinehatnews.com@@kellentaniguchi The Alberta government tabled the Skilled Trades and Apprenticeship Education Act last week and a dean at Medicine Hat College says it’s a step in the right direction for both students and businesses. “In Alberta we have a strong apprenticeship system with 57 trades, but in Germany, with one of the world’s strongest economies, businesses and education work together in over 350 professions,” said Chad Flinn, dean of trades and technology at MHC in a news release. “It’s clear they have recognized the virtues of collaboration to help people prepare and succeed in their careers.” Flinn says growing Alberta’s approach to education with this act will benefit everyone, especially because of the COVID-19 pandemic. “The pandemic has illustrated just how fast businesses need to change to implement new practices and technology to remain competitive and profitable,” he said. “Training needs to be just as nimble, and we’re hoping the next approach will make it easier to align curriculum to the workplace.” If passed, the new act would replace the Apprenticeship and Industry Training Act, which was first introduced in 1991. The new legislation would allow some professions not currently considered a skilled trade to use apprenticeship programs, which include classroom instruction and hands-on job experience without requiring it become a designated trade. “We tend to use the word ‘apprenticeship’ quite narrowly and apply that approach to learning to skilled trades,” said Flinn. “In reality, many college programs provide education that integrate classroom and business experiences.” The new act would allow programs such as graphic design, coding and more to be taught through an apprenticeship model of learning. “In my school, programs like Built Environment Engineering Technology and Information Technology are deeply engaged with industry,” said Flinn. “We just use different words like ‘practicum’ or ‘internship’ to describe the experience. In the future, it may be that these career areas and many others will be developed within a broader apprenticeship model.” Flinn adds the way trades are taught in Canada by matching academic and skill development in the workplace is highly effective and there is strong employment, opportunity for entrepreneurship and good salaries because of it. 11-10
