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Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities

McGuinty Government to Review Whether to Expand Compulsory Certification in Skilled Trades


    Safety, Consumer Protection and Economic Impact to be Addressed by Trades
    Review

    TORONTO, May 16 /CNW/ - The Ontario government will review whether to
expand compulsory certification for skilled trades, Chris Bentley, Minister of
Training, Colleges and Universities said today.
    "The McGuinty government has made great progress in expanding Ontario's
apprenticeship system, but there is more to do," Bentley said. "We want to
make sure our apprenticeship system continues to meet proper safety standards,
provides value to consumers, and serves the needs of our growing economy.
That's why we're taking a look at compulsory certification."
    "Very few trades have been made compulsory over the past several
decades," Bentley added. "The question is: should more trades be made
compulsory? What are the issues and considerations?"
    In Ontario, skilled trade qualifications can be classified as either
compulsory or voluntary. Voluntary trade qualifications allow individual
employers, workers and consumers to determine the level of training required
to do specific work. Compulsory trade qualifications require that all work in
the trade must be performed by a fully certified skilled tradesperson or a
registered apprentice. Of the 140 skilled trades that currently offer
apprenticeship training in Ontario, 21 require compulsory certification.
    The ministry will review the impact of expanding compulsory certification
for trades that are currently voluntary, with reference to the following
considerations:

    <<
    -   Health and safety
    -   The registration of new apprentices
    -   The number of apprentices who complete trades training
    -   Consumer protection, and
    -   Economic impact

    A report will be submitted to the Minister within six months of the
appointment of the review's chairperson.

    Disponible en français

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    >>

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For further information: Sheamus Murphy, Minister's Office, (416)
325-7215; Tanya Blazina, Communications Branch, (416) 325-2746; Public
Inquiries: (416) 325-2929 or 1-800-387-5514, TTY: 1-800-263-2892

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