Findings from CAF-FCA’s Employer Engagement Forums

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

This executive summary provides the highlights from the discussion results of the six pilot forms CAF-FCA held with employers from across Canada. For a more detailed summary of employers’ comments, readers are encouraged to examine the full report.CHALLENGES FOR EMPLOYERS

o Employers need to be able to recruit and retain highly skilled workers to address skill shortages and to maintain their productivity.
o There is a need to ask employers directly about their understanding of the business case for apprenticeship.
o A clearer understanding is needed of what information and supports will enhance employer participation.

PART OF THE SOLUTION: EMPLOYER ENGAGEMENT FORUMS

o To help address these challenges, Canadian Apprenticeship Forum-Forum canadien sur l’apprentissage (CAF-FCA) completed a national survey with employers that found apprenticeship training is a profitable investment. This study was entitled, “Apprenticeship – Building a skilled work force for a strong bottom line: Return on Apprenticeship Training Investment for Employers – A Study of 15 Trades” (ROTI study).
o Based on the findings of this study, CAFFCA then engaged employers in a dialogue about the business case for apprenticeship training.
o CAF-FCA held six pilot Employer Engagement Forums with a cross-section of industries in Burnaby, British Columbia (BC), London and Hamilton, Ontario (ON), St. John’s, Newfoundland (NFLD), Halifax, Nova Scotia, (NS), and Whitehorse, Yukon (YT).
o The purpose of the forums was to share and to discuss with employers CAF-FCA’s return on training investment data.
o The employers who participated in the forums represented a variety of trades and had a diverse set of experiences and opinions.
o Readers should note that this summary reflects the ideas, opinions, and perceptions of those who attended the forums, not of CAF-FCA or its partners.

MAIN FINDINGS FROM FORUMS

Employers’ understanding of the advantages of apprenticeship

Effective recruitment strategy
o Leads to higher retention rates and lower turn over.
o Gives a competitive advantage over nonparticipating organizations.

Two way skills development
o Mentoring apprentices renews and revitalizes journeypersons’ skills leading to greater productivity.

Higher quality work
o Helps to maintain high standards and quality on the job.
o Develops skills and competencies that meet industry standards and build quality products.

Increased productivity
o Trains apprentices in the company’s systems and work processes.

DOWNLOAD Findings from CAF-FCA’s Employer Engagement Forums Report.