OACC talks apprenticeships with PC Critic

Members of OACC’s board along with Government Relations Consultant John Nunziata invited MPP Bob Bailey for a tour of Pre-apprenticeship Training Institute in Toronto on July 19.

Mr Bailey, the PC Critic for Training and Apprenticeships, took time from his busy schedule to tour the Kodiak Crescent facility where he looked at ongoing projects by the students. Electrical, plumbing, wiring, pipefitting and more were on display for the MPP’s visit. Bailey took a few minutes to speak to students about the Ontario Progressive Conservative party including its plan for apprenticeships, education and jobs for the coming election. Bailey spoke about his experience working in the trades and showed a short clip of himself addressing Premier Dalton McGuinty at Queen’s Park. Bailey asked the Premier to change “Ontario’s antiquated, restrictive ratio of 3 journeypersons to 1 apprentice,” which is currently the highest ratio in the country.

Bailey took the time to shake each student’s hand before moving on to a meeting with OACC representatives, industry representatives and Nunziata.

OACC spoke to Mr Bailey about a few issues concerning the sector including apprenticeship ratios, creation of the College of Trade with no place for Career College representation as well as ensuring all stakeholders are consulted with changes to the apprenticeship model in Ontario.

Private career colleges, Bailey learned, play an important part in the training of tradespeople in Ontario and give a significant contribution to the skilled workforce of the province.



OACC Government Relations Consultant John Nunziata (Left) and Pre-Apprenticeship Training Institute owner Rui Cunha (centre) give MPP Bob Bailey a tour of the college. Bailey is the PC critic for Training and Apprenticeships.



MPP Bob Bailey (foreground) speaks to students at the Pre-Apprenticeship Training Instiute on July 19, 2011.