Supporting apprentices and trade qualifiers in their certification journey is a central mandate of the Saskatchewan Apprenticeship and Trade Certification Commission (SATCC). In response to declining Red Seal exam pass rates, the SATCC has developed a strategy to increase support for apprentices struggling to advance in their education.

“We want apprentices to succeed,” SATCC Chief Operating Officer Dave Peters says. “We want to support them in their certification journey however we can, and this strategy opens up a lot of opportunities for that support.”

The Apprentice Success Enhancement Strategy (ASES) aims to expand the supports the SATCC provides apprentices and trade qualifiers to help them successfully certify. The ASES is built around three components: early intervention; customized learning plans; and training oversight.

The SATCC has already begun work to enhance strategies for early intervention, aiming to identify learning gaps earlier in an apprentice’s training and provide support. The SATCC has hired two Learning Strategists to guide this work. These positions work with apprentices who may struggle with their learning, helping to identify any barriers to achieving certification, including essential skills gaps, learning disabilities, sensory disabilities, study skills and exam anxiety.

MyATC, the SATCC’s client facing IT system launched in January 2022, will also help in this area. By leveraging the system, the SATCC can better identify, through an apprentice’s progress and results, apprentices who may need support or be eligible for a learning assessment.

Once identified through early interventions, the SATCC will work with apprentices needing support to develop customized learning plans. These plans will be specific to the barriers and learning gaps that apprentices are experiencing. Apprentices will have access to courses, upgrader training, tutors, as well as examination readiness and preparation materials focused on assisting them in the areas they may struggle in.

To ensure apprentices are aware of the supports available, the SATCC has also added two Apprenticeship Training Consultant positions to its staff. These positions visit apprenticeship classrooms to create awareness of learning resources and aids available for all apprentices.

The third component of the ASES, and an ongoing project at the SATCC, is enhanced training oversight for both on-the-job and technical training. The SATCC continually reviews curriculum materials and assessments used in technical training within each of the designated trades. These reviews ensure that technical training is properly preparing apprentices for their certification examinations. The SATCC also continues to work closely with Trade Boards and Curriculum and Exam Development Boards to ensure training is consistent with what is needed for apprentices’ success.

“We’re hoping to give apprentices the best chance of success possible,” says Peters. “We’re excited to see this strategy through and hope to see the positive impact on our apprentices in the near future.”