APPRENTICESHIP AAPI PERXEPNL TAIICNEESDH I P
Photo courtesy of Tec-Voc High School
W ith a growing number of construction projects on the horizon in Manitoba, demand for skilled work- ers is rising. But labour shortages and challenges in attracting and training young people for careers in the trades continue to strain the industry. Some experts warn that constraints within the apprentice- ship system could widen the gap. “There's a couple things that we keep an eye on,” says Darryl Harrison of the Winnipeg Construction Association. “One is labour demand. We also keep an eye on the number of people leaving the workforce due to retirement — and how quickly can we bring new people into the industry, train them up and get them ready to go.” Following recent changes to provincial apprenticeship ratios, Harrison says fewer people are entering apprenticeships now than two years ago. Apprenticeship-to-journeyperson ratios exist to support safe, high-qual- ity training for workers. The current apprentice-to-journeyperson ratio limits each journeyperson to supervis- ing one apprentice at a time. Prior to October 2024, the ratio was 2:1.
“The result has been less oppor- tunities for people to enter an apprenticeship,” Harrison says. “The ratio change is particularly impactful in rural areas in Manitoba, where there may not be many journeypersons to work under. It means that it will take longer for some apprentices to get the hours that they need to progress The 1:1 apprentice-to- journeyperson ratio determines how many apprentices a single journeyperson can mentor. through their apprenticeship.” Manitoba is an outlier in Canada, where most provinces have ratios of at least 2:1, he adds. Timely access to training is another key factor to addressing the province’s skilled workforce shortage. While Harrison says there is no single solu- tion, he believes improvements can be made to ensure training is available at the right time and at the right level for employees and apprentices.
13 SUMMER 2026
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