Accessing Our Reports
Research reports and other resources in this section are available either as free content or for purchase. Members should download member-only content using their user credentials. If you are a non-member interested in purchasing content, please contact us at info@caf-fca.org.
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Most Recent Reports
2020 Results Report
Highlights of the Canadian Apprenticeship Forum’s work over the last year.
National Strategy for Supporting Women in the Trades
In 2019, CAF-FCA assembled and led a task force of more than 60 skilled trades stakeholders to guide and inform a strategy to create measurable change for women’s representation in skilled trades careers in Canada. The Strategy and related activities are intended to generate awareness, trigger policy change, recognize best practices that create skilled trade workplace environments where women’s representation increases.
The Impact of COVID-19 on Apprentices in Canada
CAF-FCA wanted to better understand how COVID-19 is impacting apprentices in various regions and sectors. Apprentices were asked about their physical and mental health, technical training, employment, health and safety on-the-job, needed information and retention in the skilled trades. Gathering apprentice perspectives during the pandemic identifies the emerging challenges these learners are experiencing and helps apprenticeship stakeholders create responsive solutions.
Career Entry and Program Progression: An Apprentices in Canada ePanel Report
Apprentices in Canada ePanel participants completed a survey based on questions from CAF-FCA members. Themes include progression in the trades, career goals, childcare, online learning options, factors that draw them to employers and working in a diverse workforce.
Apprentice Well-Being: An Apprentices in Canada ePanel Report
This report summarizes results from a survey about apprentice well-being. Well-being is a topic worth investigating because it impacts an individual’s educational outcomes, productivity at work, the ability to get along with others and also their physical and mental health. Implemented before the outbreak of COVID-19 , this report creates a baseline of how apprentices were feeling before the pandemic.
Registration and Certification Trends in Apprenticeship: A Gender-Based Analysis (disponible en anglais seulement)
This report provides information about registration and certification trends for the overall apprenticeship population and then further analyzes the data by gender. This work will inform CAF-FCA’s Supporting Women in the Trades Strategy.
LMI Snapshot – Future Demand for Apprentices
This snapshot looks at data and projections generated by the Canadian System for Tracking Apprenticeship Qualification (CANTRAQ) and identifies areas of risk for the years 2020 – 2024.
LMI Snapshot – Apprenticeship Registration Trends
This snapshot looks at trends for the fifteen largest Red Seal trades based on the latest year of available data from the Registered Apprenticeship Information System (2018).
LMI Snapshot – Apprenticeship Completion Rates
A comparison of 2014 and 2018 completion rates for Red Seal trades based on data from the Registered Apprenticeship Information System and the Canadian System for Tracking Apprenticeship Qualifications (CANTRAQ). Completion ensures there are the required number of journeypersons in the workforce to meet demand.
Apprentice Demand in Red Seal Trades: A 2020 National Labour Market Information Report
This 2020 report draws together apprenticeship trends data and projections from the Canadian System for Tracking Apprenticeship Qualifications (CANTRAQ) to provide a forward-looking assessment of demand and supply for trade certification across the top 10 Red Seal trades in Canada.
Evaluating Success in Pre-Apprenticeship: Evaluation Tools Guide
This guide has a Matrix of Success Factors, a Results Measurement Framework and evaluation tools, including pre-apprentice and employer questionnaires. These documents were created in consultation with the Canadian apprenticeship community.
Evaluating Success in Pre-Apprenticeship in Canada
The Canadian Apprenticeship Forum-Forum canadien sur l’apprentissage (CAF-FCA) organized nine pre-apprenticeship consultations across the country. This report summarizes the discussion and evaluation form findings and outlines stakeholder recommendations. The CAF-FCA Pre-Apprenticeship Matrix of Success Factors and Results Measurement Framework were developed based upon feedback received at the consultation sessions and are included in this report.
2019 Federal Mandate Summary
Apprenticeship and skilled trades training figured prominently in a number of the 2019 mandate letters for federal Ministers. CAF-FCA has created a one page summary of highlights exclusively for members.
Promoting Careers in the Skilled Trades to Indigenous Youth in Canada
This report describes experiential learning opportunities in high school for students interested in learning about the skilled trades. Examples of Indigenous-focused initiatives and the impacts on student outcome are described.
2019 Results Report
This report contains highlights of CAF-FCA activities over the last year.
Communication and Inclusion in Apprenticeship
This report summarizes survey findings from an Apprentices in Canada ePanel survey focused on communication and inclusion at technical training institutes and the workplace. Apprentices were asked about the communication styles of their instructors and journeypersons, access to training, bullying and harassment incidents and whether they perceive diversity as a priority for their technical training institutes and workplaces.
It Pays to be an Apprentice
This fact sheet shares timely information about the benefits of apprenticeship and trades certification and connection to positive labour market incomes
Apprentice Demand in the Top Ten Red Seal Trades – Saskatchewan
This 2019 report draws together apprenticeship trends data and projections from the Canadian System for Tracking Apprenticeship Qualifications (CANTRAQ) to provide a forward-looking assessment of demand and supply for trade certification across the top 10 Red Seal trades in Saskatchewan.
Apprentice Demand in the Top Ten Red Seal Trades – Ontario
This 2019 report draws together apprenticeship trends data and projections from the Canadian System for Tracking Apprenticeship Qualifications (CANTRAQ) to provide a forward-looking assessment of demand and supply for trade certification across the top 10 Red Seal trades in Ontario.
Apprentice Demand in the Top Ten Red Seal Trades – Manitoba
This 2019 report draws together apprenticeship trends data and projections from the Canadian System for Tracking Apprenticeship Qualifications (CANTRAQ) to provide a forward-looking assessment of demand and supply for trade certification across the top 10 Red Seal trades in Manitoba.
Apprentice Demand in the Top Ten Red Seal Trades – British Columbia
This 2019 report draws together apprenticeship trends data and projections from the Canadian System for Tracking Apprenticeship Qualifications (CANTRAQ) to provide a forward-looking assessment of demand and supply for trade certification across the top 10 Red Seal trades in British Columbia .
Apprentice Demand in the Top Ten Red Seal Trades – Atlantic Canada
This 2019 report draws together apprenticeship trends data and projections from the Canadian System for Tracking Apprenticeship Qualifications (CANTRAQ) to provide a forward-looking assessment of demand and supply for trade certification across the top 10 Red Seal trades in New Brunswick, Newfoundland & Labrador, Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island.
Apprentice Demand in the Top Ten Red Seal Trades – Alberta
This 2019 report draws together apprenticeship trends data and projections from the Canadian System for Tracking Apprenticeship Qualifications (CANTRAQ) to provide a forward-looking assessment of demand and supply for trade certification across the top 10 Red Seal trades in Alberta.
Pre-Apprenticeship in Canada: Learner Perspectives
This report summarizes survey findings from an Apprentices in Canada ePanel survey focused on the experiences of pre-apprenticeship learners. The results provide insights into apprenticeship barriers and why learners enter pre-apprenticeship programs.
Evaluating Success in Pre-Apprenticeship: Key Findings
In March 2019, the Canadian Apprenticeship Forum held five regional consultations in Ontario, Manitoba, and Newfoundland and Labrador. Stakeholders such as educators, employers, labour and provincial representatives, and equity-seeking groups shared best practices and ideas for supporting youth, women and Indigenous peoples who wish to enter into apprenticeships and skilled trades careers.
Apprentice Demand in the Top Ten Red Seal Trades
This 2019 report draws together apprenticeship trends data and projections from the Canadian System for Tracking Apprenticeship Qualifications (CANTRAQ) to provide a forward-looking assessment of demand and supply for trade certification across the top 10 Red Seal trades in Canada.
Communication and Inclusion in Apprenticeship
The Canadian Apprenticeship Forum implemented an Apprentices in Canada ePanel survey about communication and inclusion. A total of 622 apprentices and journeypersons from across the country completed the survey.
Benefits of Certification
This fact sheet for educators captures results from the 2015 National Apprenticeship Survey Canada Overview and CAF-FCA’s 2018 Apprenticeship ePanel Snapshot and The Benefits of a Skilled Trades Career: Journeyperson Perspectives Report.
Snapshot 1: Apprenticeship Trends
Consultations with employers are providing insights that inform registration trends and identify trades where more apprentices are needed. A comprehensive annual report will be available later this year.
This first in series snapshot looks at data and trends for the ten largest Red Seal trades.
Snapshot 2: Future Demand for Apprentices
Consultations with employers are providing insights that inform registration trends and identify trades where more apprentices are needed. A comprehensive annual report will be available later this year.
This snapshot looks at data and projections generated by CANTRAQ and identifies areas of risk.
Snapshot 3: Career Advancement & Labour Market Demand
Consultations with employers are providing insights that inform registration trends and identify trades where more apprentices are needed. A comprehensive annual report will be available later this year.
This snapshot looks at data and projections generated by CANTRAQ and identifies areas of risk.
A Road Map to Supporting Women in Trades
In November 2018, CAF-FCA hosted the first-ever Supporting Women in Trades Conference. This action plan outlines the priorities and areas for action identified by the more than 350 delegates in attendance.
Financial Incentives Survey
CAF-FCA implemented a survey with Apprentices in Canada ePanel members to better understand how many apprentices take advantage of the financial supports available.
Apprenticeship: Facing Change Head-on
At the opening session of the 2018 National Apprenticeship Conference, delegates explored the key change factors impacting sectors and trades, and considered their implications for apprenticeship training.
Flexibility and Innovation in Apprenticeship Technical Training (FIATT)
The Flexibility and Innovation in Apprenticeship Technical Training (FIATT) project funded ten pilots. Each pilot experimented with alternate delivery technical training. From 2015 to 2018, CAF-FCA implemented evaluation activities.
2018 Results Report
This report contains highlights of CAF-FCA activities over the last year.
The Impact of Digital Technologies, Automation and Technological Change: Apprentice Perspectives
Gain insights about the use of smartphones on the job, apprentice attitudes toward automation and technological change and what supports are required for managing these workplace realities.
Making Apprenticeship a National Skills Priority
CAF-FCA recommendations as prepared for the House of Commons Standing Committee on Finance.
Apprenticeship Snapshot – ePanel Update Summer 2018
This is a snapshot of results from the most recent responses from the Apprentices in Canada ePanel survey group.
Apprenticeship in Canada: Research Insights, Trends and Observations
This report summarizes research findings focusing on several important themes in apprenticeship.
Experiential Learning & Pathways to Employment for Canadian Youth
Prepared for the Standing Committee on Human Resources, Skills and Social Development and the Status of Persons with Disabilities
Quality of Workplace Training: Apprentice Perspectives
Increasing employer involvement in apprenticeship and improving the quality of on-the-job training are strategic priorities for the apprenticeship community. CAF-FCA’s latest Apprentices in Canada ePanel survey, completed by 292 apprentices and early career journeypersons, provides important insights about apprentice experiences during workplace training.
Youth + Jobs = Better Future
CAF-FCA wanted to understand what today’s youth, especially diverse youth, are thinking about skilled trades careers. This youth-driven skilled trades employment strategy integrates feedback from youth workshop participant and their influencers.
Apprenticeship Snapshot – ePanel Update 2018
This is a snapshot of results from the Apprentices in Canada ePanel survey group.
The Costs and Benefits of Block-Release Technical Training: Apprentice Survey Results
To better understand apprentice experiences in traditional block-release apprenticeship technical training to attend several weeks of training at a college or union training centre) and alternate training delivery approaches ,
CAF-FCA surveyed 548 apprentices in blockrelease technical training. This report seeks to share apprentice insights about the block-release learning environment and the costs they incur to attend training.
Integrating Newcomers into Alberta’s Apprenticeship System
Participants at this roundtable session discussed how stakeholders are currently working to help newcomers to Canada address challenges, access supports and measure the impact of current initiatives on apprentice progression and completion.
2017 Results Report
This report contains highlights of CAF-FCA activities from 2017.
CAJ – Flexibility and Innovation in Apprenticeship Technical Training
This issue of the Journal brings you six excellent articles that highlight very different approaches to addressing the issues and concerns around access to technical training.
Apprenticeship Snapshot – ePanel Update 2017
This is a snapshot of results from the survey completed by those being screened for the Apprentices in Canada ePanel.
Apprenticeship In Canada 2016 Report
This report summarizes research findings of the last 24 months, focusing on several important themes in apprenticeship, including registration and completion trends, employer hiring practices, apprentice mobility, essential skills, journeyperson career pathways, and the importance of mentoring.
Building Blocks for Youth Success in the Trades
Participants at this roundtable session discussed priority competency areas for apprentice success, identified gaps in youth-readiness and suggested additional supports required to encourage youth in skilled trades careers.
CAJ Vol. 1 – Investing in Apprenticeship: Studies from Canada, New Zealand and Switzerland (2010)
Hiring and Retaining Indigenous Apprentices: Challenges, Solutions and Opportunities
Discussion summary of a regional roundtable on Indigenous engagement in Campbell River, BC.
Addressing Essential Skills Gaps
This report summarizes insights gathered at a regional roundtable held in Edmonton, AB. More than 75 participants engaged in a roundtable discussion to identify best practices and talk about what’s working across the country.
Apprenticeship: An Introduction for Employers
This brochure provides employers with an overview of the steps of hiring an apprentice, including the building blocks for effective training and completion.
Industry Engagement in Apprenticeship Training: International Perspectives
Speakers from Canada, Germany, Switzerland and the United States shared their perspectives on and experiences with building a workplace training culture.
Apprentice Attitudes Toward Learning and Examinations
Apprentices share their experiences with learning supports and examinations. An overview of Red Seal pass rates and jurisdictional programs round out this report.
The Future of Apprenticeship in Canada
Learn how stakeholders from across Canada are doing to address eight “big issues” in apprenticeship training.
Apprenticeship in NT: Challenges and Opportunities
Roundtable participants in Yellowknife share their views about apprenticeship in Northwest Territories, including barriers and recommendations to address them.
2016 Results Report
Highlights of the Canadian Apprenticeship Forum’s work over the last year.
Hiring and Retaining Aboriginal Apprentices: An Action Plan for Employers
Across the country, savvy employers are building strategic partnerships and integrating Aboriginal apprentices into their skilled trades workforces.
Achieving Certification: Helping Apprentices Cross the Finish Line
Participants at this event explored ways the apprenticeship community supports apprentices to obtain their Certificate of Qualification.
Women and Apprenticeship in Canada
A snapshot of existing research and data on women’s participation in apprenticeship. Challenges and available programs are explored.
Apprentice Supply and Demand Challenges
Participants at four discussion forums discussed apprenticeship-related supply and demand challenges, best practices and recommendations.
Apprentice Mobility in Canada
Research provides an overview of jurisdictional requirements, barriers, employer perspectives and apprentice relocation experiences.
Apprentice Mobility in Canada- Dialogue Summary
More than 100 participants gathered to discuss apprentice mobility challenges, policy changes and other emerging solutions.
Employer Handbook
This handbook highlights best practices for recruiting, retaining and mentoring apprentices based on strategies and practices employers tell us are successful.
Employer Hiring Preferences in the Skilled Trades
A survey with skilled trades employers yielded insights on hiring, training and the value employers attach to apprenticeship and certification.
Understanding Apprenticeship Requirements and Workforce Qualifications in the Canadian Labour Market
Qualifications-based labour market information provides new insights about the demand for apprentices and training gaps.
Hiring and Training Women in the Skilled Trades: The Business Case for Employers
Employers who hire women in trades point to benefits that make it worth challenging traditional thinking about gender and the workplace.
2015 Results Report
Highlights of the Canadian Apprenticeship Forum’s work over the last year.
The Benefits of a Skilled Trades Career: Journeyperson Perspectives & Experiences
Journeypersons shed new light on career progression in the trades, pointing to good pay, interesting work, full-time employment and job satisfaction as career benefits.
Youth Apprenticeship Across Canada Discussion
Event participants learned about youth programs across Canada and initiatives designed to help youth transition to skilled trades careers.
The Effect of Literacy and Essential Skills on Labour Market Outcomes for Canadian Workers
This research explores the value of literacy and essential skills for workers and better quantifies the benefits of training.
Business Case for Essential Skills Training in the Skilled Trades
Skilled trades employers attribute increased bill-out and work rates, customer retention and new process innovation to Essential Skills training in the workplace.
Employer Engagement in Apprenticeship Training
Participants discussed how to engage employers in hiring and training apprentices and why apprenticeship training is a worthwhile investment for employers.
2014 Results Report
Highlights of the Canadian Apprenticeship Forum’s work over the last year.
Educator Perceptions of Careers in the Skilled Trades
A national survey with educators indicates there is a strong case for connecting students to hands-on activities and accurate employment data.
Alternative Approaches to Technical Training
Event participants explored how innovative approaches to technical training stand to overcome barriers associated with block release technical training.
Parent Perceptions of Careers in the Skilled Trades
A national survey of parents explored perceptions of the skilled trades, helping to inform career awareness outreach efforts and youth recruitment strategies.
Impact of Technology on Apprenticeship in New Brunswick
This research explores technology trends and their impact on the skills required by apprentices, as well as implications for the delivery of apprenticeship training.
Supporting Apprentice Success: Apprenticeship Data, Trends and Observations
This report examines key themes affecting apprentice success in Canada and connects the dots arising from more than $1 million worth of research.
Brief: Canada Apprentice Loan for Standing Senate Committee
Policy brief on the barriers apprentices face returning to technical training and how the Canada Apprentice Loan might address them.
Brief: Standing Committee on Finance – Youth Employment in Canada
CAF-FCA identifies three areas where the federal government could have an impact regarding opportunities for youth employment in the skilled trades.
Study Tour Takeaways: Innovative Approaches to Skills Training
Key takeaways from a 2014 study tour on apprenticeship in Germany and England.
Brief: Oil & Gas Action Plan for Skilled Trades Workforce
In Alberta’s oil and gas sector, finding people with the appropriate skills, education and experience requires companies to cooperate to find sustainable solutions.
Engaging Youth in Apprenticeship: Perceptions and Best Practices
Stakeholders met in Calgary to explore challenges and opportunities associated with recruiting and retaining young people in the skilled trades.
Impact of Technology on Tradespeople: Views of Ontario Employers
In today’s skilled trades workplace, using digital tools and adapting to new technologies are a reality for many tradespeople.
Youth Perceptions of Careers in the Skilled Trades
A national survey of students provides insights into what today’s youth think about careers in the skilled trades, informing youth engagement efforts.
Apprenticeship Analysis: Understanding Skills Shortages in Apprenticeable Trades
Is it possible to quantify the need for certified workers? This report investigates demand across sectors to determine need for apprentices.
Making it Work: Mentoring Apprentices in the Workplace
A discussion among apprenticeship stakeholders examined challenges, opportunities and best practices associated with mentoring apprentices.
Effective Journeyperson Apprentice Mentoring On-the-Job: Tips, Strategies and Resources
When journeypersons have supports to mentor apprentices, skills are acquired efficiently, workplace productivity is enhanced and turnover is reduced.
The Impact of Technology on Apprenticeship Training in Canada
As new technologies are integrated into apprenticeship technical training, there are a number of challenges associated with increasing technological demands.
Recruiting Apprentices in Canada
Employers are encouraged to consider better ways to recruit apprentices by taking advantage of existing resources.
2012-2013 Results Report
Highlights of the Canadian Apprenticeship Forum’s work over the last year.
2011-2012 Results Report
Highlights of the Canadian Apprenticeship Forum’s work over the last year.
Brief: Standing Committee on Human Resources – Economic Opportunities for Young Apprentices
CAF-FCA identifies four major areas where the federal government could have a substantive impact regarding apprenticeship completion and certification.
Apprenticeship Registration and Completion
This report examines trends associated with registrations and completions, providing data analysis of the Registered Apprenticeship Information System (2010).
Integrating Essential Skills into Apprenticeship Training- Guide for Aboriginal Stakeholders
This guide provides information on how to support the development of Essential Skills interventions in pre-apprenticeship and apprenticeship programs.
Promoting Essential Skills and Apprenticeship Training in Aboriginal Communities across Canada
Workshops in Aboriginal communities across the country focused on Essential Skills tools and interventions that support entry into trades careers.
Recruiting and Retaining Apprentices
Getting recruitment and retention right can give employers the edge to increase profits and to grow their businesses. Employers share their tips and strategies.
2010-2011 Results Report
Highlights of the Canadian Apprenticeship Forum’s work over the last year.
Raising Awareness of Essential Skills with Employers Who Hire Apprentices
To help employers improve Essential Skills at the workplace, a series of webinars raised awareness and supported effective workplace Essential Skills programs.
Insights from Canada’s Apprenticeship Community
Apprenticeship stakeholders are confident that Canada’s apprenticeship training systems are positioned to create a highly-skilled workforce.
Employers and Apprenticeship in Canada
National survey results provide an overview of employer attitudes towards apprenticeship.
Apprenticeship and the Public Sector
Statistics indicate public sector participation in apprenticeship significantly lags that of the private sector.
Investigating Apprenticeship Completion in Canada
Completion is one of apprenticeship’s most complex topics. Though registrations have continued to increase, completion numbers have yet to catch up.
Assessing Apprenticeship Outcomes
CAF-FCA assessed the outcomes of apprentices in comparison to those who pursued other educational and career paths.
Support Mechanisms for Employers
Apprentices become tomorrow’s skilled and productive tradespeople. This study identifies opportunities to support employers hiring apprentices.
Creating Diversity in the Skilled Trades
This report shares practical examples of programs that help visible minorities enter the trades.
2009-2010 Results Report
Highlights of the Canadian Apprenticeship Forum’s work over the last year.
2008-2009 Results Report
Highlights of the Canadian Apprenticeship Forum’s work over the last year.
High School to Apprenticeship Transition: Identifying and Sharing Best Practices
The path from secondary school to employment is non-linear for many Canadian youth. How to attract youth to the trades earlier in their career is explored.
The Increasing Use of Temporary Foreign Workers
When this research was completed, the use of temporary foreign workers was not found to have had a significant impact on apprenticeship training.
Challenge of Finding an Employer Sponsor
National Apprenticeship Survey data analysis and apprentice perspectives on challenges and solutions are shared.
It Pays to Hire an Apprentice (ROTI)
Countering the concern that apprenticeship training is a considerable cost to employers, this report analyzes the costs and benefits of training.
Workplace Accommodations for Persons with Disabilities in the Skilled Trades
If persons with disabilities receive training and supports, they can make a valuable contribution to Canada’s skilled trades workplaces.
Strategies to Increase Employers Participation in Apprenticeship Training in Canada
Many Canadian employers are unaware of how apprenticeship training can improve their bottom line. Engaged employers discussed how to spread the word.
What’s Happening in Apprenticeship Now
Stakeholders share their thoughts on the state of apprenticeship in Canada, as well as the challenges brought by technological change and an aging workforce.
Apprenticeship Labour Market Outcomes in Canada Since 2000
This report provides an overview of the resources available to analyze graduate outcomes.
Apprentices Enrolled in Classroom Training at Private Training Providers
This report outlines the costs and benefits of apprenticeship for individuals who attend private training providers.
The Link Between Essential Skills and Success in Apprenticeship Training
This report describes successful Essential Skills and Apprenticeship initiatives across the country.
Apprentices Enrolled at Public Funded Colleges and Institutes
Based on a survey with apprentices in colleges from across the country, this report outlines the costs and benefits of apprenticeship for the individual.
Apprenticeship – Building a Skilled Workforce for a Strong Bottom Line
This report provides data on 15 trades, outlining the costs and benefits to the employer when hiring and training apprentices.
Highlights of Skilled Trades and Awareness and Perception Study
This study sets out to identify the perceptions and attitudes of youth and their influencers towards skilled trades and apprenticeship.
Employer Toolkit
This resource acts as a guide for employers considering the establishment of an apprenticeship program, with tips, tools and worksheets.
Accessing and Completing Apprenticeship Training in Canada
This report identifies the major barriers that prevent individuals from pursuing and completing apprenticeship training.
Making it Work: On-the-job Training in Apprenticeship
This guide helps workplaces clarify the roles and responsibilities of the apprentice, the supervising journeyperson and the employer.
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