Registered apprenticeship training programs

More men and women than ever before registered in apprenticeship training programs in 2001, as Canada's trades rebounded from the decline of the early 1990s.

In addition, more women have been registering in trade programs dominated by men.

Registrations in apprenticeship programs reached a record 217,560 in 2001, the sixth consecutive annual increase. This level was up 8% from 2000 and 32% from the most recent low of 164,570 in 1995.

A total of 197,500 men and 20,060 women were registered in 2001. However, women have recorded the largest increase in registration since 1995 by far.

From 1995 to 2001, the number of registered women soared 76%, more than twice the rate of growth of 29% among men. Gains in registration among women during this period were higher in every major group.

In 2001, women accounted for 9% of total registration, up from 7% in 1995. Men represented 91% in 2001, down from 93% from 1995.

Slightly higher proportion of women in most fields

From 1995 to 2001, women increased their share in almost every field in trades.

Women have traditionally dominated and still are dominating only one field - the food and services field. In 2001, there were 13,620 women registered in such programs, representing 61% of total registration in this field, up from 54% in 1995. A majority of the female registrations in the food and service trade group are found in the hairdresser/hairstylist, aesthetician and cook occupations.

They also made inroads in fields normally dominated by men. For example, in 2001, registration among women more than doubled in apprenticeship programs for metal fabricating trades during this period.

They also experienced double-digit increases in programs for electrical and electronics trades and for motor vehicle and heavy equipment trades.

In 2001, some 890 women were registered in motor vehicle and heavy equipment programs, up from 620 in 1995. Still, they accounted for only 2% of registration in 2001, up marginally from 1995.

About 1,210 women were enrolled in apprenticeship programs for building construction and trades, a 38% increase from only 880 in 1995. They accounted for 2.8% of registration in 2001, up from 2.5%.

However, while registration numbers are increasing, the number of women who actually complete these apprenticeship programs is lagging behind. It may still be several years before they are at the same level as registrations.

Registrations up in almost every trade group

Registrations were up in every major trade group in 2001. Of the 16,000 additional students enrolled in 2001, close to 60% registered in three out of the four trade groups that traditionally dominated the sector: electrical and electronics (+3,790), metal fabricating (+3,200) and building construction (+3,080).

The biggest growth occurred in electrical, electronics and related trades, where registration jumped 12% in 2001 to 36,640.

This growth may help alleviate a potential shortage of electricians, pinpointed by the Census 2001 data on occupations, released in The Daily on February 11, 2003. These data showed that the share of older electricians increased from 8% to 12% during the 1990s, while the number of younger workers in this occupation has fallen off dramatically.

Elsewhere, registration increased 10% in programs for food and service trades, 8% in building construction trades, 7% in metal fabricating and 7% in industrial and mechanic trades.

The lowest year-over-year increase (+5%) was incurred by programs in the motor vehicle and heavy equipment trade group. This trade group has failed to reach the average rate of increase for the apprenticeship programs since 1998.

In 2001, there were 47,620 people registered in programs for metal fabricating trades, accounting for just over one-fifth (22%) of the total, the highest proportion of all trade groups.

Completions have held steady for past three years

Several factors affect the ability of registered apprentices to complete their training, including the duration of the program and, of great importance, the ability to maintain steady employment.

In 2001, a total of 18,260 men and women received their certificates, virtually unchanged from 2000. However, this total was 7% higher than the level of 17,070 in 1995.

Completions have been relatively steady since 1999, when a significant jump of 13% occurred in the number of completions. The decline of the early 1990s had a big impact on completions, which reached a low of 16,090 in 1996.

As in the case of registrations, completions also declined during the early 1990s. However, while registrations after the recovery period surpassed previous levels, completions are still slightly below previous levels. It appears completions take longer to recover from the decline period and possibly lengthen the time it takes apprentices to complete their program.

Completions have increased in most major trade groups since 1995, especially in three trade groups that traditionally dominate the sector: metal fabricating (+19%), motor vehicle and heavy equipment (+18%) and industrial and mechanical trades (+10%).

Completions have declined in only one trade group since 1995: building construction (-16%).

In 2001, some 2,050 women completed their training, down 4% from 2000. However, during the six-year period, the number of completions among women has increased 12%, largely the result of an 8% gain in graduates of food and services programs.

A total of 16,210 men completed programs in 2001, up a slight 1% from the year before and 6% from 1995.

Definitions, data sources and methods: survey number 3154.

For general information or to order data, contact Client Services (1-800-307-3382; 613-951-7608; fax: 613-951-9040; educationstats@statcan.gc.ca). To enquire about the concepts, methods or data quality of this release, contact Karl Skof (613-951-1529; fax: 613-951-6567; karl.skof@statcan.gc.ca) or Sylvie Bonhomme (613-951-5366; fax: 613-951-6567; sylvie.bonhomme@statcan.gc.ca), Centre for Education Statistics.