This report was commissioned in December 2006 to assess the capacity for trades training in the public post-secondary system with the key objectives to: identify current levels of utilization for each of the top trades; identify methods of increasing capacity for top trades; and determine future levels of capacity that can be achieved without requiring increases in physical space, nor major program restructuring. The top trades identified in this study are automotive services technician, carpentry, commercial transportation mechanic, cooking, electrical, heavy duty equipment technician, millwright, plumbing, residential framing technician, sheet-metal worker, and welding.
Each of the institutions delivering top trades was sent a questionnaire to gather information on current utilization and considerations for increasing capacity. The institutions collectively identified a number of factors that may influence their capacity and the predictability of attendance. These factors are: class size, program length, increased utilization of physical resources, central registration, funding, community-based delivery, and balance offerings of Foundation Programs and Apprenticeship Programs.
The capacity review found that up to 21,882 apprentice technical training spaces (notional additional capacity) could be achieved by applying a number of factors to optimize capacity, such as utilizing unscheduled time, double shifting in some trades, and increasing class sizes (where noted by institutions). The notional additional capacity does not take into consideration other measures that could be taken, such as reducing program length, distance education segments, or making significant physical changes. The study also does not determine how well the notional additional capacity aligns with student demand by program area.
Excerpt from publication reprinted by permission of the copyright owner.
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