This submission to an Ontario Government Discussion paper about "Apprenticeship Reform" in December 1996 was prepared and submitted by Alfred Tappen as a representative of The Pastry Chefs Guild of Ontario Inc.

The Pastry Chefs Guild feels that the issues raised are important considerations regarding the apprenticeship system in Ontario and in Canada. They are still relevant at this time.

At present, apprenticeship does not seem to enjoy a high degree of respectability and prestige. There is a recognition of the Baker trade as an Interprovincial RED SEAL trade; Skills Canada promotes the trade of Baker (and many other trades). That is a start. Many more trades should be recognized in this manner. Trades have to be recognized (and respected) as an honourable profession.

The average student learns about the apprenticeship system mostly by chance. There is often not sufficient knowledge available for students/young people to make a decision based on facts pertaining to a trade.

First start has to be in schools, especially in Guidance Departments. They have to have relevant material to give students realistic choices (not just institutions of higher learning), they have to be able to call on trades people to help by making them available for interviews or presentations.

High Schools could, if feasible, teach courses pointing towards real trades, for instance, Home Ec. could be a Baking or Cooking course. Trade skills to be taught, if possible, by tradespersons.

Other means to have the word spread are by the media (printing, audio, tapes, etc.), Internet, Trade Shows or Fairs, Competitions and Trade Associations.

Apprenticeship is the beginning of a career in a field or is the foundation on which related activities can be performed or career choices and opportunities followed which might present themselves along the individual’s life-path (all the Prussian Emperor’s sons had to learn a trade).

An apprenticeship should provide a person with a sense of accomplishment, of pride in one’s ability to produce something worthwhile, to be able to understand processes and to find fulfillment in getting recognition for work done.

Skills a person learns during an apprenticeship stay with that person for life. Even if a different career is followed, knowledge and skills acquired during an apprenticeship are always a base to which one-if something or other does not work out—can return.

A journeyman/person who has achieved a certain degree of proficiency in a trade can find work almost anywhere in the world where his product or services are used. That gives a feeling of independence which is a personal goal for many.

In many countries, skills and knowledge may lead to entrepreneurial enterprises, being able to teach the trade to others, use the knowledge to be an advisor or consultant. Those are just a few examples.

An apprenticeship can be used as a foundation on which to build. It is customary (especially in Europe) for journeymen to strive to become Masters of their trade (more about Masters later on). Journeymen are at present able to train people (in Canada), making themselves therefore more valuable for employers.

The remarks above might be a good starting point in answering this question. People from an early age should be made aware of the opportunities, benefits and the inherent security of having a trade. Opportunity presents itself in being able to make a living at a trade. Benefits might be wages which are sufficient for a comfortable life style; the feeling of being a useful member of society; to be able to be proud in achievements and being able to get recognition from one’s peers. Security means that no matter how bad the economy or circumstances might be, one can almost always be sure to make a living in a trade. Journeymen often can look forward to steady employment.

A delivery system should be developed so it is easy for interested people to find out about a trade. How about the Internet. Schools and individuals can connect and learn details of a trade which usually are not conveniently available.

Provincial Advisory Committees (PAC now called Industrial Committees (IC) 1990) could be empowered to provide or order such enterprise. To finance such endeavours should be the responsibility of Government, be it Provincial or Federal. But if industry sees benefits, we think industry is quite willing to be involved.

Raise the image of the trade, show that it is an honourable and respected career, show that it is the foundation on which one can build a successful life.

It is very important for an individual to see a straight career path. Bureaucracy, confusion, insufficient information, lack of funding or support, difficulty in obtaining suitable apprenticeships and difficulty in obtaining the necessary time and commitments from service providers naturally can turn an individual off from becoming an apprentice.

All the above points—and probably a few more—have to be addressed to make it attractive for a person to learn a trade.

It is also important to find out if the person likes the trade (not just being pushed to learn it) and if he or she is capable to work in the trade.

At present, without going into details, one gets the impression from employers that taking on apprentices is not a good deal! Apprentices have many more rights than an employer—so it seems. Employers have to follow far too many rules and regulations, the cost seems too high in terms of the returns (especially at the beginning, an apprentice costs money and time to train).

Employers should get benefits in the form of tax credits and/or subsidies to account at least in part for the wages and other costs like U.I. insurance, W.C. payments, etc.

If the apprentice has to attend in-school theoretical instructions, it should be arranged so that it will cause the least amount of disruption for the employer (maybe this is too inconvenient for the school system). One day a week, say Tuesday or Wednesday, would be preferred by many to the present practice of having apprentices leaving for 4 to 6 weeks at a time. Also, it was mentioned that during that time, apprentices are not supposed to work, but really could use the dollars earned by working part-time (without losing their U.I. entitlement).

It was also mentioned that as soon as an apprentice is "profitable", he/she will leave for greener pastures (being hired by a competitor who pays a bit more). There should be a provision to eliminate this grievance by holding an apprentice to a contract or going after the offending party and hold it responsible.

At this time, the highest degree for a tradesperson is to be a Journeyman/person. The one exception in Canada— as far as is known— is in the Chef/Cook trade. In order to improve the image of a trade, there should be a provision to allow a person to strive for something more than Journeyman, something that shows (and rewards him or her) with a recognition of being a MASTER in this trade.

(Note: Trade persons in the Baker/Pâtissier trade have to go to the USA to obtain Master recognition)

Basically, a journeyperson should be able to apply for a Master Examination (practical and theoretical) after a certain amount of time worked as a journeyperson (usually minimum of 5 years) and having attained a certain age (i.e. 24 the minimum age).

A rigorous examination consisting of practical (over two days), oral test and written submissions will cover all aspects of a trade. The examination results are judged (a minimum number of points to be reached) by 5 judges who have to hold the Master title themselves (recognized superior tradesperson to be asked to start this phase with Grandfather provision).

Master Bakers or other Masters should have certain privileges like having the right to teach the trade, the right to train or supervise the training (apprenticeship) of individuals. A Master is also eligible to represent the trade in Trade Associations and may be a resource person for Government agencies.

A Master certainly will not only get recognition for his achievement but also will be able (and get) top remuneration. The Master Title will not be given lightly. It will certainly help to give a trade recognition, bring honour to the holder and so will enhance the Image of a Trade.

May 2002

Please submit any comments to:

Alfred Tappen

Secretary and Administrator

The Pastry Chefs Guild of Ontario Inc.

alfredtappen@sympatico.ca