Manitoba's Apprentice to Journeyman Ratio Sparks Debate Amid Federal Support for Skilled Trades

📅 2 weeks ago

The Winnipeg Construction Association and the Construction Association of Rural Manitoba criticize Manitoba's restrictive 1:1 apprentice to journeyman ratio, arguing it limits youth entry into the construction industry and hinders access to federal financial support.

The Winnipeg Construction Association (WCA) and the Construction Association of Rural Manitoba (CARM) have recently voiced strong opposition to Manitoba’s restrictive apprentice to journeyman ratio of 1:1, describing it as a significant missed opportunity. This critique arises as the federal government invests billions into initiatives aimed at attracting more young individuals into the construction sector. Darryl Harrison, president and CEO of the WCA, articulated the concern, stating that this limitation could result in fewer young people pursuing careers in skilled trades.
Both associations highlight that the current ratio puts employers and apprentices at a disadvantage, as it restricts access to substantial financial support. Specifically, they point out that individuals could miss out on $16,000 in income support during in-class training, a $5,000 completion bonus for obtaining the Red Seal certification, and wage subsidies amounting to $10,000 for first-year apprentices. Based on declining participation numbers, the WCA and CARM estimate that both workers and employers could forfeit up to $50 million in federal assistance over the program’s five-year duration.
Harrison noted that the New Democratic Party (NDP), which currently governs the province, argues that the 1:1 ratio is a safety measure. However, he countered this assertion by stating that there is insufficient research to support the claim that a more restrictive ratio enhances safety. Harrison, who has served on the provincial apprenticeship board for many years, mentioned that the Manitoba Apprenticeship Board underwent a significant overhaul when the NDP came into power in 2023. This included the removal of several board members, including himself, and the appointment of five new members, four of whom were critical of the previous 2:1 apprentice to journeyman ratio.
The WCA president expressed frustration, asserting that despite numerous discussions with the current government regarding the apprentice ratio, their concerns have largely gone unheard. A commentary from the CD Howe Institute published in 2013 titled "Access Denied: The Effect of Apprenticeship Restrictions in Skilled Trades" echoes these concerns, warning that restrictive ratios could lead to fewer youth entering trades, escalating labor costs, and hindering the growth of small businesses. The commentary suggests that safety should be prioritized through on-site monitoring rather than rigid input regulations.
The situation in Manitoba reflects a broader trend across Canada, as provinces grapple with the challenge of a skilled labor shortage. Notably, in 2023, Nova Scotia responded to similar concerns by altering its apprentice ratio from one journeyman to two apprentices to a more favorable three apprentices to one journeyman. This raises a critical question within the construction industry regarding the optimal apprentice to journeyman ratio for various compulsory trades—a question that, as of now, remains largely unanswered in Canada.
Data from Workers Compensation Boards across Canada, from British Columbia to Ontario, indicates a lack of comparative statistics linking apprentice injury and fatality rates to specific ratios. Alberta is the only province that has maintained statistics on apprentice injury claims over the past decade, revealing a slight decline in such claims.
A study published in the US Journal of Safety Research in December 2022 indicates that apprentices may experience fewer work injuries when engaged in mentorship programs. The findings suggest that plumbers who complete apprenticeships are less likely to suffer work-related injuries compared to those without apprenticeship experience, highlighting the importance of such programs in enhancing workplace safety.
Across Canada, provinces exhibit varying apprentice to journeyman ratios. Western provinces like British Columbia, Alberta, and Saskatchewan generally allow for two apprentices per journeyman, while Manitoba and Ontario maintain a strict one-to-one ratio. Quebec permits a ratio of one apprentice to either one or two journeymen, Newfoundland and Labrador allows for two apprentices to one journeyman, and New Brunswick adheres to a one-to-one ratio. Nova Scotia has transitioned to a more favorable three apprentices to one journeyman ratio, while Prince Edward Island also operates with a three-to-one ratio, though some trades revert to a one-to-one basis. It is also worth noting that these ratios often exclude apprentices in their final year and can be adjusted through union agreements.
An increase in Manitoba’s apprentice to journeyman ratio has the potential to significantly expand the pool of apprentices, which is critical in addressing the growing demand for skilled tradespeople. Harrison emphasized that such a change could effectively double the number of apprentices in the province, countering the declining registration numbers that have been observed since the NDP government instituted the 1:1 ratio. The WCA reported a drop in new apprentice registrations from 3,128 in the 2023-24 period to 2,730 in 2024-25, reflecting a decrease of 398.
Moreover, the total number of active apprentices in Manitoba has also declined, with the system recording 11,878 apprentices last year compared to 11,628 this year, representing a loss of 250 apprentices. The catalyst for the current restrictive ratio can be traced back to a tragic incident in 1999, which resulted in the electrocution death of a 19-year-old, Michael Skanderberg, who was not enrolled in any apprenticeship program at the time. Such restrictive ratios have led to concerns about unregistered individuals working in compulsory trades. Unions have raised alarms over the use of unregistered workers, with the IBEW previously estimating around 1,000 unregistered individuals in the industry at any given time, which poses significant challenges for maintaining standards and safety.
In response to these pressing issues, provincial authorities have initiated programs aimed at protecting new workers, with WorkSafe Saskatchewan actively collaborating with safety organizations to develop new strategies to mitigate workplace injuries for newly hired employees during their initial weeks and months on the job.

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