This page is an introduction to employing or sponsoring apprentices, and will be useful for employers or others considering apprenticeship as a form of recruitment and human resource development.
Employers play a vital role in industry training, and the availability of skilled workers ultimately depends on the willingness of employers to hire and train apprentices. Only by finding employment can apprentices get the work-based training they need to earn their certification.
Hiring apprentices can be an excellent part of an organization's long term human resources development strategy. Hiring an apprentice can give you the benefits of an employee who is eager to learn and committed to quality work and long-term skills development. In fact, in a recent survey of existing sponsors, almost three-quarters indicated that their apprentices make a positive financial contribution to their business in the second or third year of their program. Many apprentices have completed a pre-apprenticeship program before looking for work, and therefore already have work-ready skills.
If your business employs people in any of the more than 100 trades and industry occupations for which there are training programs and certification requirements, you're probably in a position to consider hiring an apprentice right now. See BC Red Seal and Training Programs for the listing of and detailed standards for industry training programs in B.C.
Hiring an apprentice is an important commitment. For more information on sponsor responsibilities, please see our Sponsor Guide.
Once you're ready to hire an apprentice at your organization, you'll need to ensure you are registered with the Industry Training Authority, and have been issued an employer identification number. If you are not already registered, you will become registered when you and your apprentice submit your Apprentice and Sponsor Registration Form.
ITA Customer Service can answer questions regarding requirements for employers wishing to hire apprentices, and provide information regarding completion requirements for specific apprenticeships. More information is also available in our Sponsor Guide.
