What's at Stake? Your Apprenticehip

CUSW members are making one of the most important decisions of their careers.  

CUSW understands that skills matter, and that its members benefit enormously from the Multi-Employer Apprenticeship Governance Council that jointly oversees our Apprenticeship Training programs with our Employer Partners. It’s a system that CUSW members have worked very hard to create, and one we’re all very proud of.

But where does a potential move to the American-based unions and their so-called “Trade Union Council of Ontario” take your skills, work experiences and training opportunities?  Let’s look at the facts:
 
  • The OEs and LiUNA do not have the ability to sign up and register all apprentices, including powerline and electrical apprentices. Nor do they have any employers that hire powerline or electrical apprentices.
     
  • Apprentices signing cards won’t have a future with the OEs and LiUNA, as they do not perform electrical work.  All apprentices would be stranded under LIUNA and OE agreements, as they have no employer network to support apprenticeships.
     
  • Everything that CUSW members have gained from our apprenticeship and training programs will be gone, literally overnight.

With CUSW, we have a progressive, structured approach to training in the workplace that provides opportunities for members to get the new skills and job experience necessary to become expert journeypersons in the construction industry. A successful apprenticeship requires a strong number of competent mentors to provide the necessary workplace instruction and leadership.

CUSW is also proud of our Education and Training Trust fund, which supports all members, including apprentices and journeypersons in their lifelong learning needs. This Trust is one of our most popular programs and is regularly drawn upon by apprentices to gain the skills of the future to improve their work opportunities.

The Apprenticeship Governance Council has built a reputation of recruiting strong candidates from diverse communities across Canada. Our focus on pre-apprenticeship programs with community-based organizations has allowed many to enter the workplace in entry level positions and after gaining firsthand experience, access to apprenticeships to further their careers.

And the best thing about these opportunities is they often further progress into careers beyond the skilled trades and into project leadership and management.

What do the Big American unions have to say about apprenticeships, except more promises they never seem to back up?  They would spell disaster for existing CUSW members and apprentices alike.

CUSW is more than happy to discuss our training and apprenticeship programs.  We’re proud of them, and want them to continue building the skillsets, job experiences and careers of our membership.