Provincial Apprenticeship and Certification Board

Department

Authority

Remuneration

Purpose:

The mandate of the Board is established under Section 8 and Section 9 of the Provincial Apprenticeship and Certification Act and includes responsibility for:

• Designating an occupation for certification
• Determining contents of a plan of training and a memorandum of understanding in designated occupations
• Registering all apprentices and trade qualifiers and monitoring their progress leading to journeyperson certification
• Approving assignments of memorandums of understanding for apprenticeship
• Determining and evaluating the requirements for occupational training and experience, to complete a period of apprenticeship
• Accrediting institutions for the purpose of delivering training in a designated occupation
• Providing for examinations of apprentices and trade qualifiers
• Appointing examining committee members to conduct practical examinations for the examinations of apprentices and trade qualifiers
• Appointing advisory committees which shall be equally representative of employers and employees in respect of apprenticeship in occupations
• Making the final determination regarding all disputes arising out of a memorandum of understanding for apprenticeship or a plan of apprenticeship training
• Terminating, cancelling or suspending memorandums of understanding for apprenticeship upon agreement of the parties or for proper and sufficient cause in the Board's opinion
• Revoking a certificate where evidence supports a finding of fraud by the applicant;
• Amending, varying, or revoking and substituting a plan of apprenticeship training
• Ordering, with the approval of the minister, that persons cannot work in an compulsory occupation unless they: hold a Certificate of Qualification issued or recognized by the Board 
  • are a trade qualifier under an arrangement acceptable to the Board; or,
  • are apprentices working under a memorandum of understanding for apprenticeship in accordance with its terms under a plan of apprenticeship approved by the Board.

• Issuing certificates or diplomas to apprentices and trade qualifiers who complete their training and pass the necessary journeyperson examinations
• Setting fees (where appropriate) with the approval of the Minister of Immigration, Population Growth and Skills.

Structure:

LGIC appoints:

• Chairperson (subject to the Independent Commission)
• 2 or more employer representatives
• 2 or more employee representatives
• 2 or more representatives that are not employees or employers (but "other" - subject to the Independent Commission)
• 1 alternate for each of the categories above
• Employer, employee and "other" representatives must be appointed in equal numbers
• Appointments shall be for a 3 year term so that only one person from a representative group shall retire in each year and members cannot serve more than 2 consecutive terms
• Individuals appointed as alternates can only attend meetings in the absence of regular board members but have full voting privileges when attending meetings
• The Director is also a member of the Board (ex-officio, non-voting)
• Once a member's term expires they cannot continue to serve
• The Board sets the quorum requirement for its meetings at six members, with at least one representative required to be present from each of the employer, employee and at-large groups in order for a board quorum to exist.
• In the absence of the chair of the board from a meeting of the board, the members of the board who are present may appoint one of themselves to be an acting chair of the meeting.

Qualifications:

• Strong reading comprehension and critical thinking skills
• Ability to maintain confidentially with respect to matters before the board
• High ethical standards and integrity including the ability to recognize and diligently manage and disclose potential conflicts of interest.
• Appreciation of the responsibilities to board stakeholders
• A willingness to consider others’ opinions and to make measured decisions regardless of personal biases maintaining a wide perspective on issues before the board
• The ability to listen to evidence and to consider the views of parties and fellow board members
• No direct or indirect conflict of interest
• Sound knowledge of apprenticeship
• Ability to travel to board meetings within the Province

Time Commitments:

Pursuant to section 7(1) of the Apprenticeship and Certification Act, the Board holds a minimum of four meetings annually and may hold special meetings when considered necessary by the Chair or a quorum of the board. Meetings are held on the last Tuesday of every 3rd month in March, June, September, and December and are normally a full day in duration. The date for the next Board meeting is confirmed at the end of each Board meeting. If there is a lack of quorum for a specified date, an alternative date is sought.

In the past a minimum of two (2) meetings during a calendar year are normally held outside the Avalon Region, confirmed at least one month in advance of the actual meeting. Meeting frequency decisions and location selections will be recorded in the minutes. Board members may also be expected to spend additional time to review materials and prepare for Board meetings. More recently at least two of the four meetings are conducted through teleconference.

Term:

Pursuant to section 5(2) of the Apprenticeship and Certification Act, appointments shall be for a 3 year term so that only one person from a representative group shall retire in each year and members cannot serve more than 2 consecutive terms.

Vacancy Profile: