A national apprenticeship scheme is to get underway in the New Year as Government draws up a legislative framework for employer-apprentice contracts.

Minister of Labour, Home Affairs and Housing, David Burch, said the National Training Board (NTB) will also outline procedures for the scheme itself from April. This will include the design of an apprentice/trainee record booklet and apprentice card.

Sen. Burch told the Senate yesterday: "The Apprenticeship Regulations as outlined in the 2008 Speech from the Throne will provide a legislative basis for the National Training Board to regulate formal apprenticeship contracts through guidelines for the management and operations of the national apprenticeship scheme.

"The apprenticeship contract will formalise a relationship between the employer and the apprentice."

Guidelines for apprenticeship regulations have been drawn up following advice from Alberta Apprenticeship and Industry Training to the NTB. The Certification Regulations were approved earlier this year.

Sen. Burch said: "Currently the apprenticeship regulations are being drafted and are expected to be completed by the third term of this current legislative session.

"With the drafting of the apprenticeship regulations in process, the NTB has begun preparation for the implementation of this important initiative. The first step towards implementation will take place in the first quarter of next year."

The Minister said this will include training for Training and Assessment officers and the Standards and Enforcement officer, to enable them "to assume their new roles and responsibilities in accordance with the proposed regulations".

More than 350 students are currently sponsored by the NTB. They are studying more than 30 disciplines at up to 40 institutions, including construction, engineering, cosmetology, car mechanics and refrigeration/air conditioning technology.