Information Bulletin - Apprenticeship Technical Training at SIAST

The Saskatchewan Apprenticeship and Trade Certification Commission (SATCC) is working closely with its training partner, the Saskatchewan Institution of Applied Science and Technology (SIAST), to ensure that any apprenticeship training interrupted during the week of September 5, 2011 is adjusted so that apprentices can achieve the intended outcomes of their programs. Some changes have been made to the apprenticeship technical training schedule as follows:

Courses Scheduled to Start Before September 12, 2011

All SIAST apprenticeship and upgrader courses which started August 22, August 29 and September 6, 2011 are extended by one week.

All Cook Day Release Apprenticeship courses will run as scheduled.

Courses Beginning September 12, 2011

All SIAST apprenticeship courses that started September 12, 2011 will run as scheduled.

Employment Insurance

Employment Insurance benefits will be revised to match adjusted training dates. The new training dates will be entered into the apprenticeship training schedule as they become available.

The SATCC very much values and appreciates our apprenticeship and trade certification clients and thanks them for their patience and understanding during the current situation. The information provided is intended to help you make decisions that are important to you and your families. Information updates will be posted to this website as soon as they are available and will also be posted on the SIAST website at www.campusupdate.ca. Please continue to monitor the www.saskapprenticeship.ca website regularly. 


Frequently Asked Questions

1. What happens to the tuition I paid if my course is interrupted? 
2. Can I have my tuition refunded? 
3. What happens to my EI benefits?
4. Can the Saskatchewan Apprenticeship and Trade Certification Commission (SATCC) reimburse me for rent that I have pre-paid?
5. If courses have been interrupted, can I return to work?
6. If a Job Action continues, will apprenticeship courses be suspended or cancelled?
7. If apprenticeship courses are interrupted, how will apprentices receive the rest of their technical training?  Will I have to repeat training already taken?
8. Does a job action at SIAST affect apprentices’ apprenticeship technical training allowances?
9. If a Job Action occurs, will apprentices in their final level of apprenticeship technical training be allowed to write the Journeyperson Examination?
10. Who should I contact for more information?

 
1.    What happens to the tuition I paid if my course is interrupted?
The tuition fee you paid for the current course will be maintained by the Saskatchewan Apprenticeship and Trade Certification Commission (SATCC) and applied to the course when it is rescheduled. However, you may apply to have the tuition refunded.

2.    Can I have my tuition refunded?
“YES”.  Tuition refunds will be made upon receipt of a written and signed request to the Saskatchewan Apprenticeship and Trade Certification Commission indicating the reason you wish to have your tuition fee refunded (eg. The technical training for _______ Trade, Level ______that I was scheduled for at ____________ campus was interrupted due to Job Action/Strike and I do not know if I will be able to attend a re-scheduled course). For interruptions part way through a course, the tuition refund will be pro-rated.

3.    What happens to my EI benefits?
Service Canada has indicated that apprentices’ Employment Insurance benefits will not be affected during a Job Action as long as apprentices continue to be “referred to training”.

If courses are interrupted, the status of apprentices could change from “referred to training”, but apprentices may still be eligible to receive their benefits if they are not able to return to work.

You should contact Service Canada directly at 1-800-206-7218 to address any concerns you may have regarding your EI benefits.

4.    Can the Saskatchewan Apprenticeship and Trade Certification Commission reimburse me for rent that I have pre-paid?

No.  Rental arrangements are the responsibility of the apprentice.

5.    If courses have been interrupted, can I return to work?
You may return to work if your course has been interrupted.

If the course has not been suspended by the SATCC, but is interrupted by job action, apprentices should be available to attend courses as soon as they resume. It is recommended that apprentices use the time to review course materials in preparation for returning to the classroom.

However, if you feel it is necessary to return to your employment, please contact your training coordinator to discuss your situation.

Apprentices are not required to cross picket lines under any circumstances to attend technical training.

6.    If a Job Action continues, will apprenticeship courses be suspended or cancelled?
The SATCC does everything in its power not to suspend or cancel apprenticeship training. If training is interrupted, the SATCC will make adjustments so that apprentices will accomplish all learning outcomes. Please monitor the SATCC website at www.saskapprenticeship.ca for current information.

7.    If apprenticeship courses are interrupted, how will apprentices receive the remainder of their technical training?  Will I have to repeat training already taken?
Each situation will be evaluated individually to ensure solutions fit the particular circumstance of the apprentice. Decisions on the interrupted will be made to ensure that the standards are maintained and the interests of the apprentices and employers are considered.

8.    Does a job action at SIAST affect apprentices’ apprenticeship technical training allowances?
Apprenticeship training allowances will remain in effect during a job action until you are notified otherwise through the SATCC website at www.saskapprenticeship.ca. If there is a need for additional technical training, apprentices’ eligibility for allowances will be re-assessed for the additional weeks.

9.    If a Job Action occurs, will apprentices in their final level of apprenticeship technical training be allowed to write the Journeyperson Examination?
Apprentices must complete all levels of technical training to be eligible to write the journeyperson examination.

10.    Who should I contact for more information?
Check the SATCC website for announcements – www.saskapprenticeship.ca. You may also contact your training co-ordinator or call one of the numbers below.

Call Toll-free:  1-877-363-0536
Regina Main Reception:  306-787-2444
Saskatoon Main Reception:  306-933-8476
Moose Jaw:  306-694-3717 OR  306-694-3735
Prince Albert:  306-953-2632