Sponsor Requirements

Sponsorship

Approximately 80 per cent of an apprenticeship program is completed on the job while working for one or more employers. Sponsorship helps to ensure that the:

• highest quality of training is provided;
• full scope of training for a trade is covered;
• apprentice achieves an industry training credential at the completion of their program.
  

In most cases, a sponsor is an employer, such as a certified tradesperson or company. However, a sponsor may also be a joint union-management training board, industry association, training institution or other entity.

Sponsor Eligibility

There are three basic eligibility requirements for sponsors of apprentices:

• A sponsor must be a legal entity (e.g., a company or organization) or an individual who is a certified tradesperson or equivalent.
• A sponsor must be registered, or become registered, with the ITA.
• A sponsor must be willing to assume specific responsibilities.
  

Sponsor Responsibilities

The specific responsibilities of sponsors are to:

• Register themselves and their apprentice(s) with the ITA.
• Notify the ITA of any changes to their (the sponsor’s) contact information.
• Ensure that the apprentice has a safe place to work and proper equipment.
• Ensure that work-based training done by the apprentice is completed under the direction or supervision of a certified tradesperson or equivalent.
• Ensure that the apprentice receives work-based training that incorporates the full scope of the apprenticeship program; training can take place at multiple work sites if required.
• Track and report the apprentice’s work-based training hours to the ITA.
• Release the apprentice as necessary to attend technical training.
• Review documentation sent by the ITA regarding training progress with the apprentice and report any discrepancies to the ITA in a timely manner.
• Recommend the apprentice for certification when all required work-based training, technical training and any other program requirements have been completed.
  

The ITA gives sponsors the flexibility to determine how best to manage their apprentice and currently there are no ITA requirements related to the:

• Size of the workplace
• Number of certified tradespersons on staff
• Nature of the working relationship between the sponsor and apprentice, such as contract, full- or part-time employment
• Wages
• Number of apprentices that can be sponsored
• Duration of sponsorship for a particular apprentice
  

Sponsors are not required to sponsor an apprentice for the entire duration of the apprentice’s industry training program. For example, the availability of work, the sponsor’s ability to provide training covering the scope of the trade or an apprentice’s decision to change jobs may result in an apprentice having one or more sponsors during the time it takes for them to complete an apprenticeship program and obtain an ITA credential.

Work-Based Training

Work-based training must be completed under the direction or supervision of a certified tradesperson (Red Seal or equivalent) and the individual can be either the sponsor or the person who supervises or directs the apprentice.

With the agreement of their sponsor, apprentices are also able to apply for credit for previous work experience obtained while working for employers other than their sponsor.