Parents/Guardians
We would like to welcome you to the NBTAP program. High school students can apply to be part of this exciting opportunity. NBTAP is a key engagement program within New Brunswick’s formalized Pre-Apprenticeship opportunities.
Thinking apprenticeship is second best to a university degree, is a huge misconception. Apprenticeships can be a rewarding pathway to in demand careers. Students entering apprenticeships can “earn while they learn”. Starting with the New Brunswick Teen Apprenticeship Program (NBTAP), your student can start accumulating apprenticeship hours, developing required skills, all while earning an income, even before high school completion. Most importantly, these apprenticeship hours may be directly transferred to a certified apprenticeship program.
NBTAP involves New Brunswick employers identifying areas where students can participate in up to three consecutive paid summer work term opportunities with their organization. Students will participate in job competitions for the skilled trades employment opportunities the best suit their interests and career pathway. A resume and application form will be required for submission. If successful, your student will work side-by-side with a skilled trades journeyperson. Learning new skills daily, working with their hands, and establishing long-term connections are just a few of the advantages of the NBTAP Program.
If you are a parent/guardian of an NBTAP student, here is how you can support your student. You can:
- Provide encouragement for your student(s)
- Show an interest in skilled trades
- Become an informed advocate
- Provide transportation to/from the worksite
- Attend information sessions
- Help your student(s) prepare resumes and for interviews
- Communicate with the employer, school champions and the pre-apprenticeship coordinator
Labor Market Information
It is projected that over the next ten years there will be a shortage of skilled tradespeople in New Brunswick. Trade occupations such as carpenters, automotive service technicians and millwrights are estimated to have over 1,000 job openings in New Brunswick within a 10 year period.
These jobs often pay very well. Average salaries for millwrights, pipefitters, electricians, crane operators and powerline technicians are $70,000 or more.
To learn more about job openings and salaries for hundreds of jobs in New Brunswick, please visit the Occupational Profiles (NBjobs.ca).
Quick Facts:
- For the period of 2023-2032, forecasted job openings for the construction sector in the province total 10,200. Most of these openings are due to retirements.
- In Q2 2022, there were 1,755 job vacancies in the N.B. construction sector. This represented a nearly nine-fold increase (+875%) relative to Q2 2016.
- New Brunswick has the second highest construction job vacancies rate among the ten provinces (8.5% in Q2 2022).
To find out more information about available careers and salaries within New Brunswick, please visit the following websites:
NBjobs.ca
Job Bank Canada
Just Imagine, your student will build their career, while earning income and hour per hour credit towards their apprenticeship within beautiful New Brunswick even before leaving high school. Earning an education, while being paid = No student loans required.
Funding Information
After high school, as with many other post-secondary opportunities, there are also opportunities for students to obtain apprenticeship funding within the Province of New Brunswick. This funding can help ease the financial burden often associated with post-secondary educational training. Qualified individuals can receive funding in the form of Employment Insurance (EI). Also, the Training and Skills Development Program helps cover such expenses as: living away from home, travel assistance, childcare, commuting allowance and disability allowance.
There are a wide range of grants and incentives available to assist apprentices. Some of these include (Source: PETL website)
This incentive provides employed tradespersons with an annual deduction of up to $500 to help cover the cost of new tools necessary to their occupation. The deduction applies to the total cost of eligible tools if the following conditions are met:
- the total cost exceeds $1,000;
- the tools were bought after May 1, 2006; and
- the purchase was made by an employed tradesperson.
Note: Apprentice Mechanic Tools Expenses
Even though an apprentice may have already claimed the tradesperson’s deduction for tools, he/she may also be able to deduct a part of the cost of eligible tools purchased to earn employment income as an eligible apprentice mechanic.
If you would like more information about the Apprenticeship Incentive Grant, the Apprenticeship Completion Grant, the Tradesperson’s Tool Deduction, visit https://www.canada.ca/en/employment-social-development.html
You can also find further funding opportunities by visiting the following: Post-Secondary Education, Training and Labour
For more information on apprenticeship, visit: The New Brunswick Community College
Safety
As a parent/guardian, you may be concerned about the health and safety of your student while working on the job. Ensuring that your student is aware of workplace hazards is up utmost importance. Students will participate in work site orientations, which will include information and policies regarding workplace safety, including wearing personal protective equipment at all times, maintaining a safe work space, inspecting tools and equipment prior to use, and much more.
As the students work with a Journeyperson, they will learn more about the safety aspects surrounding their career choice profession. While employers are responsible for providing a safe workspace for the students to reduce workplace injuries, the students have a responsibility to follow the safe work practices established by the employer.
Under WorkSafeNB, the provision a healthy and safe workplace for New Brunswick’s workers and employers is a priority. WorkSafeNB is a Crown corporation charged with overseeing the implementation and application of New Brunswick’s Occupational Health and Safety Act; Workers’ Compensation Act; Workplace Health, Safety and Compensation Commission and Worker’s Compensation Appeals Tribunal Act; and, the Firefighters’ Compensation act.
As a parent/guardian, you may wonder how you can play a role in protecting your student. Here are some suggestions:
- Discuss the importance of safety in the workplace with your student
- Discuss the role that your student will play regarding safety
- Take time to discuss the skilled trade in which your student is involved
- Review the workplace orientation with your student
- Know the equipment, tools and personal protective equipment required
- Ensure your student knows how to report any incident that occurs
To learn more about safety in the workplace, visit the WorkSafeNB website.
Participating Schools
School Champions
Todd Wilson
Mitchell Bargg
Canterbury High School
Jeff Tompkins
Carleton North High School
Derek Tracey
Central New Brunswick Academy
Andrea Carson
Chipman Forest Avenue School
Jill Yates
Thayer Doyle
Hartland Community School
Ellen Hatt
Harvey High School
Jeremy McIver
John Caldwell School
Kevin Harding
Leo Hayes High School
Michael Sorensen
Matthew Clements
Minto Memorial High School
Kendall Gaddass
Nackawic Senior High School
Chris Gallop
Oromocto High School
Travis Steeves
Saint Mary's Academy
Julie Page-Michaud
Aaron McLoughlin
Angela Barclay
Stanley Consolidated School
Brad Kersing
Tobique Valley High School
Holly Rasmussen
Woodstock High School
Peter Belyea
Michael Chaisson
Campobello Island Consolidated School
Daphne Carten
Fundy Middle and High School
Tyson McGee
Hampton High School
Krista Hovey
Heather Malco
Grand Manan Community School
Danielle Materniak
Kennebecasis Valley High School
Becky Walsh
Rothesay High School
Janice Jordan
Tim Hunter
Todd Robertson
Simonds High School
Kirby Gordon
Terry Langile
Stephanie Marr
Sir James Dunn Academy
Audrey Norman
St. Malachy's Memorial High School
Stacey Currie
Allyson Waycott
Sussex Regional High School
Danielle Henry
Compass Education Centre - Sussex
Crystal Gray
Stephen Harris
Lindsay Dominie
Caledonia Regional High School
Heather Lean
Jason Beaton
Christine Babineau
JMA Armstrong High School
Dan Lemay
Rickey Beck
Petitcodiac Regional School
Wayne Wilbut
Andrew Colpitts
Julie Doucette
Tantramar Regional High School
Elliemae Paynter
Matthew Murray
Blackville School
Tim Gratton
Vickilyn Carter
Dalhousie Regional High School
Colleen Harquail
Jen Talbot Lavigne
Robin Martin
Miramichi Valley High School
Paul Landry
Carla Pitre
Sugarloaf Senior High School
Stacey Savoie