(St. John’s) – CUPE and the Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation are teaming up to create employment opportunities in the trades.
Local 1860 President Bill Wakeley says, “This initiative will give employees at Housing who have prior experience a chance to complete a journey person trade in carpentry, electrical, plaster and painting and plumbing to obtain a so-called red seal.
”An initial posting will be placed on bulletin boards in all offices around the province to see what interest there is from employees in having an assessment completed. This would involve a week away from work and paying a testing fee. Newfoundland Labrador Housing is looking into giving paid leave and paying the testing fee for employees who are interested,” says Wakeley.
“After the prior assessments are completed, the Corporation would look at prioritizing staff based on their work experiences. There is a time frame of six weeks for an employee to challenge the exam required for their trade,” he says.
Wakeley says the union currently has three Housing employees in training to obtain a red seal, and 14 students completing work terms at Housing to get their journey person trade.
The corporation has agreed to take all of these apprentices through all of their training blocks.
Says Wakeley, “There will surely be some bumps in the road, but both parties are willing to work through them to make sure that this initiative is a success.”
For information:
Bill Wakeley John McCracken
President Local 1860 CUPE Communications Rep.
(709) 689-5104 (Cell) (902) 455-4180 (O)