Canadian Apprenticeship Program

Since 1964, Boilermakers all across Canada have worked together to review safety and training in the shipyard and construction industries. They needed training programs that conformed not only to federal regulations, but also to 11 different sets of provincial regulations, while also producing Boilermakers who could work at any branch of the trade in any location. The first nationwide apprentice training conference was held in 1970. At this meeting, Canadian Boilermaker employers agreed to follow the union’s example of mutual cooperation to solve common problems at the national level. By 1971, they had established the BCA (Boilermaker Contractors Association), which developed a successful training model that was later copied in the United States. This model called for a national coordinator for apprentice training who would work with local lodge coordinators. The BCA also successfully lobbied the Canadian government for funding to establish training facilities. Learn more about education and training opportunities for Canadian Boilermakers.