Frequently Asked Questions

1. Does the person who trains an apprentice need to be certified?
2. How can trainers become certified?
3. What is the minimum or maximum wage an employer must pay an apprentice?
4. When does an employer increase an apprentice's level of pay?
5. How are journeyperson-to-apprentice training ratios established?
6. Can an apprentice's previous training and experience count as credit to the total technical and practical training hours required in a training level?
7. How do you complete a Report of Hours form?
8. Can overtime hours count towards required apprenticeship time?
9. Are employers eligible for any financial assistance to train apprentices?
10. What financial assistance is available to apprentices?
11. Who pays for books and tuition when your apprentice attends school?
12. If I hire an individual who was a previously registered apprentice, do we need to sign another apprenticeship agreement?
13. How and when to register for technical training?
14. Do I have to let my apprentice leave work to attend technical training and/or to take examinations?
15. Who is responsible for insurance?
16. Understanding the Examination Process
17. Questions specific to Hairstylist, Esthetician and/or Electrolgist

1. Does the person who trains an apprentice need to be certified?

All applicants wanting trades training as apprentices in compulsory trades must work under the supervision of a certified journeyperson who holds a Certificate of Qualification in that trade. In non-compulsory trades, apprentices can work under the supervision of either a certified journeyperson or designated trainer.

Non-certified workers wishing to train an apprentice must complete and submit a Designated Trainer Work Experience Application to Apprenticeship Manitoba  

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2. How can trainers become certified?

Apprenticeship Manitoba is committed to providing opportunities for designated trainers to acquire certification. Review the section on Trades Qualification for more information.

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3. What is the minimum or maximum wage an employer must pay an apprentice?

You must pay at least the trade regulation minimum wage for the applicable apprenticeship level. If the trade regulation does not state a minimum wage, then you must pay your apprentice at least the minimum wage for an apprenticeship level as stated in the Apprenticeship & Certification General Regulation. There is no maximum wage requirement-you can pay your apprentice as much as you are able.

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4. When does an employer increase an apprentice's level of pay?

When your apprentice meets all the requirements to advance to the next level of training, you must increase the rate of pay. To advance to the next level, your apprentice must:

• spend the required amount of calendar time in the trade as stated in the trade regulation - a minimum of 12 months
• complete the number of hours required for each apprenticeship level as stated in the trade regulation - for example, some trades require a minimum of 1200 hours per level
• attain a satisfactory grade in all required technical training
• pay tuition or any other fees owing to Apprenticeship Manitoba  

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5. How are journeyperson-to-apprentice training ratios established?

As experience comprises the bulk of apprenticeship training, it is essential that each apprentice has on-site access to a journeyperson and receives the attention and guidance necessary to learn to perform the tasks of the trade safely and efficiently. An apprentice must receive close supervision when performing tasks that pose a high degree of risk. As your apprentice advances through the levels of training and becomes more competent in performing tasks, less supervision is needed. Apply common sense when determining the degree of supervision your apprentice needs in a specific situation.

The regulations for most trades state that only one apprentice can be supervised by one certified journeyperson or designated trainer. However, you can apply to change the training ratio by completing an Increase in Ratio Application.

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6. Can an apprentice's previous training and experience count as credit to the total technical and practical training hours required in a training level?

When you and your apprentice submit an application for registration with Apprenticeship Manitoba, you may request that your apprentice receive credit for some technical training to reduce the overall technical training requirement and/or credit for some practical experience to shorten the length of the practical experience requirement. Time credit is issued by Apprenticeship Manitoba through a process called Prior Learning Assessment & Recognition. If Apprenticeship Manitoba gives your apprentice enough credit to advance a full level, then you must pay your apprentice at least the trade regulation minimum wage applicable to the next level.

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7. How do you complete a Report of Hours (blue book)?

To verify the number of practical hours needed for a Certificate of Qualification, you or your journeyperson must calculate the hours your apprentice works and enter these hours in the Report of Hours (blue book). Every six months your apprentice must submit the updated form to Apprenticeship Manitoba. After recording these hours, Apprenticeship Manitoba will return the blue book. On the first day of each level of technical training, your apprentice must bring an updated Report of Hours to class.

Only the hours that you have documented and verified in the Report count towards the hours required to complete the practical training component. If your apprentice leaves your employment, you must update this blue book and submit it to Apprenticeship Manitoba. Review section on the Apprentice Training Package.

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8. Can overtime hours count towards required apprenticeship time?

Yes. Overtime hours may be used to complete the hours requirement for practical experience component in a level. However, overtime hours cannot be used to reduce the amount of time your apprentice must spend in each level. For example, if a trade regulation requires that each level of on-the-job training consists of at least 12 months, then overtime hours cannot be used to reduce this length of time.

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9. Are employers eligible for any financial assistance to train apprentices?

Yes. Various provincial and federal tax incentives and grants are available for hiring and training apprentices as well as hiring journeypersons. Other wage subsidies are available for hiring immigrants with experience gained outside of Canada. Review section on Finances & Awards.

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10. What financial assistance is available to apprentices?

Apprentices are in a unique situation because most of their learning is acquired on the job as paid employment. Apprentices have access to a limited amount of government financial assistance because the time they spend learning in-class is less than the time required for any funding assistance and because the Province of Manitoba is responsible for most of the costs associated with technical training. However, the apprentice is able to receive special grants and tax deductions, Employment Insurance (EI) during the time of technical training and may apply for various Scholarships & Awards. Review the sections on Finances & Awards for more information.

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11. Who pays for books and tuition when your apprentice attends school?

Apprenticeship Manitoba covers the major portion of tuition fees for apprentices when they attend school. For each level of training, your apprentice is required to contribute a small portion of the tuition ($200, $250 or $275, depending on the trade) as well as the cost of any required textbooks. It is your choice to assist your apprentice with these tuition and book costs.

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12. If I hire an individual who was a previously registered apprentice, do we need to sign another apprenticeship application?

Yes, a change of employer or change of trade requires  a new apprenticeship application and required fee to  be submitted to Apprenticeship Manitoba.

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13. How and when to register for technical training?

Generally, apprentices spend six months to a year in the trade before they are eligible to register for in-school training.

Apprentices are responsible for registering for classes themselves each year, following the completion of at least 6 months of on-the job training for each level. The Apprenticeship Technical Training Registration Calendar is published and distributed annually for details on the registration process and course dates and times. Apprentices register for apprenticeship training classes through Apprenticeship Manitoba, The Apprenticeship Technical Training Registration Calendar is available for download in the Technical Training section.
*IMPORTANT: Apprenticeship Manitoba no longer calls apprentices to register for classes.

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14. Do I have to let my apprentice leave work to attend technical training and/or to take examinations?

In your agreement, you agreed to let your apprentice attend technical training and take examinations. Apprentices and employers must select a mutually beneficial time for in-school training within 12 months of the start of an apprenticeship or level.

Technical training allows your apprentice to become more knowledgeable and to be more productive in problem solving. When apprentices attend technical school, they are learning the trade properly in the shortest time possible.

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15. Who is responsible for insurance?

The employer is responsible for providing coverage/insurance in the event of a work place accident in the same manner as the employer’s other employees. Insurance coverage is therefore not dependant on acceptance of an application with Apprenticeship Manitoba. If an employer hires an employee who is awaiting Apprenticeship Manitoba Registration approval, the employer as stated above is responsible for covering the insurance for that employee.

*Note: In the event the employer has hired an employee but has not yet registered the employee with the Workers Compensation Board and an accident occurs, the WCB will still cover the employee as most trades are mandatory for WCB coverage.

For more information, visit Workers Compensation Board and download fact sheet for Apprenticeship employers and/or apprentices

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17. Hairstylist, Esthetician & Electrologist FAQ's

These trades require compulsory apprenticeship training, meaning that to legally work in Manitoba, you must be a registered apprentice or a certified journeyperson.

1. What is the certification process?
2. How long is an apprenticeship?
3. Are there any other licensing requirements?
4. What is an employer's training obligations?
5. How many apprentices can be trained at one time?
6. Does the person training an apprentice need to be certified?
7. How do you complete a Report of Hours form?
8. What is the pay for an apprentice Hairstylist, Esthetician, and Electrologist?
9. Can overtime hours count towards required apprenticeship time?
10. Is there any information available to help train an apprentice?

1. What is the certification process?

An individual may become a registered apprentice while enrolled in, or after having successfully completed, training at an accredited institution. They are required to find an employer who will agree to provide practical skills development and enter into an apprenticeship agreement with them. After Apprenticeship Manitoba registers the Apprenticeship Agreement, the apprentice must complete the required number of technical training hours (if they are still enrolled in an accredited training institution) and practical experience hours and pass any required examinations. Any hours worked before an Apprenticeship Agreement is registered by Apprenticeship Manitoba are acquired illegally and are not counted toward completion of apprenticeship training.

*Esthetician Trade: In addition to the above, students who have completed technical training and attained 90% or higher on the Manitoba Esthetician, Nail Technician, or Skin Care Technician Practical Examination and who cannot secure a supervised position with a certified journeyperson can apply for a Temporary Permit from Apprenticeship Manitoba to accumulate practical experience hours in their trade without supervision.

Trades Qualification: Non-certified clients from another province or country who seek certification in Manitoba can use their work experience for eligibility to challenge the practical and provincial or interprovincial written certification exams. Upon successful completion of both, with a minimum mark of 70%, the client will receive certification and attain journeyperson status.

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2. How long is an apprenticeship?

For the trade of Hairstylist, the apprenticeship program is two years and requires 3,000 hrs (or 1,500 /yr) of practical on-the-job learning and 1400 hours of technical in-school learning.

For the trade of Electrologist, the apprenticeship program is one year and requires 1000 hrs of practical on-the job training and 500 hrs. of technical in-school learning.

For the trade of Esthetician and its subtrades training is as follows:

• An apprentice who trains for Skin Care Technician AND Nail Technician is called an Esthetician and the two year apprenticeship program consists of 3,200 hrs (or 1600 hours per year) practical on-the-job training and 800 hrs of technical in-school learning.
• Nail Technician – One year apprenticeship program consisting of 1000 hrs practical on-the-job training and 400 hrs of technical in-school learning.
• Skin Care Technician – Two year apprenticeship program consisting of 2,200 hrs ( or 1,100/yr) practical on-the-job training and 1,060 technical in-school learning.

In two-year apprenticeships, at the end of the first year and completion of hour requirements, an apprentice takes a practical examination and must score at least 70%. At the end of the second year and hour requirements, an apprentice writes a final theory exam and must again score at least 70% to qualify for a Certificate of Qualification.

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3. Are there any other licensing requirements?

For the trades of Hairstylist, Skin Care Technician, Nail Technician, Esthetician and Electrologist, with the Certificate of Qualification, Apprenticeship Manitoba also issues an Authorization to Practise which must be renewed every two years.
* A specified number of hours is not required as a condition for renewal.

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4. What is an employer's training obligations?

When you make an offer of employment to an individual who has completed institutional training, you (or the certified journeyperson who will provide training), and the apprentice complete an Apprenticeship Application Agreement, available on-line or from Apprenticeship Manitoba. The apprentice returns the application to Apprenticeship Manitoba. You and your apprentice receive a copy of the registered agreement.

The apprenticeship agreement between an employer and an apprentice is governed by the Apprenticeship and Certification Act. Copies of the regulations for the trades of Hairstylist, Esthetician or Electrologist are available on-line.

The certified journeyperson training an apprentice should:

• provide a safe learning environment and offer a well-rounded, practical trade training experience
• foster a work ethic conducive to training while minimizing productivity losses
• provide fair and equitable treatment of all employees and recognize and reward excellence
• provide appropriate supervision and honest feedback
• break tasks down into manageable components

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5. How many apprentices can be trained at one time?

The supervision ratio for the trades of Esthetician and Electrologist is one supervising Journeyperson to one apprentice- 1:1.

The supervision ratio for the trade of Hairstylist allows for one supervising Journeyperson to two apprentices (regulation to expire and return to 1:1 April 30, 2014).

An employer may apply to the Executive Director of Apprenticeship to change this ratio. The application is reviewed and a decision made on a case-by-case basis.

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6. Does the person training an apprentice need to be certified?

Yes. You or your trainer must be certified and hold a valid Authorization to Practise. To legally work in these trades, individuals must be a registered apprentice, or be certified (with the exception of the Temporary Permit for Esthetician's). If you have staff who are not certified, contact Apprenticeship Manitoba for information on upgrading and certification requirements.

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7. How do you complete a Report of Hours (blue book)?

To verify the number of practical hours needed for a Certificate of Qualification, you or your journeyperson must calculate the hours your apprentice works and enter these hours in the Report of Hours (blue book). Every six months your apprentice must submit the updated form to Apprenticeship Manitoba. After recording these hours, Apprenticeship Manitoba will return the blue book. Only the hours documented and verified in the Report count towards the hours required. Review section on the Apprentice Training Package.

If your apprentice leaves your business, you, as the employer must update the Report of Hours. The apprentice then sends the form to Apprenticeship Manitoba.

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8. What is the pay for an apprentice Hairstylist, Esthetician and Electrologist?

The regulations for the trades of Hairstylist, Esthetician and Electrologist state that the rate of wages for an apprentice shall not be less than the minimum wage plus 10 per cent during the first year and minimum wage plus 20 per cent during the second year. The second year begins on the anniversary date of your apprentice's registration, after your apprentice has completed required hours of work per year.

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9. Can overtime hours count towards required apprenticeship time?

Yes. Overtime hours can count towards the hours needed to complete a level of training. However, overtime hours cannot be used to reduce the number of months your apprentice must spend in each level.

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