Supervision of Apprentices in Semiskilled Trades: Program Stipulations and Workplace Realities

The article focuses on discrepancies between institutional stipulations for apprenticeship placement conditions in the Quebec Training for a Semiskilled Trade (TST) program in contrast to socio-environmental realities encountered by students in the workplace. An intervention research study was held in order to integrate Occupational Health and Safety concerns into the training program. The methodological frame used data triangulation, including document analysis, teacher and student interviews and workplace observation. Contrary to program stipulations, most students were guided by several coworkers during apprenticeships. Insufficient access to resources, however, has led to young workers encountering difficulties in getting assistance when needed. The traditional supervisor-apprentice partnership would be best revised to maximize the use of all valuable on-site resources and ensure students develop skills to stay healthy at work.