A new national Youth Apprenticeship Council has been established to bring youth leadership directly into decisions shaping Canada’s skilled trades and apprenticeship system.
The inaugural Council includes 11 young apprenticeship leaders representing regions from Yukon Territory to British Columbia to Newfoundland and Labrador. Members include current apprentices working across diverse trades and industries.
The Council is an initiative of the Canadian Apprenticeship Forum (CAF), Canada’s national voice for apprenticeship. It was created to ensure youth perspectives are formally integrated into research, policy discussions, and sector leadership conversations.
At a time when Canada faces skilled labour shortages and growing pressure to modernize workforce development, the Council ensures that young people navigating the system today are helping shape how it evolves tomorrow.
“Young apprentices experience the system in real time,” said France Daviault, CAF CEO. “They understand where it works and where it breaks down. This Council ensures their perspective informs national dialogue and system improvement.”
The Youth Apprenticeship Council will:
- Identify barriers affecting youth recruitment, retention, and completion;
- Contribute to research and national consultations;
- Serve as regional ambassadors within their sectors;
- Strengthen connections between youth, employers, educators, and decision makers.
The Council brings together young apprentices from across Canada to ensure youth perspectives help shape the future of apprenticeship. Over the coming weeks, CAF will introduce the inaugural members of the Council, representing regions across the country from Yukon to Newfoundland and Labrador. Information about the Council’s structure, mandate and development opportunities will also be shared as the initiative launches, reinforcing transparency and encouraging future apprenticeship leaders.
About the Canadian Apprenticeship Forum
The Canadian Apprenticeship Forum is a national organization that brings together employers, labour, educators, equity partners, and governments to strengthen Canada’s apprenticeship system through research, collaboration, and policy dialogue.
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