Toronto, Ontario — December 23, 2014
The Collision Industry Information Assistance (CIIA) is urging employers to ensure their apprentices hold membership at the Ontario College of Trades.
In a release, the CIIA stated 233 collision repair and auto body apprentices are working in shops across the province without having paid the $60 annual membership fee. As a result, their training agreement was suspended on September 19, and will be cancelled if the outstanding fee is not paid by January 1, 2015.
Following January 1, any apprentices working without a valid signed training agreement will be doing so illegally, with employers subject to investigation and prosecution, including fines and possible charges.
The CIIA is reminding employers that their apprentices must be legally registered, a member of the College, and have paid their member dues to retain their apprentice status. Failure to do so will result in the need for the apprentice and employer to re-register.
Employers may also want to look into missed training opportunities generally offered at no charge to apprentices at community colleges.
For more information, or to ensure an apprentice possesses a valid training agreement, please call the Ontario College of Trades at 1-855-299-0028.
For more information on the CIIA, please visit CIIA.com, or call 1-866-309-4272.
