Work action that has seen faculty at 24 colleges across the province hit the picket line, has left apprentices uncertain about if and when they will be able to complete their training and certification.
The labour dispute affects more than 500,000 students in the province.
Talks broke down between the Ontario Public Services Employees Union (OPSEU) and the College Employer Council, which bargains for the schools.
The two sides were unable to reach an agreement by the deadline of 12:01 a.m. Monday.
READ MORE: Faculty at 24 Ontario colleges on strike
Tim McPherson reached out to Global News, after watching coverage of the strike. His son is poised to begin his first-year plumbing apprenticeship at St. Lawrence College next week.
“We were informed on Friday, pending the strike, if they lost more than one week of time, that their classes this year would be cancelled,” he said over Skype.
His son is registered in a five-year program that includes in-school as well as on-the-job training.
“If your classes are cancelled for the year, then your schooling is basically at the very earliest, the next semester – or even a year away,” said McPherson.
WATCH: Ontario college faculty go on strike
Global News reached out to St. Lawrence College, but they were unable to provide any specific details on a possible contingency plan.
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At Centennial College, the Dean of the School of Transportation, has been fielding several concerns from students.
“With the timing of this work stoppage, we were seven weeks into our first eight-week block of training for the year,” said Alan McClelland.
When asked whether worry about the semester being lost was valid, he replied:
“It is – because there’s uncertainty. We can’t tell people how long the situation is going to last. We can’t tell them exactly what it’s going to look like or how their plans are going to be adjusted.”
WATCH: Ontario college students call for refund as faculty go on strike
McClelland is part of the Heads of Apprenticeship, comprised of all 24 colleges.
“What it may mean for someone over the course of a four to five year apprenticeship, once you add all of the on the job training, is the school that they take, may be under a little bit of a different schedule,” he explained.
“But it really shouldn’t impact when they finish their apprenticeship and write for their licences.”
A statement from Minister of Advanced Education and Skills Development, Deb Matthews reads in part:
“We have heard that students have understandable concerns about the impact this strike may have on their apprenticeship completion track. We are hopeful that an agreement can be found between parties at the bargaining table, ensuring that students can get back to the classroom with few adverse effects…
“However, the ministry has developed a contingency plan to assist apprentices during the strike and has reminded colleges of their responsibility to ensure minimal disruption to apprenticeship training.
“In the event that in-class apprenticeship work is interrupted for a prolonged period because of a strike, the Ministry will to work with clients on a case by case basis to support their training needs. By working with colleges and Training Delivery Agents (TDAs), we would work to ensure that every student would have the opportunity to finish their in-class requirements without incurring unreasonable additional costs…”
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