An extensive body of workplace learning literature documents the changing nature of professional learning, knowledge and work, but the tensions between the distinctive purposes and interests of professions and organizations have not received the same level of attention. The sociology of professions literature in contrast has paid an enormous…

The apprenticeship training system in British Columbia (BC) includes public post-secondary institutions, the Industry Training Authority (ITA), private training institutions, and employers. Currently, apprenticeship training is available in more than 100 trades, including 49 Interprovincial Red Seal trades. The majority of apprenticeship training…

The 2016 Apprenticeship Student Outcomes (APPSO) Survey is the twelfth annual survey of former apprenticeship students. Former students who completed their apprenticeship training at a B.C. post-secondary institution between July 1, 2014 and June 30, 2015 were eligible for this survey. These former students were surveyed by telephone and online…

This paper presents some initial findings from a multi-year project that is exploring the growth of mathematical understanding in a variety of construction trades training programs. In this paper, we focus on John, an entry-level plumbing trainee. We explore his understandings for multiplication, fractions and units of imperial measure as he…