INTRODUCTION
About CAF-FCA
The Canadian Apprenticeship Forum-Forum canadien sur l’apprentissage (CAF-FCA) is a national, not-for-profit organization working with stakeholders in all regions of Canada. We influence pan-Canadian apprenticeship strategies through research, discussion and collaboration – sharing insights across trades, across sectors and across the country – to promote apprenticeship as an effective model for training and education. Our Board of Directors is comprised of representatives of business, labour, the jurisdictional apprenticeship authorities, education and equity-seeking groups. Through our work, CAF-FCA has shed light on a number of key issues affecting apprenticeship, such as the perceived barriers to accessing and completing apprenticeship and the business case for apprenticeship training. For more information, visit the CAF-FCA website at www.caf-fca.org.
Pre-Apprenticeship in Canada
Prior to pursuing an apprenticeship, individuals are offered the opportunity to explore the trades, learn basic skills and gain work experience through pre-apprenticeship programs. A variety of terms are used across the country to refer to these programs. For example: ‘foundations programs’ in British Columbia, ‘pre-employment’ in Manitoba and ‘pre-apprenticeship’ in Ontario. The majority of pre-apprenticeship programs are open to all learners. These programs are not a requirement in most jurisdictions, but are a common entry pathway for many learners in the trades, especially those from equity priority groups. The most common components of these programs include:
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- Essential skills (also known as Skills for Success)
- Safety training
- Personal and professional development
- Hands-on skills development
- Job shadowing
- Employer contacts and interview preparation
- Work placement.
Apprenticeship in Canada
Apprenticeship training is a post-secondary option that offers advanced technical skills through a combination of practical, on-the-job work experience and intensive technical instruction. Generally, apprenticeship is an agreement between an apprentice and an employer whereby the apprentice agrees to work for the employer in exchange for extensive, supervised, on-the-job experience. As well, the employer agrees to release the apprentice to attend technical training. In all jurisdictions outside of Quebec, the technical portion of apprenticeship, usually taken at a community college, a union-sponsored training centre or at an accredited private training facility, is taken with alternating periods of on-the-job training. In Quebec, all formal technical training for apprentices is done at the secondary school or college level and must be completed before apprentices can begin the workplace on-the-job training. The nominal duration of an apprenticeship is four years. In Canada, the provinces and territories oversee apprenticeship and there are 13 different systems, all with unique regulations and requirements.
Red Seal Program
The Red Seal Program is the Canadian industry standard of excellence for the skilled trades. Tradespersons who meet the Red Seal standard receive a Red Seal endorsement on their provincial/territorial trade certificates. The program facilitates inter-jurisdictional collaboration in support of developing a certified, highly skilled and mobile trades workforce in Canada. There are currently 50 plus Red Seal trades. Red Seal trades with a significant number of apprentices include electrician, plumber, carpenter, hairstylist, automotive service, cook, welder, heavy-duty equipment mechanic, heavy equipment and crane operator.[1]
The Red Seal endorsement is acquired by writing an approved examination and attaining a minimum mark of 70 per cent. Candidates for examination must have acquired the pre-requisite training and work experience for the trade before attempting the final certification examinations.
BACKGROUND
CAF-FCA would like to collaborate with Indigenous partners and an Indigenous researcher on a project about Skills for Success.[2] Examples of Skills for Success include reading, writing, problem solving, numeracy, digital, creativity and innovation, communication, collaboration and adaptability. By participating in interviews, Indigenous partners will have an opportunity to share their unique approach to Skills for Success and pre-apprenticeship programming that may differ from other models and approaches. The results from 50 interviews will be summarized into a report and shared with apprenticeship stakeholders during a webinar and event.
This project builds upon previous work CAF-FCA did related to evaluating success in pre-apprenticeship. In 2019 and 2020, CAF-FCA developed a framework and tools for evaluating success in pre-apprenticeship programming.[3] During the consultations, Indigenous partners spoke about the importance of holistic approaches that consider the well-being of the individual learner and community rather than solely skill-based models. Indigenous partners believed facilitating strong relationships with community leaders and elders and with external partners such as employers, unions and colleges creates a community of support for the learner. Although employment can be one goal, they suggested that measures of “success” are often too narrowly defined as just relating to employment and do not consider the variety of ways individuals may apply their skills to help their family and community members. This project will provide Indigenous partners an opportunity to discuss these alternate approaches.
PURPOSE AND OBJECTIVES
The project’s specific objective is to identify holistic models and measures of success that reflect the reality of Indigenous people’s lived experiences.
FRAMEWORK AND METHODOLOGY
Proponents are invited to bid as individual researchers or as a consortium of bidders. The contractor will conduct 50 interviews and will write a report. The contractor will participate in 1 webinar and 1 in-person event in Ottawa, Ontario. CAF-FCA is open to considering alternate approaches other than interviews if the contractor has suggestions that would better accommodate the Indigenous partners such as in-person meetings with some interviewees or group discussions rather than one-on-one sessions. Any alternate approach has to be implemented within the existing budget.
The work will be guided by the Project Advisory Committee. The members of the Committee have not been finalized, but will most likely include Indigenous partners that are connected to CAF-FCA.
More specifically, the contractor will be expected to do the following:
Activities:
Months 1 to 4
- Create an interview guide to capture insights about key components, models and approaches that support Skills for Success programming for Indigenous learners and communities;
- Document feedback from the Project Advisory Committee when they review the interview guide; and
- Revise and finalize the interview guide.
Months 5 to 8
Months 9 to 12
- Analyze interview findings; and
- Write a draft report documenting the holistic models and inclusion framework that support completion and retention in the skilled trades.
Months 13 to 16
- Have the Project Advisory Committees provide feedback on the draft report; and
- Revise and finalize the report.
Months 17 to 20
- Participate in a webinar and share the findings with apprenticeship stakeholders including employers, unions, college educators and Indigenous organizations;
- Participate in an Ottawa based event with 100 apprenticeship stakeholders to share the findings from the research;
DELIVERABLES
The following deliverables will be expected at various stages of the project:
- Work plan (1 Workplan)
- The contractor will provide a detailed work plan outlining activities, objectives and timelines for the research instruments creation, data analysis and reporting. All plans are subject to revision.
- Presentations and meetings with Project Manager and Stakeholders (2 presentations)
- The contractor will meet with the CAF-FCA Project Manager virtually to discuss the work plan and establish a schedule of regular meetings and progress reports. All aspects of communication with respect to the ongoing activities will be discussed.
- The contractor will attend all Project Advisory meetings and calls as required, to be scheduled upon the completion of major milestones such as completion of the research instruments and report.
- The contractor will present the findings during 1 webinar on Zoom on a date that is mutually convenient for the contractor and CAF-FCA.
- The contractor will present the findings during 1 in-person event in Ottawa, Ontario on a date that is mutually convenient for the contractor and CAF-FCA.
- Research Instruments and Report (1 Interview Guide, 1 Report)
- The contractor will conduct the interviews and write the report.
- The contractor will revise the report based on feedback from the Project Advisory Committee.
- CAF-FCA reserves the right to make adjustments to reports prior to their publication.
CAF-FCA will be responsible for the translation of the research instruments and the report.
CAF-FCA will be responsible for the graphic design of the report.
The contractor will pay for the travel to Ottawa out of the existing budget.
TIMEFRAME
The contract will be administered from August 2, 2023 to February 20, 2025.
BUDGET
The budget for this project is not to exceed $75,000 (excluding HST). This maximum amount includes all professional fees including any expenses associated with travel, including the 1 in-person trip to Ottawa, Ontario. CAF-FCA will sign a firm, fixed price contract that is all-inclusive. Proponents are asked to provide a line-by-line detailed budget in their proposal.
ROLES, RESPONSIBILITIES AND REPORTING STRUCTURE
Contractor
- Create an interview guide
- Conduct interviews
- Write report
- Reports to the Project Manager
- Liaises and works closely with the Project Manager throughout the course of the project and immediately reports any problems that may alter the timing or scope of the project
Project Manager
- Coordinates with the contractor
- Ensures the contractor completes the work as specified in the terms of reference
- Reports to the Project Advisory Committee, the Research Committee, the Board of Directors and the CEO during the course of the project
- Oversees all logistics for meetings
- Provides minutes from meetings
- Maintains all contractual reporting requirements with respect to the Contribution Agreement
- Provides the overall guidance and direction of the research to the contractors throughout the life of the project
- Approves the project work plan, interim and final reports
- Provides feedback and input on the reports
- Oversees graphic design and translation of materials and reports
INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY
Copyright of all research instruments, raw data and reports, including all drafts and interim reports, produced will rest with CAF-FCA. The content, data or insights provided for CAF-FCA’s project will not be used for another purpose or shared with another client without CAF-FCA’s express written permission.
PROPOSAL REQUIREMENTS
The successful bidder will be chosen on the basis of selection criteria determined by CAF-FCA.
Individual researchers may apply or a team of researchers.
A short-list of contractors may be asked to answer questions via telephone before a final selection of the contractor is made.
The proposal must include the following:
- A range of 5 to a maximum of 25 pages in length, using a twelve-point font size
- No additional appendices may be submitted
- The proposal must indicate the contractor’s knowledge and understanding of issues relevant to research project.
- A detailed description of the intended approach.
- A detailed line-by-line budget estimate associated with each stage of the work
- Total number of person-days each contractor employee will contribute to the project and the corresponding rates for each member of the consulting team (if there is a team)
- Professional roles and activities of individual or the team if there is a team involved
- Identification of the management structure within the consulting team, including any planned sub-contractors (if there is a team)
- Communication strategies with respect to the Project Manager.
- A brief profile of the researcher or organization including:
- the years doing research, location and strategic focus of the bidding organization,
- demonstrated experience in working in English and French, if applicable
- the names and résumés of all personnel to be involved in the project, (individuals may apply) and
- references to similar projects completed by the bidding organization.
Bidders are asked to email an electronic file suitable for electronic distribution to
Emily Arrowsmith, Director of Research and Programs, at emily@caf-fca.org. Proposals are to be submitted on or before 11 a.m. (Eastern Daylight Savings Time) on Monday July 31st 2023.
EVALUATION CRITERIA
Proposals will be evaluated based upon the proven ability of the bidders to satisfy the requirements of this RFP in a cost-effective manner. Specific evaluation criteria are:
- Knowledge and experience/Financial 100 points
- Approach 40 points
- Individual or team profile and experience 60 points
Proposals will be evaluated and scored based on quality of response to the requirements of this RFP. Selection of the preferred vendor will be based on the highest score. Proposals must achieve a minimum of 75 per cent in each of the categories. Despite the above, in the event that no proposal meets these scoring minimums, CAF-FCA reserves the right to award a contract to the bidder submitting the highest scoring proposal. CAF-FCA also reserves the right not to award the contract if a suitable vendor cannot be identified.
