Peace River MLA, Dan Williams is on the Skilled Trades Committee that has been looking to revamp the old act. Bill 67, the Skilled Trades and Apprenticeship Education Act, was tabled last week in the legislature and the last time the act was updated was in 1991.
Williams tells the Trending 55 Newsroom that he feels a trades ticket is equivalent to post-secondary education. “I think that trade certificates should have every amount of value, worth and merit as an undergraduate degree,” says Williams.
“I think the folks that go through and get that skilled trades education of any kind are just as knowledgeable, if not more knowledgeable, in terms of understanding the real life world, than the folks who end up getting an undergraduate degree.”
The goal is to expand apprenticeship opportunities into new careers, and could also see trades education applied towards post-secondary credits. Williams says this prospective legislation will give students more practical skills. “I am not a fan of subsidizing basket weaving and I think the most important thing we can do is make sure our focus is on tangible skills, real life skills,” he explains.
Williams also spoke about a video he posted on his Facebook page where he says that blocking access to GraceLife Church west of Edmonton is going too far. He tells us while he is frustrated by the restrictions; he has no intention of disregarding the rules. “I am frustrated at times with the capacity on places of worship, and I bring that up in the legislature as often as I can,” explains Williams. “I think Albertans should follow the rules, and if they want to speak up, they can do like I did and make a video saying this is unacceptable.”
Since this week is National Volunteer Week, the UCP MLA referred to volunteers and service as the heart of rural Alberta communities, especially when compared to larger centres. “Pound for pound, no one cares about a community the way rural residents do, and I am particularly proud of the Northwest,” points out Williams. “Often, it’s our grandparents, and great grandparents that first moved here, and new Canadians and Albertans as well that move to the Northwest; they come to be a part of the community and are well received so warmly, and because of that, they give back as well.”
-Erika Rolling, Trending 55 Newsroom
