What are the benefits of hiring an apprentice?
- Training apprentices is the best insurance against future shortages of skilled workers in your firm and the funeral services profession.
- Apprentices are trained by your funeral home’s “mentor” and they inherit the skills and unique values that represent your firm.
- Apprentices learn new skills that help to:
- Increase productivity and quality
- Improve customer satisfaction
- Improve morale by investing in careers and adding value to the job
- How do I find an Apprentice?
- Contact the Funeral Service Association of BC
- Recruit someone you know or who has been recommended to you
- Advertise the position in a local paper or on the FSABC website
Apprenticeship is a partnership of the worker, employer, the Funeral Service Association of BC and the Industry Training Authority. The success of the apprenticeship system is based on the history of cooperation and the willingness of each group to work for the benefit of all.
What does it cost to employ an Apprentice?
Wages for Funeral Service apprenticeships vary according to certain characteristics, i.e. years of school completed, the type of Apprenticeship, etc. A Funeral Service Apprentice is usually paid a training wage or an apprentice wage. You will generally treat the Funeral Service Apprentice in the same way as all your employees in relation to employee benefits and workers’ compensation. As a mentor who has invested in the training of Apprentice, you and your apprentice may sign an employee contract agreement. An on-line Employer Management Toolkit of resources, tools and templates can be downloaded from the FSABC website.
What options do I have in employing an apprentice?
The Funeral Service Association of BC can arrange for you to share a BC Funeral Services Apprentice with another business if you don’t have enough work for an ongoing or full-time position. You can also engage an apprentice part-time while he or she is completing the new Funeral Services Foundation Program. The selection of an apprentice remains up to you in either case,
What are the Program Options?
- Funeral Service Foundation Program (no employment required / theory equivalent to Level One)
- Level One Embalmer & Funeral Director – workplace training and theory – 1800 hrs per level
- Level Two Embalmer & Funeral Director – workplace training and theory – 1800 hrs per level
Where can I find more information:
For additional information refer to the follow sections of this HR Toolkit:
Or contact the Funeral Service Association of BC.
