Friday, November 29, 2024

CAF Survey Examines Barriers and Pathways to Success

It has been said that the final step in the journey can often be the most challenging. This rings true for many apprentices as they prepare for, schedule, and complete their Certificate of Qualification exam.

All exams can be stressful, nerve-wracking, and make you generally want to crawl under a rock and hide for a year, but something about how much weight the C of Q places on one’s future career can be even more terrifying for some.

For this reason, the Canadian Apprenticeship Forum (CAF) conducted a survey that worked to determine what apprentices in the Skilled Trades really need to feel prepared to take this enormous step in their career.

About the Survey Respondents

The survey was available online from October 2023 to January 2024 and gathered data from a total of 1062 respondents. Of these respondents, 47% were Registered Apprentices, and 53% were Certified Journeypersons., and most of these respondents indicated that they were from either New Brunswick (31%), Ontario (23%), or British Columbia (10%).

Over 52 trades were represented in the survey results - which is huge! The largest portion of this was Construction Electricians who made up 15% of the resulting respondents. Agricultural Equipment Technicians were second, making up 12% of the respondents, and in third was Automotive Service Technicians who made up 8% of the total respondents.

CAF also looked at the identity of respondents, which included asking participants whether they identified with an Equity Priority Group. The available options were

Indigenous Peoples (including First Nations, Metis, or Inuit)
Visible Minority
Newcomer or Refugee (within last 5 years)
Person with a disability or chronic health condition
none of the above; and prefer not to answer.

For this section, 51% of respondents indicated that they did not identify with an Equity Priority Group. Of those identifying as part of one or more groups, 24% identified as Indigenous Peoples (including First Nations, Metis, or Inuit), followed closely by respondents who identified as a Visible Minority (15%), and those who identified as a Newcomer or Refugee (6%).

What type of questions were asked?

The survey conducted by CAF asked respondents about a plethora of study topics, including their

preferred format of learning materials,
study habits,
supports accessed when preparing for an exam,
barriers,
exam anxiety,
number of exam attempts,
accommodations, and
perceptions of certification and the Red Seal endorsement.

Based on these specific topics, CAF then analyzed the data on the most common and useful study methods, and the associations between one’s personal barriers and the number of attempts it took them to successfully complete it.

Exam Preparedness Results

One major part of the survey was used to determine what study methods were most preferred by apprentices as they prepared for their exam. A large portion of respondents (35%) indicated that they began studying a few weeks before the exam, closely followed by 29% of respondents who began studying one week before their exam date.

Even though most respondents (39%) indicated that they experienced some anxiety as they prepared for their exam, a whopping 80% of respondents passed the first time they took the exam, while 13% passed on their second try, and 5% on their third. Great job, everyone!

According to the survey, most respondents believe that they struggled in their study habits because they have troubles with online learning (32%), and they were struggling to find the time to study (31%). 27% also indicated that the theory is too difficult, and 16% reported that the workload is too high to handle.

As well, the survey found that it was more common for those that identified as an Equity Priority Group member to require more than one attempt at the exam. 33% of Equity Priority Group members needed another attempt compared to only 13% of non-Equity Priority Group members. This shows that sometimes there are barriers in place that are out of our individual control, and these barriers are worth looking at in a broader scope to see how we can help support these groups for future testing.

But what are the common exam strategies? And are there any supports to help you succeed?

The most common exam prep strategies are

45% - seeking help from an instructor or tutor after class
33% - looking online for trade-related information
29% - attending a study group with other apprentices
25% - completing the exam practice questions, exam breakdown, or self assessment online

The most common exam supports used were

40% - learning strategies to tackle multiple choice exam formats
38% - attending an online Red Seal preparation workshop
37% - using trade specific videos that break down complex questions easily
33% - reading up on specific content that relates to what apprentices’ struggle with the most
29% - attending an in-person workshop on how to study best

The most common accommodations received were

40% - extra tutoring
25% - extra time on the exam
29% - having a reader for the exam
26% - using learning assistive devices
17% - counselling
9% - physical aids

All of these are great study methods and supports – but it’s important to note that what works for someone else may not be what works for you. It’s best to determine how you learn, and then use that knowledge about yourself to study in a way that works for you.

What Does This All Mean?

All in all, this survey provides a snapshot that shows that you are never alone. Many apprentices experience the same stress, anxiety, and uncertainty as they approach their certifying exam. But even more than that, most individuals who put in the time and the effort and take advantage of the supports that are out there, do pass the test on their first go.

And if you don’t pass the first time? Try, try again.

CAF Survey Examines Barriers and Pathways to Success

You might be interested in