There are many benefits to being a Merit member and the services that the Association offers are diverse and can meet many of your areas of need.

Recruitment Assistance

Merit's recruiting website, www.constructionjobstores.com, allows construction workers to view job postings, apply for a specific job and post their resumes on-line. Merit member companies can post an unlimited number of employment opportunities on the site at no cost.

Tuition Refund Program

The Tuition Refund Program reimburses up to 100% of the tuition costs for Merit member employees (restrictions do apply). If you, the employer, are paying the tuition costs for your apprentice, you may be eligible for the reimbursement (tuition only- does not include ancillary fees such as books and parking).

Training

Merit strongly believes in a skilled workforce and to actively participate in training programs. Merit offers Merit members and their employees a variety of training opportunities throughout the year.

Access to RAP students

The Registered Apprenticeship Program (RAP) program is a high school program of applied workplace learning for high school students wanting a career in construction trades. It is an Alberta Education approved off-campus program where high school students start learning a trade, earning high school credits and acquiring hours as RAP apprentices. RAP students are in grades 10 to 12, recommended by teachers and have completed various safety courses, such as CSTS, First Aid and CPR.

RAP is a year-round program with an emphasis on summer work. However, many RAP students work full-time one semester and return to high school for a second semester of academic course work.

Benefits to participating in the RAP program

Employers who participate in the program play a significant role in a young person's career as a mentor or coach. Employing eager and motivated students has many advantages, including:

• Training skilled workers to replace an aging workforce
• Pre-screening future workers and ensuring quality of apprenticeship is maintained
• Participating in the student's educational program and supporting a stay-in-school program
• Minimizing training costs

What you need to know

Students have teacher advisors who maintain ongoing contact with employers/supervisors to ensure the program is a benefit to both students and employers

Employers are not required to pay RAP students for their first 125 hours. However, employers are encouraged to provide a (tool) voucher or honorarium at the end of the three-week period.

Students are entitled to receive pay after the first 125 hours.

Students provide their own basic PPE (boots, gloves, etc.) and are expected to purchase basic tools once they start getting paid.

RAP students are not required to participate in the Merit Benefit Plan.

Students are subject to discipline, including termination if they do not meet employer expectations of performance or behaviour.

Alberta Education pays WCB premiums for RAP students.

Get involved

Contact Graeme with Merit Contractors Association in Calgary.

Advocacy

Merit is dedicated to promoting and supporting sound legislation in the areas of labour relations, workers standards, working conditions, apprenticeship training and unemployment compensation for employees in the construction industry.