Society's further submissions from November 2012 - The Advocates ...

TAS Submissions Respecting theFinal Report of the LSUC’s Articling Task Forcerelatively short period, likely two years or less, given the size of the sample for assessment purposesof 3400 candidates.25. This assessment process raises another concern of TAS that the proposed cooperative workplacement component offers the potential of skewing any objective assessment of the relativemerits of each of the classroom training and workplace training tiers. This is because the assessorsmay be unable to conclusively determine if the competency in the skill tested by a successful LLPcandidate was the result of the classroom training component or the workplace training componentof the LPP.Number of Candidates Affected26. Paragraph 18 of the Final Report states that the rising (and irreversible) statistic of unplacedcandidates for articling is well-known. In March 2008, 5.8% of candidates were unplaced. By March2011, it had risen to 12.1%. As of March 2012 and while the LSUC Articling Task Force wascompleting its consultation with the profession, the percentage had risen to approximately 15% ofapproximately 1700 candidates, and that the overall number and percentage has increased yearover year and will continue to increase.27. Based on the proposed date of introduction of the pilot project LPP in 2014-2015, the candidateswho have been to date unable to secure an articling position will be given a first opportunity tobecome eligible to qualify through an alternative LPP process no sooner than another three yearstime. As stated above, TAS considers that this is an unjustifiably long period of time for thesecandidates to remain without relief. And also as stated above, the Final Report offers no possibilityof any form of interim relief for such candidates who continue to be foreclosed from gaining entryto the profession because of market conditions unrelated to their ability to meet licensingstandards.28. The Final Report projects the number of 400 candidates in the first LPP. That number appears to bevery conservative to TAS based on the statistics otherwise provided in the Final Report. Whateverthe actual number turns out to be, Convocation is being advised in the Final Report that it will begreater than the current number of candidates who do not have articling placement.—6—