Red Seal Endorsement, A Relief For Trades People

23 Dec 2010

The Red Seal Program was set up more than 50 years ago to allow trades people qualified for their provincial or territorial certificates to have their skills recognized in other Canadian locations without further examinations being taken. This program is also relevant for newcomers to Canada who are qualified trades people in their home country and want to continue to work in that field in Canada.

As such, every province and territory has its own standards and regulations regarding trades such as electricians, plumbers, carpenters etc. Basing on which, people working within these trades is required to qualify according to their own provincial requirements. And if they had to move to another province and work, the regulations would differ and working within that trade would be impossible.

The Red Sea Program allows people who have become certified journey persons to get Red Seal endorsement by completing an interprovincial Red Seal examination thus allowing them to work anywhere in Canada.

Under the guidance of the Canadian Council of Directors of Apprenticeship (CCDA), there are over 50 trades recognized by the program which is administered by each province and territory.

Each trade is given a national occupation analysis which identifies all the tasks performed by that trade. If a person can prove that they meet the requirements laid out they can apply for the Red Seal examination and upon passing gain Red Seal endorsement.