Understanding Trades
Compulsory Trades:
Trades are classified as either voluntary or compulsory. The latter requires you to be registered as an apprentice or be a certified journeyperson in order to work in Manitoba. Of the compulsory trades in Manitoba, some require just the Certificate of Qualification or Registered Apprenticeship Agreement while others require an Authorization to Practice alongside the certification credentials.
An Authorization to Practice is issued at the same time as a Certificate of Qualification, and must be renewed every two years to be valid. The certificate must be available in the practicing location if requested, and you cannot legally practice trades that require an Authorization to Practice if you do not possess this authorization. Temporary Authorization to Practice can be granted to individuals who have been approved to take a prescribed exam, have been approved to proceed through the trade qualification process, or are applying to re-instate their Authorization to Practice and are upgrading, as required by the Executive Director of Apprenticeship Manitoba.
The requirement of compulsory certification for a trade is based on a request from the industry, and is decided by the Minister of Jobs and Economy.
The following compulsory trades require either a Registered Apprenticeship Agreement or Certificate of Qualification:
- Construction electrician
- Crane and hoisting equipment operator
- Industrial electrician
- Refrigeration and air conditioning mechanic
- Sprinkler system installer
- Streamfitter-pipefitter
The following compulsory trades require either a Registered Apprenticeship Agreement or Certificate of Qualification and an Authorization to Practice or Temporary Authorization to Practice:
- Electrologist
- Esthetician
- Hairstylist
Red Seal Designated Trades:
The Interprovincial Standards Red Seal program was designed to create national standards of excellence for trades that are common in most provinces and territories. A trade may not have Red Seal status nationally; the designation may vary across provinces based on legislative differences in terms of the scope and definition of the trade. There are currently 57 Red Seal designated trades in Canada.
Benefits of Red Seal Trades:
- The Red Seal is the national standard for excellence in trades.
- The Red Seal is a leading endorsement for tradespersons across Canada, and provides designated individuals an advantage when looking for a career.
- It is a nationally recognized designation, helping tradespersons acquire well-paying jobs.
- Achieving a Certificate of Qualification in a Red Seal trade provides the student with the same amount of knowledge as a college degree.
- People endorsed by the Red Seal obtain extremely valuable and transferable skills, making it an ideal path for those looking to develop their career and those interested in industry mobility.
- Financial support, such as grants, is available for Red Seal designated tradespersons to assist them in receiving their Certificate of Qualification.
There are several initiatives in place to ensure the Red Seal designation continues to be a measure and mark of excellence. These initiatives include working closely with industry stakeholders to explore test enhancements, such as the addition of practical tests and structured interviews with trade experts, to ensure there is a continuous improvement to the Red Seal program.