WORKING IN A TRADE

Requirements to work in a trade

To work in a designated trade in Alberta, a person must:

• be a registered apprentice,
• hold a trade certificate issued in Alberta,
• hold a recognized trade certificate (see Recognized Trade Certificates), or
• hold an Alberta equivalency document,

OR in some trades:

• work for an employer who is satisfied that the worker has the skills and knowledge expected of a certified journeyperson, or be self-employed.

If a person is going to work in any designated trade in Alberta but needs to learn the trade, the person must be a registered apprentice.

What is a registered apprentice?

A registered apprentice is a person who is participating in an Alberta Apprenticeship Program under a contract of apprenticeship that is registered with Apprenticeship and Industry Training, Enterprise and Advanced Education. 

What is a trade certificate issued in Alberta?

Trade certificates issued in Alberta include those issued under the Apprenticeship and Industry Training Act and those issued under previous legislation that governed training and certification in designated trades.  They include:

• Alberta Journeyman Certificate
  
  An Alberta Journeyman Certificate is granted to a person who successfully completes an Alberta apprenticeship program.
  
  
• Alberta Qualification Certificate
  
  A person who has no trade certification but can prove that their skills and work experience meet the industry standards set for certification in Alberta may apply for certification under the Qualification Certificate Program.  A person who holds a trade credential from another jurisdiction may be eligible to apply for Alberta certification under this program as well. 
  
  
• Alberta Certificate of Proficiency
  
  
• Alberta Certificate of Qualification
  
  
• Alberta Certificate of Completion of Apprenticeship
  
  These are certificates that were issued before 1992 under previous Alberta legislation called the Manpower Development Act.  
  
  Certificates issued under legislation before the Manpower Development Act (The Apprenticeship Act, The Tradesmen’s Qualification Act and The Welding Act) are also trade certificates issued in Alberta.

What is a recognized trade certificate?

A recognized trade certificate is a certificate in a designated trade or occupation issued by a regulatory authority* in Canada that is recognized in Alberta.  Recognized certificates include:

• a valid certificate with an Interprovincial Standards Red Seal. 
  
  Many trades that are designated in Alberta participate in the Interprovincial Standards Red Seal Program.
  
  In these trades, a person who has a valid certificate bearing a Red Seal granted under the Interprovincial Standards Red Seal Program may work in Alberta without further training or examinations.  An Alberta certificate is not required.  An equivalency document is not required and is not available for these certificates.

• a valid certificate without a Red Seal in a Red Seal trade issued by a regulatory authority. 
  
  In these trades, a person who has a valid and recognized certificate may work in Alberta without further training or examination.  An Alberta certificate is not required.  An equivalency document is available, on application.

• a valid certificate issued in a non-Red Seal trade by a regulatory authority or  recognized specifically by the Alberta Apprenticeship and Industry Training Board. 
  
  In these trades, a person who has a valid and recognized certificate may work in Alberta without further training or examination.  An Alberta certificate is not required.  An equivalency document is available, on application.

*Note: “Regulatory authority” refers to a government department or agency, or an organization with authority delegated by law, that establishes standards or requirements for certification, assesses workers’ qualifications, or issues certificates or licenses indicating a person met those standards.  In most cases, the regulatory authority for the trades is the same authority that issues the Red Seal endorsement.

What is an Alberta equivalency document?

An Alberta equivalency document is not a trade certificate.  It is a document that indicates a person holds a trade certificate from another jurisdiction and confirms that the holder is permitted or authorized to work in a specific trade.  Newer documents are in the form of a wallet-sized card that reference the holder’s original certificate number.  Older documents were called ‘Journeyman Equivalency”.

A person who holds a recognized certificate that does not have a red seal may apply for an equivalency document under the Equivalency Program.

What is a designated trade?

A designated trade is a trade that:

• has been designated by the Alberta government (Lieutenant Governor in Council) on the recommendation of the Minister of Enterprise and Advanced Education, the Alberta Apprenticeship and Industry Training Board and industry, and
• is administered under Alberta’s Apprenticeship and Industry Training Act and associated regulations.

The legislation provides for apprenticeship programs and certification of tradespeople as evidence that their skills and knowledge meet the industry-established standards for the trade.

There are 49 designated trades in Alberta. For a list of the trades and detailed information about each one, see Trades & Occupations.

Trade careers – a smart choice!

Trades careers have a lot going for the skilled men and women who work in them, more than most of them imagined when they first started out!

• many trades offer the right kind of challenge as they are highly technical, involve math and science, and are changing quickly
• a trade career can lead to supervision, management, the professions and business entrepreneurship
• most tradespeople can write a 'Red Seal' exam and earn an Interprovincial Standards Red Seal on their trade certificate.  The Red Seal is widely recognized and respected by industry as a standard of excellence
• pay rates vary; generally they are good
• while some trades occasionally are affected by temporary economic slowdowns, the aging workforce means an overall increase in future demand for skilled tradespeople. Employers need people with the right skills!

Opportunities for journeypeople

Journeypeople make great mentors!

Journeypersons have learned the skills of their trade and have met the high standards set by industry.  Now, they can help apprentices to develop the same skills by supervising and coaching apprentices in the on-the-job training and work experience component of their apprenticeship program.

Journeypeople know the industry!

A journeyperson's knowledge of his/her trade and desire to see it constantly improving are essential.  Journeypersons are invited to share their thoughts, ideas and suggestions with members of the local or provincial apprenticeship committees for that trade.  These committees are involved in setting standards for the required skills and competencies in that trade.  They also develop technical training course content and identify areas of their trade in need of improvement.

Better yet – think about becoming a member! If you have the time and qualifications, apply to become a member of a local apprenticeship committee (LAC) or provincial apprenticeship committee (PAC) and share your knowledge and experience today!

For more information, see Industry Committees.

Journeypeople mean business!

Opportunities exist for journeypersons to supervise or manage people or businesses.  A great way to prepare for, or enhance, these management duties is to obtain an 'Achievement in Business Competencies Blue Seal'.  The Alberta Apprenticeship and Industry Training Board designed the Blue Seal program to provides an opportunity for journeypersons to earn a business credential that is recognized by employers.