Canada Skilled Trades and Apprenticeship program
Tradespeople are vital to Canada’s economy. They develop standards and exams for Red Seal trades. A tradesperson who passes the Red Seal exam receives a Red Seal endorsement. The Red Seal is proof that a tradesperson has met the national standard in their trade. Through this process, the tradesperson will be able to find a suitable job in the relevant trade reducing his processing time and job serach time.
The skills trade Standard outlines everything that a tradesperson needs to know about their trade. This includes:
- trade activities (tasks and sub-tasks)
- skills and knowledge requirements
- summary of essential skills
- safety information
- trends affecting the trade
- technical terms
- names of tools and equipment
- acronyms
Please note that applicants can choose to apply at the respective Province of Canada.
Follow your passion. Find your skilled trade
Skilled trades are in high demand, rewarding, and essential to communities across Canada. Choosing a career in the skilled trades gives you the freedom to turn what you love into what you do.
Find your skilled trade
The skilled trades are an exciting career choice and many are in high demand. Career paths in the skilled trades are full of potential, with more than 300 designated trades to choose from in Canada. Of those, 54 can have a Red Seal Trade designation. Generally, skilled tradespeople work in one of these sectors:
- Construction is a multi-billion-dollar industry in Canada that offers high demand careers. It features electricians, carpenters, plumbers, steamfitters/pipefitters, welders, heavy equipment operators, and painters, among other trades.
- Transportation includes maintenance and repair of vehicles – ranging from automobiles and motorcycles, to trucks and heavy equipment. Transportation includes trades such as automotive service technicians, heavy-duty equipment technicians, motorcycle technicians, and more.
- Manufacturing and Industrial features careers in many different manufacturing sectors, including automotive (parts and vehicle manufacturing), product manufacturing, and the resource extraction and processing industries. Manufacturing trades include tool and die makers, industrial mechanics (millwrights), metal fabricators, and more.
- The Services sector is a major industry in the Canadian economy and includes cooks, bakers, hairstylists, landscape horticulturists, and more.
- Information and Digital Technology skills are central to many trades including instrumentation and control technicians, and machinists.
In-demand skilled trades across Canada
Over 256,000 new apprentices are needed over the next 5 years to meet demand in Canada.
In-demand Red Seal trades expected from 2022 to 2026:
- Cook
In-demand skilled trades by region
- Alberta
- Automotive Service Technician
- Carpenter
- Cook
- Industrial Mechanic (Millwright)
- Welder
- British Columbia
- Hairstylist
- Industrial Electrician
- Painter and Decorator
- Steamfitter/Pipefitter
- Welder
- Manitoba
- Cook
- Industrial Electrician
- Industrial Mechanic (Millwright)
- Painter and Decorator
- Welder
- Ontario
- Cook
- Heavy Duty Equipment Technician
- Industrial Electrician
- Painter and Decorator
- Welder
More provinces are also applicable. More occupations are also in demand. only 5 for each are chosen at this point. For more details, kindly contact ZED Global Consultants.