Manitoba Trades Qualifier Application Guide

MANITOBA TRADES QUALIFIER APPLICATION GUIDE2

CONTENTS

PURPOSE OF THE APPLICATION GUIDE ............................................................................ 3

SECTION ONE: OVERVIEW OF THE TRADES QUALIFIER PROCESS ................................. 4

1. Red Seal Certification in Canada ............................................................................ 4

2. Trades Qualifier Certification ................................................................................... 4

Trades Qualifier Certification in Manitoba ............................................................... 5

3. Trades Qualifier Service Code of Conduct.............................................................. 6

4. Trades Qualifier Responsibilities ............................................................................. 7

5. Privacy .................................................................................................................... 7

6. False or misleading information .............................................................................. 7

SECTION TWO: APPLICATION GUIDELINES ....................................................................... 8

1. Completing the Application Package ..................................................................... 8

Section A: Trade ...................................................................................................... 8

Section B: Personal Information ............................................................................. 8

Section C: Relevant Employment Experience ........................................................ 9

Section D: Scope of Trade Declaration ................................................................. 10

Section E: National Qualifications ......................................................................... 11

Section F: Vocational Training ............................................................................... 12

Section G: Statistical information ......................................................................... 12

Section H: Payment Information ........................................................................... 12

Section I: Declaration, Acknowledgement, Authorization and Consent ............... 13

Trade Qualifier Applicant checklist ........................................................................ 13

SECTION THREE: GLOSSARY ........................................................................................... 14

3MANITOBA TRADES QUALIFIER APPLICATION GUIDE

PURPOSE OF THE APPLICATION GUIDE

This guide describes the Canadian Red Seal Trades Qualifier application and assessment process. The document outlines what information you will have to provide, and how it will be verified and assessed, to determine your eligibility to write the Red Seal exam.

Is this the right application for you?

A Trades Qualifier is someone who is experienced in their trade, and is now seeking a Canadian Red Seal endorsement. You might have learned your trade in another country, or in Canada. You might have some vocational training, or have completed a national qualification in another country, or you might have learned your trade solely through work experience.

Prior to submitting a Trades Qualifier application, it is expected that you have been working at a level comparable to a Canadian Certified Red Seal tradesperson in your trade. To learn how your skills will compare against the Red Seal certification standards, take the free self-assessment at https://bc.tradesinfo.ca/?at=6883202.

Not sure what a term used in this guide means? If a term is bolded, look in the Glossary for a definition.

MANITOBA TRADES QUALIFIER APPLICATION GUIDE4

SECTION ONE: OVERVIEW OF THE TRADES QUALIFIER PROCESS

1. Red Seal Certification in CanadaThe Red Seal is Canada’s standard of excellence for the skilled trades. Obtaining a Red Seal endorsement acknowledges a tradesperson’s competence and quality workmanship.

Tradespersons are able to obtain a Red Seal endorsement on their provincial/territorial certificates by successfully completing a Red Seal exam based on common standards across the country. Once you have a Red Seal endorsement, your certificate will be recognized across Canada without further examination.

The Red Seal Program maintains interprovincial standards of qualification for 57 Red Seal trades. Each trade standard is developed from a National Occupational Analysis (NOA) for the trade and is detailed at the task and sub-task level.

The Red Seal Program is a partnership between Canada’s federal, provincial and territorial governments that promotes labour mobility and portability of a tradesperson’s skills. The Red Seal endorsement is widely recognized and supported by industry, and highly valued by employers.

Red Seal standards for the trades can be found at www.red-seal.ca.

2. Trades Qualifier CertificationTo achieve Red Seal endorsement, Trades Qualifiers must:

• complete the Trades Qualifier application and required forms;

• demonstrate they have worked the number of hours required for their trade;

• provide sufficient evidence they have worked at a Red Seal tradesperson level of skills, knowledge and competency, based on the National Occupational Analysis (NOA);

• satisfactorily complete a competency assessment (if required); and

• achieve 70% or higher on the Red Seal examination.

5MANITOBA TRADES QUALIFIER APPLICATION GUIDE

CERTIFICATION PROCESS

PRE-APPLICATION

Website

Trade regulations

Inquiries by email or phone

qAPPLICATION AND ASSESSMENT

Application Form

Employment Experience Form(s)

Scope of Trade Declaration Form

Copies of any certificates, transcripts, etc.

qDECISION (1)

Assessment outcome

qCOMPETENCY EVENT

Technical interview

qTRADE SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS

See Trade Summaries for any Trade Specific Requirements

qDECISION (2)

Eligibility to write Red Seal Exam

qRED SEAL EXAM

Trades Qualifier Certification in Manitoba

The Apprenticeship and Certification Act and Regulations gives Apprenticeship Manitoba the authority to ensure the efficient and effective operation of the apprenticeship system to meet the needs of industry in a timely manner. Apprenticeship Manitoba works closely with the Apprenticeship and Certification Board and the Provincial Advisory Committees in order to develop legislative guidelines in Manitoba for apprenticeship trades and training. These groups provide an effective partnership with industry stakeholders to ensure proper function and operation of Apprenticeship training.

The application and assessment process outlined in these guidelines is only part of the Trades Qualifier certification process. The application and assessment process may be followed by a competency event, and, depending on the trade, by trade specific requirements, before an applicant is deemed eligible to write the Red Seal exam.

PRE-ARRIVALYou can find important information about the Trades Qualifier process, and the practice of your trade in Manitoba at www.gov.mb.ca/wdis/apprenticeship/tradespersons/index.html.

COMPETENCY EVENTA trained assessor or subject matter expert may conduct a technical interview with you to confirm scope of trade.

TRADE SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTSEach jurisdiction has determined a minimum amount of time required for Trades Qualifiers in each trade. The minimum number of hours and years for your trade is listed in the following table.

Any trade specific requirements will be listed under the description of each trade at www.gov.mb.ca/wdis/apprenticeship/discover/mbtrades/index.html.

TRADE HOURSYears of Experience (within last 10 years)

Carpenter 10,800 6

Construction Electrician 10,800 6

Heavy Duty Equipment Technician 10,800 6

SECTION ONE: OVERVIEW OF THE TRADES QUALIFIER PROCESS

MANITOBA TRADES QUALIFIER APPLICATION GUIDE6

ELIGIBILITY TO WRITE THE RED SEAL EXAMIndividuals deemed eligible to attempt the Red Seal exam will be required to submit an Examination Application and pay an additional examination fee. This fee will cover the first attempt at the written exam, after which a $75 fee applies for all subsequent times you schedule the same Red Seal exam. Practical exams, if applicable, have a fee of $75. If you have a disability, ensure that you also complete and submit the Self-Identification for Clients with Disabilities Application Form.

After you have submitted the required documents and have been approved to challenge the exam, you’ll need to start preparing. Apprenticeship Manitoba’s Trades Qualifications office has put together a guide (called the Trades Qualification Learning Supports) to help you prepare for the Interprovincial/Provincial Certification Exam in your trade.

TRADES QUALIFIER FEES • Trades Qualifier application $100

• Red Seal exam $250

• Red Seal exam rewrite $75

• Practical Exam $75

3. Trades Qualifier Service Code of ConductProvincial and territorial Apprenticeship Authorities have committed to a Trade Qualifier Service Code of Conduct.

• Transparency - applicants understand what information they are expected to submit and the assessment criteria;

• Validity - the process by which the qualification has been assessed is sound;

• Reliability - the process results in consistent outcomes;

• Flexibility - the process allows applicants’ with limited evidence to demonstrate their competencies or experience in alternate paths;

• Continuous improvement - the process and tools used are regularly reviewed and adjusted for improvement; and,

• Fairness - the criteria are applied consistently and there is an appeal process.

SECTION ONE: OVERVIEW OF THE TRADES QUALIFIER PROCESS

7MANITOBA TRADES QUALIFIER APPLICATION GUIDE

4. Trades Qualifier ResponsibilitiesAs a Trades Qualifier applicant, you are responsible for:

• Accurately and honestly answering the questions on the Trades Qualifier application

• Submitting a complete Trades Qualifier application, including (where required):

о certified translated documents

о authentic and sufficient evidence to support your claims of training and employment

• Paying the required fee(s)

• Responding to any requests for supplemental information within 30 days

• Completing competency assessment (where required by the apprenticeship authority) such as a technical interview, practical exam, or employer sign off

• Preparing for the Red Seal exam

• Completing the Red Seal exam

5. PrivacyThe Manitoba Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act establishes privacy rules for how the government may collect and use personal information. In keeping with the privacy act, on the Trades Qualifier form, the Apprenticeship Manitoba asks your permission to collect, use and disclose personal information about you in order to administer, monitor and evaluate my application for Trades Qualification.

6. False or misleading informationApprenticeship Manitoba will take reasonable steps to verify the validity of the information you supply in your Trades Qualifier application. You are responsible for ensuring the accuracy and validity of all information provided in the application.

If it is determined at a later date that information you supplied is false, misleading, or incorrect, and that in relying on that information the Apprenticeship Manitoba has incorrectly awarded you a Red Seal, your certificate and Red Seal endorsement may be withdrawn.

SECTION ONE: OVERVIEW OF THE TRADES QUALIFIER PROCESS

MANITOBA TRADES QUALIFIER APPLICATION GUIDE8

SECTION TWO: APPLICATION GUIDELINES

1. Completing the Application PackageThe application has nine sections:

• Section A: Trade

• Section B: Personal Information

• Section C: Relevant Employment Experience

• Section D: Scope of Trade Declaration

• Section E: National Qualifications

• Section F: Vocational Training

• Section G: Statistical Information

• Section H: Payment

• Section I: Declaration, Acknowledgement, Authorization and Consent

Section A: Trade

Determine the Red Seal trade that your qualifications and/or work experience most closely align with.

• Red Seal standards are outlined in the National Occupational Analysis (NOA). These can be found at www.red-seal.ca. Select a Red Seal trade and look at the NOA (under About the Trade) at each block and task level to determine how your skills, abilities and knowledge relate to the Canadian Red Seal standard.

• You can also take a self-assessment at https://bc.tradesinfo.ca/?at=230191 to see how your skills and knowledge match up to the Red Seal standard.

• Once you have determined the Red Seal trade that matches your skills, abilities and knowledge, write the trade name in Section A.

Section B: Personal Information

Complete the required personal data and contact information so we can correspond with you about your application, certification process and results.

• Ensure that the name and address you use is what is found on your government issued identification such as a passport, driver’s license or citizenship card.

• A Social Insurance Number is a nine digit number that you need to work in Canada or to have access to government programs and benefits. If you do not yet have a Canadian Social Insurance Number (e.g. you are an immigration applicant) you may leave this question blank.

ACTION:

φ Record the Trade Name

ACTION:

φ Record your personal information

9MANITOBA TRADES QUALIFIER APPLICATION GUIDE

Section C: Relevant Employment Experience

Before submitting a Trades Qualifier application, it is expected that you are experienced in your trade. Your answers in this section provide information on your employment experience in order to:

• Confirm that you have the minimum number of hours required for certification in your trade; and

• Provide verifiable information on where and when you worked.

STEP ONE – Complete and list Relevant Employment Experience on the Application Form:

• Enter information for each period of relevant experience you intend to use to support your application. Relevant experience means work in your trade; do not include work experience in another occupation.

• You should enter as many employment periods as required to demonstrate that you have completed the minimum hours for your trade.

• Employment hours can include hours worked either as an employee or self-employed.

STEP TWO – Provide Evidence of Employment:

For each employment period listed you must supply acceptable evidence that allows us to verify your employment record from that period. Acceptable evidence includes:

1. Employment Experience Declaration form completed by your employer/supervisor.

о This is the preferred form of evidence, if possible, where employers confirm hours worked and how your work experience related to the way your trade is practiced in Canada.

2. Reference letter

о Reference letters must be on company letterhead, provide dates of employment, job title, the number of hours you worked, a description of the tasks completed, and the employer website (if applicable).

SECTION TWO: APPLICATION GUIDELINES

MANITOBA TRADES QUALIFIER APPLICATION GUIDE10

3. If self-employed you must complete the Employment Experience Declaration Form and provide at least two pieces of documentary evidence verifying your business’ existence such as:

о Letter from accountant or lawyer, confirming your business’ existence

о Business license or registration

о Corporate tax return(s)

о Copies of quotations / invoices / contracts for clients

о References from corporate clients detailing dates of work and type of work performed

о References from suppliers detailing the volume and nature of supplies purchased

о References who provide information about self-employment should expect to be contacted by the Apprenticeship Authority to verify the information.

4. If no supporting employer or self-employment documentary evidence is available for a period of employment history you have submitted as part of the minimum hours required, please attach a letter explaining why you cannot provide acceptable evidence that details where the work experience was completed and the hours worked.

о At least one of the following supplementary documentary evidence should be provided

о Reference letter from co-worker/supervisor

о Pay stubs

о Record of employment

Section D: Scope of Trade Declaration

The Scope of Trade Declaration form will give you the opportunity to connect your trade experience gained during both employment and vocational training to the Red Seal National Occupational Analysis (NOA) tasks and sub-tasks - providing additional evidence to determine your scope of trade.

• While completing this form, you will reference the employment information you provided in Section C, and any vocational training you will declare in Section F.

• For each NOA sub-task, you will be asked to rate how frequently you have performed it, and in which employment situation or vocational training.

ACTION:

φ Record your Relevant Employment Experience on the summary form

φ Attach acceptable evidence for each employment or self- employment for each period listed

φ If no acceptable evidence of one employment period is available, attach a letter explaining why you cannot provide acceptable evidence, and attach additional documentary evidence.

SECTION TWO: APPLICATION GUIDELINES

11MANITOBA TRADES QUALIFIER APPLICATION GUIDE

• You will also be asked to provide a brief description of your experience with each NOA task, such as a situation you might have used it in, or materials, machines, tools and/or equipment you have used to complete the task. This description will help the assessor to confirm that you have understood the NOA task.

• The Scope of Trade Declaration form gives you a sense of the importance of some NOA blocks of tasks. The Red Seal exam asks more questions about more important NOA blocks of tasks. This same weighting is applied to your scope of trade assessment. On the Scope of Trade Declaration form, beside each NOA block of task name, is the percentage of questions on the Red Seal exam related to that NOA task. The weighting of tasks and calculation of scope of trade is summarized at the bottom of the form.

• Detailed instructions on how to complete the Scope of Trade Declaration are listed on the form.

Section E: National Qualifications

Complete this section if you have earned a national qualification in an apprenticeship or trades certification program outside of Canada, or hold a Canadian Department of National Defence credential. Trades Qualifiers are not required to hold a national qualification in order to be eligible for a Red Seal, however, in some situations a national qualification can be used as evidence to supplement a gap in scope of trade or to accelerate an application.

• A national qualification includes any trade certification or registration.

• You will be asked to attach a certified copy of your qualification. Do not submit the original. If your qualification is not in English, a certified translated copy must be provided, as well as a copy of the original.

• If you have a national qualification in a trade other than the trade you are applying for Red Seal certification in, you may still list it. Many trades require similar essential skills or competencies.

• We may verify your national qualification with the issuing jurisdiction.

ACTION:

φ Complete and attach the Scope of Trade Declaration form

ACTION:

φ Record the information about any national qualification

φ Attach a certified copy of any national qualification

φ Attach certified translated copies if original(s) not in English

SECTION TWO: APPLICATION GUIDELINES

MANITOBA TRADES QUALIFIER APPLICATION GUIDE12

Section F: Vocational Training

Complete this section if you have completed any vocational training in the trade you are applying for Red Seal endorsement in. Trades Qualifiers are not required to have completed vocational training in order to be eligible for a Red Seal, however, in some situations vocational training can be used as evidence to supplement a gap in scope of trade.

• Vocational training is any training designed to equip you with the knowledge, skills and competencies required in a particular occupation. You might have begun but not completed technical training as part of an apprenticeship program, or taken a skills focused course to supplement your work experience.

• For all vocational training declared, you must submit a certified copy of the certificate, diploma or training record. Do not submit the original.

• For any vocational training you are using as the sole evidence for a sub-task in the Scope of Trade Declaration form, you must submit a copy of the training program transcript or course outline.

• If either of these documents is not in English, a certified translated copy must be provided, as well as a copy of the original.

• We may verify your vocational training with the issuing institution.

Section G: Statistical information

You will be asked to provide some demographic information in this section, such as gender, aboriginal identity, visible minority status, disability status, or immigration experience. Your response to the questions in this section is entirely voluntary and will not affect your application outcome. The information will be used for policy analysis and statistical purposes related to employment programs and services.

Section H: Payment Information

Complete information required to process your fee payment for the Trades Qualifier application. Payment of the non-refundable fee is required when you submit the application.

ACTION:

φ Record the information about any vocational training

φ Attach a certified copy of any vocational training certificate, diploma or training record

φ If vocational training is sole evidence for a sub-task in Scope of Trade Declaration form, attach a copy of training program transcript or course outline

φ Attach certified translated copies if original(s) not in English

ACTION:

φ Complete statistical information (optional)

ACTION:

φ Provide payment information

SECTION TWO: APPLICATION GUIDELINES

13MANITOBA TRADES QUALIFIER APPLICATION GUIDE

Section I: Declaration, Acknowledgement, Authorization and Consent

In this section you will be asked to authorize Apprenticeship Manitoba to collect, use and disclose personal information about you, and declare that all of the information provided is true and accurate.

If you do not sign and date this section, your application will not be accepted or processed.

Trade Qualifier Applicant checklistIt is your responsibility to ensure that you have submitted a complete application. To assist you, a checklist is provided.

φ Trade Name recorded

φ Relevant Employment Experience recorded

a. Attached acceptable documentary evidence related to your employment history for each employment or self-employment period listed attached

b. Attached a letter if no supporting employer documentary evidence is available for a period of work

φ Completed and attached the Scope of Trade Declaration form

φ Information about any national qualification recorded

a. Certified copy of any national qualification attached

b. Certified translated copy of any national qualification attached if original(s) not in English

φ Information about any vocational training recorded

a. Certified copy of any vocational training certificate, diploma or training record attached

b. If vocational training is the sole evidence for a sub-task in Scope of Trade Declaration form, a certified copy of training program transcript or course outline attached

c. Certified translated copies of vocational training evidence attached, if original(s) not in English

φ Payment information provided

φ Application signed and dated

ACTION:

φ Sign and date application

SECTION TWO: APPLICATION GUIDELINES

MANITOBA TRADES QUALIFIER APPLICATION GUIDE14

APPRENTICESHIP AUTHORITIESThese authorities are the Canadian provincial and territory agencies responsible for working with employers, employees, industry, labour, training providers and government to issue credentials, manage apprenticeships, set program standards, manage Trades Qualifiers and increase opportunities to participate in trades across Canada. Each province/territory works together to maintain the national Red Seal standards.

CANADIAN DEPARTMENT OF NATIONAL DEFENCE CREDENTIALIndividuals who hold the Canadian Department of National Defence credential are considered to have met, or partially met, the prerequisites for challenging a Red Seal exam. The candidate holding a Canadian Department of National Defence credential will need to consult the provincial standard to determine the process for recognition of prior learning or equivalency. A National Defence credential may be recognized during the trade qualifier assessment process so long as there is acceptable supporting documentation that details the type of training and where that training took place.

CERTIFIED COPYCertified copies are notarized copies. Documents can be certified (notarized) by a lawyer or notary public or commissioner of oaths. This person will make a copy of the original document, then stamp and sign the copy to indicate that it is a true copy of the original.

CERTIFIED TRANSLATED COPYDocuments written in a language other than English must be translated into English by a member of a recognized translator association. If you are applying from outside of Canada, names of translators may be available from a translator’s association in your home country. Names of translator associations are available from the International Federation of Translators at www.fit-ift.org. A certified true copy of the original document(s) must be included with your

original translation. The translation must be imprinted with a statement signed by the translator that the translation is true and accurate.

MINIMUM NUMBER OF HOURSThe minimum number of hours is the number of work experience hours in their trade that a candidate must have completed to meet requirements for challenging a Red Seal exam. Each Red Seal trade has a minimum number of hours that must be worked in order to complete the requirements for certification. The number of hours may vary from jurisdiction to jurisdiction and can be found in the jurisdiction-specific program outline. Some jurisdictions, count months, or years in addition to hours. As an apprentice, the norm is to attend 4 periods of technical training and then spend a year after each period working with a certified tradesperson to learn and practice the theory learned through formal training. For Trades Qualifiers, the minimum number of hours required to achieve the knowledge and practical experience, will take longer as learning is solely done on the job. The number of hours required to challenge is roughly 1.5 times the hours required in the apprenticeship standard. The minimum hours to qualify as a Trade Qualifier in your trade are stated on page 5 in this guide.

NATIONAL QUALIFICATIONA national qualification is the recognized credential for a trade in a country. Typically, a national qualification is based on a national framework, where training providers are registered with or designated by the government and where industry is involved in the development and delivery of training standards. In Canada, the national qualification for trade occupations is the Red Seal standard.

NATIONAL OCCUPATIONAL ANALYSIS (NOA)The National Occupational Analysis at www.red-seal.ca/resources/n.4.1@-eng.jsp outlines occupational details that a tradesperson needs to know about their trade. The occupational analysis is undertaken by the Red Seal

SECTION THREE: GLOSSARY

15MANITOBA TRADES QUALIFIER APPLICATION GUIDE

Program and is designed and developed with input from industry and subject matter experts. An NOA provides a detailed breakdown of trade activities organized into blocks of related tasks. Each task is broken down into specific sub-tasks. Other details outlined in an NOA include skills and knowledge requirements, safety information, trade specific language, and a trend analysis.

RED SEAL STANDARDDesignated trades are governed by regulations under the provincial and territorial Apprenticeship Acts. These regulations outline the administrative procedures and in some case the standards and conditions of training for specific trades (e.g. methods of registering apprentices, curriculum, accreditation, and certification). For more information visit: www.red-seal.ca.

SCOPE OF TRADEScope of trade refers to the portion of National Occupational Analysis (NOA) defined tasks a candidate has experience with. A candidate who has experience with all tasks for his/her trade as defined by the NOA would have 100% scope of trade. Some NOA tasks are more important to trade performance, as they are more commonly performed in the trade. These are given more importance when assessing scope of trade. There will also be more questions on the Red Seal exam about these tasks. The Scope of Trade Declaration form shows you which tasks are more important, or weighted more heavily, in your trade, and you can use it to calculate scope for yourself.

TRADES QUALIFIERA Trades Qualifier is someone who is experienced in their trade, and is now seeking a Canadian Red Seal endorsement. You might have learned your trade in another country, or in Canada. You might have some vocational training, or have completed a national qualification in another country, or you might have learned your trade solely through work experience.

VOCATIONAL TRAININGVocational training is undertaken by an apprentice or individual to develop the knowledge, skills and competencies to be able to work in a particular trade. Vocational training can be part of an apprenticeship program with specific learning standards established per level of apprenticeship or can be technical training related to the trade occupation that supports learners to develop the knowledge, skills and competencies of particular tasks required to meet national qualifications. Vocational training may be recognized during the trade qualifier assessment process so long as there is acceptable supporting documentation that details the type of training and where that training took place. In some jurisdictions, hours accumulated during vocational training do not count towards the minimum number of hours required for Trades Qualifiers.

WORK EXPERIENCETrades Qualifiers must report documented work experience that is related specifically to the trade they are applying for. The hours gained while working as a tradesperson will be counted towards the hours required under the standard for the trade.

SECTION THREE: GLOSSARY