If you’re considering a career in the trades, you may be thinking ahead to getting the Red Seal endorsement.
A Red Seal endorsement is an extra mark of distinction that gets added to your provincial or territorial trade certificate. It provides Canada-wide recognition of your abilities.
Essentially, a Red Seal is a widely respected stamp of approval.
So how do you go about getting it?
In this post, we take you through the process of becoming a Red Seal certified tradesperson. Discover what you must do to get a Red Seal endorsement, why you should consider doing so, and how you can get started.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
- What is Red Seal?
- What Does a Red Seal Endorsement Do for You?
- Which Trades are Eligible for Red Seal Certification?
- Step-by-Step Process to Achieve Red Seal Certification
- Preparing for the Red Seal Exam
- How Trade School Programs Support the Red Seal Path
WHAT IS RED SEAL?
The Red Seal program, officially known as the Interprovincial Standards Red Seal Program, was established by the federal government in collaboration with the provinces and territories. It sets a national standard of excellence for tradespeople in Canada.
The actual Red Seal is a mark on a provincial or territorial trade certificate, signifying that a tradesperson has met the nationally standardized skills and knowledge requirements for their trade.
The Red Seal program ensures consistent and high-quality training across Canada.
WHAT DOES A RED SEAL ENDORSEMENT DO FOR YOU?
The biggest advantage is mobility.
While trades training standards may vary from one part of the country to another, the Red Seal endorsement is valid and highly regarded throughout Canada. It means your education and skills will be recognized from coast to coast, without the need for further training or examination.
Even if you don’t plan to move to another region, having your Red Seal can give you a competitive edge in the job market. Some employers, especially in large companies, specifically look for Red Seal certified tradespeople. That way, they know they’re hiring qualified and skilled workers, which can enhance their company’s reputation.
Essentially, the Red Seal acts as a recognized symbol of excellence in skilled trades, promoting mobility and ensuring high standards of workmanship throughout the country.
A Red Seal endorsement brings important advantages for tradespeople
WHICH TRADES ARE ELIGIBLE FOR RED SEAL CERTIFICATION?
Currently, there are 54 designated Red Seal trades. They cover a wide range of occupations, from welders and appliance repairers to cooks and hairstylists.
According to the most recent data from Statistics Canada, the most popular trades for which people receive Red Seal endorsements are:
- Construction electrician: Install and maintain electrical systems that provide heat, light, power, security, electric vehicle charging, and building automation
- Automotive service technician: Diagnose and fix engines, transmissions, brakes, steering, suspension, and other vehicle systems
- Industrial mechanic (millwright): Align, balance, install, and repair large machinery in manufacturing plants, mines, and power generation facilities
- Plumber: Fix leaks, clear clogs, repair broken pipes, and install toilets, sinks, and water heaters
- Carpenter: Frame walls and roofs, install flooring and trim, and build cabinets and other structures out of wood
- Welder: Use heat to melt and fuse metals together, creating strong and durable bonds
Some Red Seal trades go by slightly different names in different jurisdictions. For instance, in Ontario, “construction electrician” is called “construction and maintenance electrician.” And “bricklayer” is called “brick and stone mason.”
Also: not every Red Seal trade is designated as such in all areas of Canada. British Columbia, for example, only awards Red Seal endorsements in 48 trades rather than 54.
Plumbing is one of the most popular Red Seal trades
STEP-BY-STEP PROCESS TO ACHIEVE RED SEAL CERTIFICATION
Here’s how the process typically works:
Step 1: Complete an apprenticeship.
This starts with finding a sponsor willing to oversee your training. Once you have secured a sponsor, you register as an apprentice with your province/territory and complete a combination of in-school training and paid on-the-job training.
The process can take anywhere from two to five years, depending on the trade. In Ontario, for example, electrician apprentices must complete 7,950 hours on the job and 1,050 hours in the classroom, for a total of five years.
Step 2: Earn your Certificate of Qualification (C of Q).
In most cases, before pursuing Red Seal certification, you must first earn a Certificate of Qualification for your trade within your province/territory by passing an exam. You’ll need to pay a fee and schedule a date to write your exam.
Learn more: Ontario Certificate of Qualification Exam Guide for Electricians
Step 3: Apply for the Red Seal examination.
Once you have your C of Q and are a fully qualified journeyperson, you must take and pass the Red Seal exam for your trade.
Note: You may be able to challenge the final certification exam without going through a formal apprenticeship if you can prove that you have sufficient skills and experience.
PREPARING FOR THE RED SEAL EXAM
Each Red Seal examination consists of 100 to 150 multiple-choice questions. The test is designed to evaluate your trade knowledge as well as your mathematical and problem-solving skills (as related to your trade). It may include the use of diagrams.
You have up to four hours to complete the test. You need to score at least 70 per cent to pass.
Here are some tips to help you prepare:
- Study the Red Seal Occupational Standard (RSOS) or National Occupational Analysis (NOA) for your trade. It describes the broad activities of a trade and breaks them down into tasks and sub-tasks. Exam questions are based on those sub-tasks.
- Get to know the national code book, if your trade has one. You may have been working with a provincial code, but the Red Seal exam will reference the national one.
- Get a preview by taking a practice test on the Red Seal website. Just select your trade from the alphabetical list and then launch the sample questions.
- Discuss your exam preparation strategy with your instructors or other experienced tradespeople. They can offer valuable advice and support.
HOW TRADE SCHOOL PROGRAMS SUPPORT THE RED SEAL PATH
While not mandatory, a trade school program can be a smart investment for anyone looking to pursue a trade and ultimately achieve Red Seal certification.
The road to a Red Seal typically involves an apprenticeship, and it can be tough to convince an employer to take you on as an apprentice if you have no training or background in your chosen trade. That’s where pre-apprenticeship programs come in.
Pre-apprenticeship programs provide a solid foundation of theoretical and practical knowledge in a trade. You’ll learn essential skills like:
- How to read blueprints
- How to do trade-specific math
- How to use basic tools and equipment
- How to stay safe on the job
Employers often prefer to hire apprentices who have completed a pre-apprenticeship program because they arrive with basic skills, some hands-on experience, and some valuable safety certifications.
Colleges like Herzing also have strong industry connections and dedicated career specialists who can help you find apprenticeship placements.
You may want to consider a pre-apprenticeship program if:
- You have little to no experience in the trade and want to learn the basics
- You’re switching careers and need a structured introduction to the trade
- You have some trade knowledge but want to enhance your skills to make you a more competitive candidate for apprenticeship
WANT TO PREPARE FOR AN APPRENTICESHIP AND START WORKING TOWARD YOUR RED SEAL?
You can boost your odds of getting hired as an apprentice by completing pre-apprenticeship training at a trade school or career college.
Herzing College offers training in a number of Red Seal trades, including plumber and construction and maintenance electrician. We can help you take your first step toward becoming a certified tradesperson.
Click below to explore our skilled trades programs and chat live with an admissions advisor. We’re here to help!
