BACKGROUNDER: THE INTERPROVINCIAL STANDARDS RED SEAL PROGRAM National Apprenticeship Stakeholder...

BACKGROUNDER: THE INTERPROVINCIAL

STANDARDSRED SEAL PROGRAM

National Apprenticeship Stakeholder MeetingOttawa - March 20, 2014

Canadian Council of Directors of Apprenticeship (CCDA)

The Interprovincial StandardsRed Seal Program

• Overview of the Red Seal Program

•The Canadian Council of Directors of Apprenticeship (CCDA)

•Strategic Priorities (2013-2016)

Backgrounder: Red Seal Program2

In Canada, there are 13 distinct apprenticeship systems

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The Red Seal Program

• Approximately 60 years ago, the provincial and territorial and federal governments created the Red Seal Program to develop common standards for the scope and tasks of designated trades.

• These common standards have played an important role in the harmonization of apprenticeship programs, which enhances the mobility of individual tradespersons certified by the provinces and territories.

 • The Red Seal Program has been a good model of labour

mobility for tradespersons, pre-dating the Agreement on Internal Trade. For many years, it was the ticket to mobility in the skilled trades.

4 CCDA Harmonization Project

The Red Seal Program

• 55 trades representing about 80% of registered apprentices in Canada.

• First Red Seal awarded in 1959 – Motor Vehicle Repair.

• Over 574,000 Red Seals awarded since inception (almost 25,000 in 2012).

• Top 5 Red Seal trades (2012): Construction Electrician, Automotive Service Technician, Carpenter, Plumber, Welder

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The Red Seal Program (Cont’d)

• The Red Seal is an endorsement physically affixed upon provincial/territorial (P/T) trade certificates, upon successful completion of the interprovincial Red Seal exam.

• Trade certificates bearing the Red Seal endorsement are automatically recognized across Canada, and provide reasonable assurance of a high standard of qualification.

• Program provides options for the jurisdictions, while recognizing that apprenticeship training and trade certification are the responsibilities of each province and territory.

• Program encourages greater consistency of P/T apprenticeship training and certification requirements.

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Value Proposition of the Red Seal

• Competitive advantage – tradespersons are qualified to a high interprovincial standard recognized and trusted by industry.

Employers familiar with the Red Seal consider it a moderate or strong hiring advantage;

The Red Seal endorsement is considered an industry-endorsed standard of excellence for the skilled trades.

• Labour mobility – automatic recognition of trade certification.

Under Chapter 7 of the Agreement on Internal Trade, provinces and territories must recognize each others’ trade credentials (with or without Red Seal);

However some employers prefer to hire incoming tradespersons who have the Red Seal.

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CCDA and the Red Seal Program

The Canadian Council of Directors of Apprenticeship (CCDA) manages and delivers the Red Seal Program. It works with P/Ts and industry to develop common national standards, curriculum guides and examinations. It is comprised of provincial/territorial apprenticeship authorities, and

two representatives from Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC).

Each member is accountable to their respective jurisdiction.

The CCDA is also a forum to discuss common issues around apprenticeship and the skilled trades, though the delivery of the Red Seal Program is its primary role.

The Red Seal Program represents a standard of excellence for the skilled trades.

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Red Seal Products

• Red Seal products are developed in partnership between ESDC, the P/T’s, and industry through a rigorous process:

─ National Occupational Analyses (NOA): the national standards which describe the pan-Canadian scope and activities of each Red Seal trade.

─ Interprovincial (IP) Red Seal Exams: based on the NOA and used to assess qualified tradespeople according to a national standard.

─ Interprovincial Program Guides (IPG): represent the minimum common core content for the development of jurisdictional training standards.

─ Essential Skills (ES): tools and resources to help apprentices build their essential skills.

• To learn more, watch the videos on the Red Seal website: www.red-seal.ca/c.4nt.2nt@-eng.jsp?cid=43

www.red-seal.ca/c.4nt.2nt@-eng.jsp?cid=45

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Apprenticeship Stakeholders

• Employers

• Industry Associations and Councils

• Training Providers

• Equity Groups

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• Employees

• Organized and Open Shop Labour

• Governments

CCDA Strategic Priorities 2013-2016

1. Standards and Assessments Enhance Red Seal standards and assessments;

2. Harmonization Promote the harmonization of interjurisdictional processes and

requirements for skilled trades training, certification and standards;

3. Promotion Increase awareness of the Red Seal as a competitive advantage

and an assurance of quality; and

4. Engagement Increase the engagement and participation of partners and

stakeholders in the Red Seal Program.

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Interprovincial Standards Red Seal Program

www.red-seal.ca

For additional information, please see:

•CCDA Annual Report 2012

www.red-seal.ca/images/2012_AR_EN.pdf

•Red Seal e-Newsletter

www.red-seal.ca/c.4nt.2nt@-eng.jsp?cid=32

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