BACKGROUNDER: THE INTERPROVINCIAL STANDARDS RED SEAL PROGRAM National Apprenticeship Stakeholder Meeting Ottawa - March 20, 2014 Canadian Council of Directors of Apprenticeship (CCDA)
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
Backgrounder: Red Seal Program3
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
Backgrounder: Red Seal Program5
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.
Backgrounder: Red Seal Program6
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.
Backgrounder: Red Seal Program7
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.
Backgrounder: Red Seal Program8
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/[email protected]?cid=43
www.red-seal.ca/[email protected]?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/[email protected]?cid=32
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