CCDA Initiates Review of Five Red Seal Trades

ONTARIO – The Canadian Council of Directors of Apprenticeship (CCDA) is reviewing the Red Seal status for the following trades due to low participation levels across the country:

Appliance Service Technician
Tilesetter (in Ontario known as Terrazzo, Tile and Marble Setter)
Heavy Equipment Operator – Dozer
Heavy Equipment Operator – Excavator
Heavy Equipment Operator – Tractor Loader Backhoe

These trades were selected based on the CCDA’s criteria for the review of a Red Seal trade’s status. Currently, apprenticeship registrations in these trades remain low across Canada. The CCDA, industry and apprenticeship authorities will work together to understand these trends and to explore ways to increase the number of apprentices pursuing their Red Seal endorsement. Decisions on further steps will only be made after industry stakeholders have demonstrated increased usage or if there is no change.

This review does not impact trade prescription in Ontario. Apprentices in Ontario can still register, complete their training, and write certification exams. During the review period, individuals who successfully complete their certifying exam will still receive a Red Seal Endorsement on their Certificate of Qualification.

To maintain Red Seal designation, a trade must meet the following national standards:

Five or more provinces or territories must offer apprenticeship in the trade
500 registered apprentices across all P/Ts for five consecutive years.
300 Red Seal exams written annually across all P/Ts for five years.
There must be industry support for the Red Seal trade designation with a significant number of common tasks in each jurisdiction.

During the two-year review period:

STO will submit status updates to the CCDA every six months.
National collaboration with industry will focus on increasing participation in the Red Seal program.
Development of new Red Seal standards and examinations will be paused.

Skilled Trades Ontario will continue to work with industry and engage in national discussions. Any decisions at the national level will not change Ontario’s ability to register apprentices or certify workers in these trades.

About Skilled Trades Ontario
Skilled Trades Ontario is an agency of the Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development responsible for apprenticeship and skilled trades certification in Ontario. Skilled Trades Ontario is dedicated to simplifying access to services for skilled trades professionals, promoting the skilled trades as a career of choice and addressing the labour shortage in the skilled trades, in partnership with government and industry.    

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