BACKGROUNDER: THE INTERPROVINCIAL STANDARDS RED SEAL PROGRAM

1. BACKGROUNDER: THE INTERPROVINCIAL STANDARDSRED SEAL PROGRAM National Apprenticeship Stakeholder MeetingOttawa - March 20, 2014 Canadian Council of Directors of Apprenticeship (CCDA)

2. 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 Program

3. In Canada, there are 13 distinct apprenticeship systems Backgrounder: Red Seal Program

4. 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. CCDA Harmonization Project

5. 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 Program

6. 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 Program

7. 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 Program

8. CCDAand 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 Program

9. 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 Backgrounder: Red Seal Program

10. Apprenticeship Stakeholders • Employers • Industry Associations and Councils • Training Providers • Equity Groups • Employees • Organized and Open Shop Labour • Governments Backgrounder: Red Seal Program

11. 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. Backgrounder: Red Seal Program

12. 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 Backgrounder: Red Seal Program