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The Red Seal Trade Certification program was created in 1952 (then known as the Interprovincial Standards Red Seal program) and applies to 55 different trades in Canada, including electricians. It’s interesting that of all the trades in the Red Seal program, chefs seem to be the best known among the public. Together with chefs and electricians who have passed their Red Seal exam are: automotive painters, bricklayers, motorcycle mechanics, machinists and landscape horticulturalists, to name just a few.
The former name of the Red Seal program perhaps gave a better indication that the program ensures those certified meet the national trade standards and are qualified to work in any province (or territory). As a partnership between provinces (and territories) and the federal government, the Red Seal endorsement earned by tradespeople after completing their Red Seal exam is applied to their provincial (or territory) trade certificate.
There are actually two categories of electricians in the Red Seal Trade Certification program: Red Seal construction electrician and Red Seal industrial electrician. Any electrician that wants to write the Red Seal exam(s) can have Red Seal certification in either category or both, if they choose. According to their website,
“… plan, assemble, install, alter, repair, inspect, verify, commission, operate and maintain electrical systems. Electrical systems provide heating, lighting, power, security, communication and control in residential, commercial, institutional, industrial and entertainment environments.”
“… install, maintain, test, troubleshoot, service and repair industrial electrical equipment and associated electrical controls. Their work includes equipment or components directly or indirectly exposed to electrical power such as motors, generators, pumps and lighting systems.”
So, industrial electricians are tied more to the access and supply of power through various controls and systems and construction electricians are tied more to the devices and ways those devices use electricity. In the end, these two Red Seal electricians have to go through the same basic processes to become Red Seal certified and have the same benefits from certification.
Electricians in BC can work without Red Seal Certification, but having a Red Seal Certificate comes with a number of advantages.
A Red Seal endorsement:
This means that a Red Seal electrician comes with certainty that they have been tested, trained and certified to have a level of knowledge and competency defined by their industry. It can be a great comfort for both potential employers and clients. This certification is recognized coast-to-coast and proves skill and ability without the need for any further exams needed in order to practice the trade anywhere in Canada. While the Red Seal Certification is recognized nationally, the exams and certifications are assigned by the province (or territory) you write the exam in.
There is no need to become certified in another province or territory when you have Red Seal Certification. If you’re moving to a new province or territory and have a Red Seal endorsement as either type of electrician, you only need to contact that region’s apprenticeship and certification office in order to have your qualifications recognized.
More and more employers are looking for Red Seal Certification in their journey persons in addition to the provincial (or territorial) certification. It gives the potential employer confidence in the basic level of training and skills that come with the employee’s certification. While passing the construction electrician and/or industrial electrician Red Seal exam and becoming Red Seal Certified is optional, it may be a requirement for certain employers – just as the provincial or territorial certification is a requirement to operate as an electrician.
At the start of one’s electrician career, they are an apprentice. An apprenticeship is the agreement between an employer (at minimum a journeyperson electrician) and someone who wants to learn the trade. In essence, the apprentice makes money while learning the trade and works towards becoming a certified journeyperson. This includes both on-site hands-on learning and technical apprentice training off the job site.
Generally, the classroom/technical learning begins after about a year of on-site experience.
During the apprenticeship stage, a worker may decide to specialize. Both types of electricians can delve into a number of different areas of expertise such as panels, full-system wiring, pumps, heating and cooling and more. While some electricians opt for certification as both a construction electrician and an industrial electrician, it is advisable to only do one program at a time due to the volume of education and work experience required. These are not simple exams. Especially when one considers just how important properly working electrical is whether it’s a house, a business or an overall power grid.
If an apprentice has completed all four levels of apprenticeship training and the required job site hours, they are eligible for a provincial or territorial Certificate of Apprenticeship and a Certificate of Qualification – making them a journeyperson. This process usually takes about four or five years.
At this point, they can then also apply and take the exam for the Red Seal endorsement as a certified journeyman in the construction electrician and/or industrial electrician trade(s). If they pass, they can add the Red Seal certification to their provincial (or territory) electrician trade certificate.
Electrician journeypersons work with electrical systems on their own, whereas apprentices have the majority of their work supervised or double-checked. Often, when an electrician arrives at a job, they will have one (or more) employees with them. While the other employees may be in various levels of apprenticeship, the journeyperson must take the time from their tasks to ensure the apprentice work is being done correctly.
Electricians with 8,340 hours of documented directly-related trade work experience can challenge the Red Seal exam just as provincial and territorial certification exams can be challenged by those with a certain amount of on-job experience.
Working in trades like electricians do is hard work and requires a lot of in-depth knowledge about building and electrical systems, controls and devices. With the right education, the job can be extremely rewarding when wiring problems are corrected for a homeowner or a complete building is up and running. It all makes Red Seal certification worth the work.
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Dear Sir,
I have passed Inter province Red Seal Industrial Electrician exam from ITA BC with 76%. I am from India and being Indian I am facing problem to find the job on base of this certification.I have applied many Canada Job site but they are not considering my application as I am from India.
Anticipating your guidance for finding job in Canada.
Regards,
Vipul
Hi Vipul,
Unfortunately, we cannot provide any specific resources for job search. Red Seal gives you an opportunity to move across the country and look for a job in any province / territory without having to get additional certification. Please also try to reach out to ITA BC, maybe they can help you get an internship or find a mentor who can guide you through job search strategies. Thank you!
I am going to apply for 309a liecence online .
what is the pocedure for.?
Hi Abdul,
Please find more information about Red Seal Industrial Electrician prep course here: https://www.ashtoncollege.ca/programs/red-seal-industrial-electrician/ and about the Red Seal Construction Electrician prep course here: https://www.ashtoncollege.ca/programs/red-seal-construction-electrician/
If you have further questions, please click the “submit enquiry” button and our admissions team will be happy to assist you.
Thank you!
I like to have a red seal certificate electrician
Hi Kleinboy,
Please read more information about the Red Seal electrician prep program here: https://www.ashtoncollege.ca/programs/red-seal-construction-electrician/
If you have further questions or would like to apply please proceed on the website.
Thank you!
Hi I’m electrical+electronics+Instrumentation and control engineer from out side Canada .
I have a 14 years of experience in above stated field .
Now I’m going to give a red seal examination ,if it is possible to get a copy of Free material from your college For giving an examination ?
Waiting for your reference…….
Hi Nishil,
At Ashton College, we offer a Red Seal preparation course that can help you get ready for the exam. You can learn more about the course here: https://www.ashtoncollege.ca/programs/red-seal-industrial-electrician/
Unfortunately, we do not provide any free training materials. However, you can refer to the official Red Seal website for their detailed exam descriptions and sample questions: http://www.red-seal.ca/
If I have Electrical diploma in Singapore can I be red seal electrical.person in Canada?
I have more than ten years Electrical e9in singapore.
Hi Khantha,
If you’re willing to become Red Seal certified electrician in Canada, please see the requirements here for construction electricians: http://www.red-seal.ca/trades/c.4nst_.2l.2ctr.3c-eng.html and for industrial electricians: http://www.red-seal.ca/trades/.3nd.5str.3.1l_.2l.2ctr.3c-eng.html
At Ashton College, we offer prep programs that will enable you to get ready for Red Seal certification. Please fill out an inquiry form on this page and our admissions team will be in touch with you shortly:
https://www.ashtoncollege.ca/contact/
Thank you!
Hello I have passed 3 year electrical engg. Diploma from India and have 2year 5 month electrician experience. Now I am studing electrical engg. Technician power program at Mohawk college. After finish my study can I eligable for red seal industrial electrician test???
Hi Khushpreet,
Please check the official Red Seal website to find out the eligibility criteria for Red Seal exam. They can vary from one trade to another.
http://www.red-seal.ca/resources/.2x.1ms-eng.html
Thank you!
I believe there should professional certificate are need to professional electrician. Thanks for sharing these wonderful information with us.
Thank you, Isaac!
Amazing!!
Thanks for sharing this wonderful post. A good electrician have knowledge and solution of electrical faults. You gave a good knowledge about electricians. keep updated with new more ideas with us.
am from Nigeria can I apply for this on line as a international student,thanks.
Hi Fatunmise Adekunle Matthew,
Thanks for your interest in Red Seal certification. Please learn more on how to obtain it on their official website: http://www.red-seal.ca/
Thank you!