About Apprenticeship

Apprenticeship is your ticket to a challenging and rewarding career in the skilled trades!

Apprenticeship is quality, low-cost, post-secondary training that leads to certification as a journeyperson in a skilled trade. However, unlike university or college, where YOU PAY for your entire education, as an apprentice YOU GET PAID to learn. Most trade programs take approximately 2-4 years to complete and they combine approximately 80% paid-on-the job training with 20% technical/in-school learning.

Manitoba's skilled, certified tradespeople play an important role in our society. In the next decade, many of them will be nearing retirement, leaving Manitoba with shortages in the skilled trades. Manitoba has more than 50 skilled trades available for you to start your apprenticeship.

Apprenticeship can lead you to a well-paid, skilled employment. Through a combination of hands-on training and in-school learning, you can earn a certificate of qualification in a trade. This means your expertise and industry-proven skills are formally and financially recognized. With most trades available for Interprovincial Red Seal certification, your credentials are recognized across Canada.

• Who Administers the Apprenticeship program?
• What is a Designated Trade?
• Is Certification Compulsory or Voluntary?
• Why should I get the Red Seal Interprovincial Certificate?
• Facts & Stats
• Videos

Who Administers the Apprenticeship Program?

Apprenticeship programs are generally administered by provincial and territorial departments responsible for education, labour and training (under the direction of the provincial or territorial Director of Apprenticeship) with authority delegated from the legislation in each province and territory. In Manitoba, the Apprenticeship Branch operates under the department of Manitoba Competitiveness Training & Trade.

The program is supported by a network of advisory committees, such the Apprenticeship and Trades Qualification Board, and the Provincial Trade Advisory Committees (PTACs).

The industry-driven Apprenticeship and Trades Qualification Board is the major policy-making and governing bodies for apprenticeship training relating to recommendations of trade designation, curriculum requirements and regulatory aspects of trades and occupations.

What is a Designated Trade?

Each province and territory has the responsibilities for education and training which includes apprenticeship. This legislation permits each jurisdiction to designate occupations for apprenticeship.

Designated trades in Manitoba are governed by regulations under the provincial Apprenticeship and Trades Qualifications Act. These regulations outline the standards and conditions of training for specific trades (e.g. methods of registering apprentices, curriculum, accreditation, certification).

The designation of a new trade can originate outside the provincial or territorial apprenticeship authorities. Employers, employer associations or unions can petition to have an occupation designated in Manitoba by contacting the Apprenticeship Branch in Winnipeg.

Is Certification Compulsory or Voluntary?

Occupations are classified as either compulsory or voluntary. Generally, compulsory occupations require workers to be certified or registered as apprentice in order for them to practice in the occupation.

In Manitoba, "certified journeyperson" means a person who holds a Certificate of Qualification issued by the Manitoba Apprenticeship Branch. "Registered apprentice" means a person who has signed a formal apprenticeship training agreement with his or her employer, and had that apprenticeship agreement registered with the Manitoba Apprenticeship Branch.

Voluntary occupations often will also have certification and apprenticeship to indicate the level of competency of the holder. Although workers are not required to be registered or certified in order to practice in the voluntary occupations, in order to be an apprentice and work in the in these trades, apprentices must be employed with a certified journey person.

Note: Even though many occupations deemed compulsory in some of the jurisdictions are also "Red Seal" trades, the Red Seal itself is not mandatory except where indicated as such by jurisdictions in specific legislation.

Who Determines if a Trade is Compulsory?

The requirement of compulsory certification in a trade is based on a request from industry. Criteria for compulsory certification in any trade must include proven enhancement of:

• public and worker safety
• consumer and environmental protection
• value added to the quality of work being offered to the public through uniform training and professional standards

List of Compulsory Trades in Manitoba

There are over 50 designated trades in Manitoba in which you can take apprenticeship training. Nine of these trades require compulsory apprenticeship training, meaning that to legally work in Manitoba, you must be a registered apprentice or a certified journeyperson.

1. Construction Electrician**
2. Industrial Electrician**
3. Crane & Hoisting Equipment Operator (includes Mobile, Boom Truck and Tower Crane Operator)
4. Electrologist*
5. Esthetician (includes Skin Care Technician and Nail Technician)*
6. Hairstylist*
7. Refrigeration & Air Conditioning Mechanic
8. Sprinkler System Installer
9. Steamfitter - Pipefitter

*To work in these trades, you must also hold an Authorization to Practise, Temporary Permit, or a Limited Practise Permit issued by the Apprenticeship Branch. The Authorization to Practise and Limited Practise Permits (for existing holders only) are renewable every two years. The Temporary Permit is also issued by the Apprenticeship Branch and the renewal date varies according to applicant type.

**To work in these trades, you must also hold a Journeyperson Electrician Licence issued by the Mechanical and Engineering Branch of Manitoba Labor and Immigration. This license must be renewed very four years.

If you work in any of these trades and are unsure of your status, contact the Apprenticeship Branch in Winnipeg.

For more information about these compulsory, please view the trade program section of this website.

Why should I get the “Red Seal”- Interprovincial Certification?

The Red Seal Program was established to provide greater mobility across Canada for skilled workers. Through the program, apprentices who have completed their training and certified journeypersons, are able to obtain a "Red Seal" endorsement on their Certificate of Qualification by successfully completing an Interprovincial Standards Examination. Currently the “Red Seal” endorsement is available in almost 50 trades! See: Trade Programs.

The Red Seal Program encourages standardization of provincial and territorial apprenticeship training and certification. It allows qualified trades professionals to practice the trade in any province or territory in Canada where the trade is designated without having to write further examinations.

With this endorsement, you can also build respect in your community for your designation and knowledge and as a qualified and certified journeyperson, you can expect to increase your average annual income.

Red Seal official website