Trades Qualification - Exam Challengers

If you are experience in a designated trades, but do not hold a Certificate of Qualification in Manitoba, you can become a fully qualified and certified journeyperson through a trades qualification examination.

How to Apply

1. Confirm that you have fulfilled the necessary requirements for TQ.

2. Complete and submit each of the following;

• Trade Qualification Application and application fee
• Work Experience Form – This form identifies and assesses your acquired knowledge, abilities, and skills necessary for a successful certification exam.

Employer letter(s) documenting exact dates of employment, total hours worked, a brief description of duties performed, the employer signature and any trade related certificates. If your employer is no longer in business or if you were self-employed during this time for which you are applying please submit a Self Declaration Form instead of the Employer Letter.

3. Once your application has been reviewed and accepted, you will be notified of the examination date and location. You have three hours to complete a multiple-choice theory examination. You must score 70 per cent or higher on your examination and successfully complete the practical exam (where applicable) to receive a Certificate of Qualification.

If you do not pass the exam, the Apprenticeship Branch will give you a summary of your results to show which areas require improvement and you may apply to re-write the exam. If you are not successful after the second attempt, you must take Branch approved upgrading before attempting the exam again. If the exam is not challenged within one year, applicants must re-apply and pay the appropriate fees.

General Requirements:

1. Eligible candidates include:

• Canadian citizen/permanent residents, landed immigrant or international trades professionals experiences in countries outside of Canada.
• Applicants entering Manitoba who have a provincial/territorial Certificate of Qualification from another Canadian jurisdiction that does not have a high level of commonality in the scope of the trade as outlined in the Manitoba regulation for Trade*.

* See section on Mutual Recognition for applicants entering Manitoba with a Provincial/Territorial Certificate of Qualification.

2. Experience in a designated trade. There are a minimum number of years and hours over a specified length of time, that is required in order to apply for Trades Qualification (TQ).

Refer to the work experience requirement chart.

Note:
- If you not do meet the necessary requirements for TQ, but have some experience in a trade, you may apply for regular apprenticeship training. Your previous work experience and skills will be assessed through Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition (PLAR) and your experience will be credited accordingly. This may reduce the overall length of your apprenticeship program.

- In related trades such as Agricultural Equipment Technician, Heavy Duty Equipment Technician Truck & Transport Mechanic, Motor Vehicle Mechanic, Transport Trailer Technician etc. time in trade credits may count towards certification in another trade through the Trade Qualification process.

3. A minimum mark of 70% obtained on a written examination (theory/multiple choice).
International trade professionals who have pre-qualified for TQ will be required to write their exam in Manitoba. Several trades in Manitoba also require a practical examination, refer to the work experience requirement chart.

* It is recommended that prospective trade qualifiers have strong essential skills prior to application for Trades Qualification.

Failed Exam Process: If you do not pass the exam, the Apprenticeship Branch will give you a summary of your results to show which areas require improvement and you may apply to re-write the exam. If you are not successful after the second attempt, you must take Branch approved upgrading before attempting the exam again. If the exam is not challenged within one year, applicants must re-apply and pay the appropriate fees.

Exam exemption for compulsory trades: When an existing trade regulation is amended to include "compulsory" apprenticeship training or a new trade is designated as compulsory, trades professionals have a limited time frame (usually one year) in which to apply and qualify for certification through trades qualification without examination ("grandparenting clause").

Cross Trade Credits: In related trades such as Agricultural Equipment Technician, Heavy Duty Equipment Technician Truck & Transport Mechanic, Motor Vehicle Mechanic, Transport Trailer Technician etc. time in trade credits may count towards certification in another trade through the Trade Qualification process. Include official transcript of courses with the Apprenticeship Application Agreement.