Most trade programs have three or four levels, though some have fewer. The trade profiles provide information on the number of levels that are required for a trade. A minimum of one year is required in each level to complete the required on-the-job training hours and technical training. It is not always possible to complete one level of technical training each year, and some apprentices take longer to complete their levels.

You do not need a Grade 12 diploma or equivalent education (such as GED or other) to become an apprentice.

When you complete the Apprenticeship Agreement, provide information on your educational background, such as transcripts from any school you’ve attended, if available; assessments from home schooling programs; or proof of training you’ve taken through work or for personal development.

You can begin the work phase of your apprenticeship to accumulate on-the-job hours. However, you will need to take an assessment before you begin technical training. The assessment will determine if you need to upgrade essential skills before you begin technical training.

If you are successful, you can proceed with registering for technical training. If the assessment shows you need to upgrade some of your skills, you will receive support through Workplace Education Manitoba (WEM) before attending technical training. This support will help you move forward in your trade and there is no charge to you for this support.

Yes, but you must apply for a work permit. If you have a work permit you can register your apprenticeship agreement and become an apprentice. As an apprentice, your hours are being recorded but you cannot attend technical training until you're a permanent resident. Contact Apprenticeship Manitoba if you have more questions.

Yes. People with all different abilities are encouraged to learn more about the skilled trades. Accommodations may be available based on individual needs.

Often accommodations can be made to help address and reduce barriers to meaningful participation. Requests for accommodations will be granted on a case-by-case basis and must also be accompanied by an assessment by a medical professional, such as a medical doctor or psychologist.

If you do not already have a medical assessment, you may still apply for apprenticeship without the form and receive additional support through Workplace Education Manitoba (WEM). Learn more about the Accessibility FIRST program for Red Seal trades.

A Certificate of Qualification is similar to a diploma or degree. It is proof that you fulfilled the required on-the-job hours and technical training for your trade, and that you passed your final certification exam with at least 70 per cent. Anyone with a Certificate of Qualification is called a journeyperson.

Your employer is the person or company who hires you and pays you for your work. Your journeyperson or designated trainer is the person that supervises and mentors you on the job. A journeyperson or designated trainer:

• instructs, supports, and oversees your work
• teaches you relevant concepts for the scope of trade based on your apprenticeship level
• demonstrates the techniques and skills you need to learn on the job
• reports on your progress and makes sure you get opportunities to learn

It is possible for your employer and journeyperson (or designated trainer) to be the same person.

Journeyperson: a person who holds a Certificate of Qualification and whose combined work experience and training satisfy all the requirements for those who practice in a designated trade.

Apprentice: a person who works in a trade under an agreement that is registered with Apprenticeship Manitoba. The apprentice learns the knowledge, skills, tools and materials of their trade through on-the-job training under the supervision of a certified journeyperson. As well, technical training in a classroom setting reinforces and builds upon what is learned on the job.

Apprenticeship Agreement: A document signed by the employer and apprentice outlining the conditions and responsibilities of both parties to the terms of apprenticeship. The agreement is registered with Apprenticeship Manitoba.

On-the-job Hours: A formal record of hours worked by an apprentice and registered by the employer. A minimum number of work hours are required to progress to the next level of apprenticeship.

Technical Training: Technical training, in a classroom, makes up about 20 per cent of an apprenticeship program. The training reinforces what is learned on the job. There is one technical training session per level of your trade and most sessions are between 4-12 weeks long. Technical training takes place at the location of a recognized technical training provider.

Trade Qualifier: A person who can demonstrate scope and time in trade to meet the criteria to attempt the certification exam for their trade. Passing the certification exam allows them to earn their journeyperson status without completing an apprenticeship. The requirements are listed in the trade profile section of the website.

To become an apprentice, you are responsible for finding an employer and completing the Apprenticeship Application process. This includes completing an Apprenticeship Application and Agreement with your employer and registering the agreement with Apprenticeship Manitoba. You will be responsible for completing on-the-job hours and technical training as you advance through the levels of apprenticeship towards the goal of becoming a journeyperson. Learn more about apprenticeship responsibilities and code of conduct.

Once you have an employer you can go through the steps to apply for your apprenticeship. All apprenticeships are managed through the AccessManitoba web portal. This portal is used by apprentices and employers to register the Apprenticeship Agreement. To learn the step-by-step process go to Apply For Your Apprenticeship.

AccessManitoba is a web-based portal that apprentices, employers and Apprenticeship Manitoba use to manage the apprenticeship program.

It is a helpful tool that apprentices use regularly to:

• Update their name, address, phone number and email address to ensure they receive information regarding their apprenticeship
• Apply for apprenticeship
• Check to see when technical training is available for their trade and level
• Register and pay for technical training

Employers use AccessManitoba to register the Apprenticeship Agreement with Apprenticeship Manitoba and log their apprentice's hours.

Yes, if you’re unable to access a computer, please contact Apprenticeship Manitoba. An Apprenticeship Training Coordinator will help you complete the apprenticeship application. However, later on in your apprenticeship journey you will be required to have online access. You will use the AccessManitoba website to register for technical training and to apply for financial support.

Contact the AccessManitoba Help Desk:
Email assistance: accessmanitoba@gov.mb.ca
Hours of operation: Monday to Friday 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Note: If you require Apprenticeship-specific information please contact Apprenticeship Manitoba directly at 204-945-3337 or toll free at 1-877-978-7233.

No, an apprentice cannot log onto AccessManitoba to report or see their hours. Be sure to develop a process with your employer to ensure they submit your hours regularly in AccessManitoba. You can also request a report of your hours by contacting Apprenticeship Manitoba at 204-945-3337, or toll free at 1-877-978-7233.

The official start date for your apprenticeship is based on the day your Apprenticeship Agreement with your employer is registered by Apprenticeship Manitoba. Your agreement will only be registered once it is completed, signed, and all supporting documents are received. Once registered, you will receive a package of information with your start date.

Yes. Apprenticeship Manitoba has an orientation video that takes you step by step through setting up a profile and using the many options for applications and reports as an apprentice or as an employer.

Once your apprenticeship is registered with Apprenticeship Manitoba an apprenticeship card will be mailed to you. The apprenticeship card provides official identification when on a job site. Your apprenticeship card is also required for some federal grants.

Carrying your apprenticeship card is mandatory and should always be with you while you are working. This is especially the case when apprentices are working in compulsory certification trades. 

It is recommended that your employer update your on-the-job hours before you are set to take technical training, or at minimum every 6 months. If you are leaving the employment of a company, be sure your hours are updated on AccessManitoba before your last day of work.

As an apprentice, you are encouraged to manage your program and keep your own copy of hours worked on-the-job. It’s helpful to compare your hours with the hours reported by your employer to Apprenticeship Manitoba.

Employers must use the AccessManitoba portal to report hours worked by apprentices to Apprenticeship Manitoba every six to 12 months. You can check your reported hours with your Apprenticeship Training Coordinator.

Note that as of January 2023, the “blue book” paper copy of hours is no longer used to track hours. Only AccessManitoba will be used to log hours for apprentices. Apprentices are provided a copy of their client profile upon completion of a technical training course. This will provide a breakdown of on-the-job hours and technical training hours.

If you have changed employers, you will need to complete a Change of Employer application (a new Apprenticeship Agreement) to register your apprenticeship with your new employer. Contact Apprenticeship Manitoba and check that a record of your work hours was completed by your former employer. If hours are missing, contact your former employer to ensure they have logged all of the hours you have worked.

You can provide a copy of your record of employment (ROE) issued by that employer, to your Apprenticeship Training Coordinator. 

Yes, if the company you work for was bought out by another company, technically speaking, you have a new employer. You will need to complete a new Apprenticeship Agreement to register your apprenticeship with the new owner.

Talk with your journeyperson and/or employer about the best time for you to take technical training. Some trades are seasonal and there may be a preferred time of year when work is slower. Your employer will also know how many on-the-job hours you have accumulated and if you’re eligible to register. To progress through the required levels, you must accumulate on-the-job hours before you are eligible to take the next level of technical training. You should expect to work about six months before scheduling your first level of technical training and then take technical training about once a year.

I can prepare for technical training registration in the following ways:

• Log-in to my AccessManitoba account to make sure it is active.
• Confirm with my employer that I have sufficient on-the-job hours logged to progress to the next level of technical training.
• Ensure my employer is okay with the technical training session I want to register for, and that we have a back-up session time in case my preference is full.
• Check that I have a valid form of payment.
• Review the website information to know when I can begin registration for technical training.

Apprentices may qualify to go on Employment Insurance during technical training. In addition, there may be support for travel, lodging, child care and more. Check Financial Support During Technical Training.

In most instances, apprentices should log into their AccessManitoba profile. You can see available seats, register and pay for your course all in AccessManitoba. However, there are some instances when you should call Apprenticeship Manitoba to register instead. For example:

• if you have HSAP incentive credits
• if you are repeating a level of technical training
• if your employer is paying for your technical training

Learn more in the technical training section of the website.

You may have created a profile and/or a profile may have been created for you by Apprenticeship Manitoba. To get access to the correct profile that is linked to training information please email the AccessManitoba help desk at AccessManitoba@gov.mb.ca. It’s also a good idea to review the section What’s New: Technical Training Course Registration to ensure your eligibility.

No, registering for training is on a first come, first served basis and must be paid for when you register. Apprenticeship Manitoba cannot hold or guarantee a seat for an apprentice. Check AccessManitoba frequently as seats are added on a regular basis.

Online or by phone*: You can only pay with a credit card (Visa/MasterCard only).
By mail: You can pay with credit card (Visa/MasterCard only), cheque or money order.

If you do not have a credit card, you can buy a prepaid Visa or MasterCard at a bank to complete an online purchase. Be sure to buy the credit card for the full amount required. Online purchases must be made using one credit card number. All major banks offer this service (TD Canada Trust, Royal Bank, Scotiabank, CIBC, Bank of Montreal). Not all credit unions accommodate this request. Please check directly with your preferred financial institution or one of the banks listed above.

*Apprenticeship Manitoba applications cannot be paid for on the phone.

Technical training course registration is on a first-come, first-served basis. If you select a course and your credit card is declined, it is possible that someone else may take the seat you were trying to reserve. It is important to ensure there are sufficient funds on the credit card and the credit card information is entered accurately.

Check back online to see if more seats open up. Apprenticeship Manitoba does not maintain a wait or cancellation list.

Apprentices transferring from the High School Apprenticeship Program (HSAP) into the post-secondary apprenticeship program may be able to use HSAP credits to pay for technical training personal contribution.

You must indicate that you have tuition credits when registering for technical training in order for them to be applied to your personal contribution. If you register for your course online and pay for your course with your own money, you will not be refunded.

Apprentices who are registering with HSAP credits must call 204-945-4016 or go in person to Apprenticeship Manitoba to register for technical training. Payments made using HSAP credits are non-refundable and non-transferable.

For apprentices in the voluntary trades, some may find job satisfaction after completing only part of their apprenticeship. They may find the wages and job responsibility are what they are looking for and do not feel the need to complete their apprenticeship. However, if it is compulsory certification trade, it means you must be either - a) registered as an apprentice, b) be a certified journeyperson, or c) have an approved exemption to be employed in the trade.

Wages for the different trades vary. Minimum wage rates for apprentices are regulated under The Apprenticeship and Certification Act. As you proceed through your levels, your wage goes up. Find posted minimum wage rates for apprentices here.

Staff at any workplace deserve a safe and respectful environment to do their job. Contact Work Manitoba or your industry’s safety association for more information.

A certification exam tests your knowledge of all of the tasks and activities of your trade. It is a four-hour multiple-choice exam. Samples exams are available in your trade profile. Also, take advantage of exam preparation tips and plan to study for your exam.

A passing grade is 70 per cent or higher for the final certification exam.

Do not be discouraged! Use what you have learned from your previous experience to help prepare you for your next attempt. You can repeat technical training or rewrite your certification exam (including Red Seal or provincial certification exams). Your Apprenticeship Training Coordinator will provide you with more information about the steps you need to take. You should also review the exam resources and consider these resources and tools:

• Your technical training instructor is there to provide you with support during technical training.
• Sample exams are available to help you study for your certification exam; they are in the trade profile for your trade.
• You may also contact your Apprenticeship Training Coordinator to see if you are eligible for additional support from Apprenticeship Manitoba.

Some trades in Manitoba require a practical exam to earn your Certificate of Qualification. Check your trade profile to see if your trade has this requirement.