Pathways to Certification

an Automotive Refinishing Technician in full white painting suit and helmet painting a vehicle in a spray booth.

Being a journeyperson demonstrates that you have met Manitoba’s high industry standards as a skilled expert in your trade, helps you be more employable and earn higher wages, and allows you to mentor apprentices.

There are two main paths you can take to earn your certification. You either complete the apprenticeship program, or, if you have experience working in the trade, you can challenge the certification exam as a trade qualifier. In either option, you must meet all the requirements of your trade and successfully pass the certification exam to obtain your Certificate of Qualification and become a journeyperson.

Pathways to Journeyperson Certification Infographic. The content can be accessed via the PDF which will open in a new tab.

Pathways to Journeyperson Certification Infographic

a simple outline of a person with the letter A in the centre. An apprenticeship is a form of post-secondary education like university or college but there’s a big difference. An apprenticeship is a combination of on-the-job training and classroom learning that leads to a Certificate of Qualification. Apprentices not only learn skills in a classroom but also receive paid on-the-job training with an employer.

If you are ready to learn more about what is involved with an apprenticeship, keep exploring the apprenticeship program.

Depending on your life experience and the stage you are at, there are two programs to consider that may help prepare you for the apprenticeship program:

  1. High School Apprenticeship Program
  2. Pre-employment Program

High School Apprenticeship Program

If you are in grade 10, 11, or 12, HSAP is your opportunity to learn valuable trade skills before you graduate from high school. HSAP gives you real-world experience and an advantage when starting your career. Working as a student-apprentice lets you earn up to eight high school credits for your work hours. Once you graduate and go on to a post-secondary apprenticeship, the credits you earned may pay for some of your technical training fees and your work hours will be applied to your Level 1 training hours.

HSAP Student Guide HSAP
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    Independent and Home Schools

    If you are from a non-funded independent school or are being homeschooled, there is an additional step when you and your employer submit your apprenticeship agreement.

    You are required to do one of two things:

    • You can register with a public high school so that the school can provide you with an assessment and grant academic credits for you. A letter from the school must be submitted with the apprenticeship application; or
    • You can be endorsed by the Home School Program with a letter or email stating that they will be responsible for assessing your HSAP credit. Contact: Manitoba Education and Early Childhood Learning.
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    Mature Students

    If you are a mature student, you must demonstrate completion of Manitoba’s grade 9 Math and English (or their equivalents) or you may also be assessed with current standing in Manitoba Grade 10, 11 or 12 Math and Grade 10, 11 or 12 English. Learn more about the Provincial Assessment Program .

Pre-Employment Program

Completion of a pre-employment program can provide credit towards Level 1 of your apprenticeship program. This path into apprenticeship allows you to learn some trade skills before you begin your apprenticeship and may make it easier to find an employer.

For example, if you pass your Automotive Service Technician pre-employment program with an overall grade of 70 per cent or higher, you could receive credit for Level 1 technical training when you register as an apprentice. This credit is valid only if you register as an apprentice within two years of completing the pre-employment program.

Find a Pre-employment Program

There are over 100 pre-employment programs provided by public schools, colleges and registered private vocational institutions throughout Manitoba that can provide credit towards an apprenticeship program. Check the Trade Profiles to see which training institutes offer pre-employment programs that qualify for apprenticeship.

Apply

If you choose the pre-employment path, technically you are not yet an apprentice. Follow these steps:

  1. Select a pre-employment program and verify with the school that this program qualifies for the Apprenticeship Program.
  2. Apply for your course directly with the school.
  3. Successfully complete your pre-employment program with an overall grade of at least 70 per cent.
  4. Find an employer and then follow the steps under Apply for your Apprenticeship
  5. You will complete an Apprenticeship Agreement with your employer and register it with Apprenticeship Manitoba. At this time, you will provide your pre-employment course records to apply for credit towards Level 1 technical training.
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a simple outline of a person with the letters TQ in the centre. If you have experience working in the trades already, review the trade profile for your trade and click on the tab for “Trade Qualifier.” Learn what the requirements are to challenge the certification exam. If you have the required scope of trade, time in the trade, and you pass the certification exam, you can achieve your journeyperson status without becoming an apprentice.

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