Glossary of Terms for Apprenticeship Training and Trades Certification
This glossary is intended to define commonly used terms in skilled trades and apprenticeship in Canada. It should be noted that since apprenticeship and trade certification is a provincial/territorial responsibility, there can sometime be variations in the terminology used by different jurisdictions. Where this is the case, multiple terms are provided in this glossary.
- Accreditation
- A process by which an apprenticeship authority grants permission to a training establishment to deliver a prescribed program of study for a trade.
for French equivalent, see accréditation - Apprentice
- A person who works in a trade and is registered as an apprentice with the provincial/territorial Apprenticeship Authority. The apprentice learns how to practice the trade under the supervision of an experienced and skilled tradesperson. At some point(s) during the apprenticeship, the person may also attend in-school technical training that supports their learning in the trade.(See also Registered Apprentice)
for French equivalent, see apprenti ou apprentie - Apprentice On-the-Job Training Standards, Blue Book, Logbook, Practical Training Record Book or Progress Record Book
- A document issued to registered apprentices that they use to track their time in the trade, as well as tasks and activities that they have learned. This information is signed off by a supervising journeyperson/equivalent/mentor.The name given to the document may differ between provinces/territories.
for French equivalent, see carnet d’apprenti ou d’apprentie, registre , journal ou livret d’inscription des progrès réalisés - Apprenticeship
- A structured system of supervised work-based training leading to certification in a designated trade. Apprenticeship in Canada is generally split between on-the-job learning (80% - 85%) and in school-technical training (15% - 20%) delivered by an approved training provider.
for French equivalent, see apprentissage - Apprenticeship Authority
- The organization with the regulatory authority (conferred by provincial or territorial legislation) for apprenticeship training and trade certification.
for French equivalent, see autorité en matière d’apprentissage - Apprenticeship Contract/ Agreement or Training Agreement
- A document provided by the apprenticeship authority that is signed by the apprentice and their sponsor (employer, union, other) to outline the conditions and responsibilities of both parties to the terms of apprenticeship. Depending on the province/territory, the agreement may also be signed by an agent of the apprenticeship authority.
for French equivalent, see contrat d’apprentissage, accord sur l’apprentissage ou convention de formation - Apprenticeship Level
- Period of an apprenticeship program, including a combination of both formal training and work experience. Each level generally includes successful completion of in-school technical training and theoretical/practical assessments. Apprenticeship programs may include multiple levels of training, depending on the trade and the province or territory.
for French equivalent, see niveau d’apprentissage - Apprenticeship Program Outline, Curriculum Standard or Program Outline
- The organization of topics and performance objectives to be learned during each period of an apprenticeship program's in-school technical training. While specific in province/territory, provincial outlines are often aligned with the RSOS/NOA for Red Seal trades.
for French equivalent, see sommaire du programme d’apprentissage, normes du programme ou sommaire du programme - Apprenticeship Term
- The normal length of time required for a person to attain journeyperson status from the time of registration as an apprentice and is usually a combination of both formal training and work experience. The length of time is generally expressed in years and hours per year or in hours
for French equivalent, see durée de l’apprentissage - Assessment
- A measure of existing knowledge, skills and behaviours. Assessments are completed by apprentices and qualification candidates to demonstrate knowledge and competency.
for French equivalent, see évaluation - Block Release Training or Level Training
- A method by which apprentices are released by their employers to attend in-school technical training for a specified period. While this is the most common model in most provinces and territories, other delivery modes may exist. (e.g., day release; evenings and weekends; distance learning; hybrid of on-line/in-person)
for French equivalent, see congé pour études à temps plein ou formation de niveau - Canadian Council of Directors of Apprenticeship (CCDA)
- A national body comprised of the provincial and territorial government officials responsible for managing and directing apprenticeship programs and two federal government representatives. The mission of the Council is to facilitate the mobility of the apprentices and journeypersons in Canada through the establishment of uniform standards in training and examinations as confirmed by a Red Seal endorsement.
for French equivalent, see Conseil canadien des directeurs de l’apprentissage (CCDA) - Certificate of Apprenticeship
- A document issued to a person who has successfully completed all requirements for a formalized apprenticeship training program.
for French equivalent, see certificat d’apprentissage - Certificate of Qualification
- A certificate issued to a candidate who has successfully completed an apprenticeship program or has equivalent experience or qualifications and has attained the prescribed pass mark on the certification examination to qualify as a journeyperson in that trade.
for French equivalent, see certificat de qualification - Certification
- The acquisition of a Certificate of Qualification.
for French equivalent, see reconnaissance professionnelle - Certification Only
- A trade where, in the province or territory that designates it, no apprenticeship program exists (usually because of low demand), but candidates with the requisite experience in a trade may be assessed and issued certification by the apprenticeship authority.
for French equivalent, see certificat seulement - Common Core
- The sub-tasks in a Red Seal Occupational Standard (RSOS) or National Occupational Analysis (NOA) that have been identified by the industry as being performed by workers in at least 70 percent of the provinces and territories that validated the RSOS/NOA.
for French equivalent, see tâches communes - Compulsory
- A requirement in which people entering or working in a designated trade must hold a valid Certificate of Qualification or Provisional Certificate of Qualification or be registered as an apprentice in order to practice [the full scope/restricted skill sets] in the trade.
See also Voluntary Certification.
for French equivalent, see obligatoire - Designation (provincial/territorial)
- The process by which each provincial and territorial apprenticeship authority determines which trades are to be recognized or prescribed for apprenticeship training and/or certification within their jurisdiction.
for French equivalent, see désignation (provinciale ou territoriale) - Designation (Red Seal)
- The process by which the Canadian Council of Directors of Apprenticeship (CCDA) determines what skilled trades in Canada are part of the Red Seal Program. Each provincial and territorial apprenticeship authority also individually designates or prescribes which of these Red Seal trades they take part in in their own jurisdiction.
for French equivalent, see désignation (Sceau rouge) - Ellis Chart
- The Ellis Chart website provides comparative apprenticeship and certification information on designated trades in Canada. This includes both Red Seal trades and non-Red Seal trades.
for French equivalent, see Tableau Ellis - Employer
- A person, corporation, partnership, unincorporated association, or a municipal, provincial or other public authority eligible to provide on-the job training to an apprentice and to enter into an Apprenticeship Agreement .
See also Sponsor.
for French equivalent, see employeur ou employeuse - Entrance Requirements
- A set of apprenticeship program eligibility criteria that may stipulate minimum age length, level, and scope of education; or other types of training, or experience. May include stipulated minimal levels of achievement and/or minimal scores on examinations.
for French equivalent, see conditions d’admission - Forum of Labour Market Ministers (FLMM)
- The FLMM is composed of federal, provincial and territorial Ministers responsible for labour market policies and programs. It is a platform for collaboration and partnership to address shared labour market issues. Through the FLMM, federal, provincial and territorial governments work to ensure Canada has a skilled, adaptable and inclusive workforce that supports a competitive Canadian economy.
for French equivalent, see Forum des ministres du marché du travail (FMMT) - Funding for Apprenticeship Training
- Government funding available to assist with the costs associated with the training of an apprentice. Wages are paid during the on-the-job period by the employer, but wage subsidy programs may exist. The cost of the in-school technical portion of training is, in most cases, shared between the provincial or territorial government and the federal government, while in others they are paid in total by one party. Provinces, territories and the federal government may offer incentive/bonus programs to help apprentices and sponsors cover training costs.
for French equivalent, see financement de la formation en apprentissage - Harmonization of Apprenticeship Training
- An initiative between provincial and territorial apprenticeship authorities to align aspects of their respective apprenticeship systems, such as hours of training, levels of training and the sequence of in-school technical training within specific Red Seal trades. Harmonization aims to improve the mobility of apprentices, support an increase in their completion rates and enable employers to access a larger pool of apprentices.
for French equivalent, see harmonisation de la formation en apprentissage - Individualized Training
- A single learner-focused (as opposed to a group of learners) method of providing apprenticeship in-school technical training instruction utilizing current communications technologies and/or a facilitator/instructor in a classroom, shop or lab. Provinces and territories that are moving to an individualized course method of instruction will show only the total hours of training as opposed to a number of periods and total weeks of instruction. Modularized learning resource materials are often used to support this type of training delivery.
for French equivalent, see méthode de prestation de la formation – individuelle - Interprovincial Alliance of Apprenticeship Board Chairs (IPA)
- The IPA includes the chairs of provincial and territorial Apprenticeship Boards and Commissions. The mandate of the Alliance is to strengthen interprovincial apprenticeship cooperation at the industry level by creating an organization which links the apprenticeship, trade certification, and related work-based training systems of the provinces and territories of Canada. The Alliance represents the voice of industry in these provinces and territories through the collective voice of its members.
for French equivalent, see Alliance interprovinciale des présidents des commissions d’apprentissage (AIP) - Interprovincial Computerized Examination Management System (ICEMS)
- A system intended to manage the Interprovincial Red Seal Examination development process. Computer technology is used to store and selectively retrieve examination items from a bank, automate the process of examinations and track examination candidates.
for French equivalent, see Système informatisé de gestion des examens interprovinciaux (SIGEI) - Interprovincial Standards Examination Committee (ISEC)
- A working group of the Canadian Council of Directors of Apprenticeship (CCDA) comprised of senior staff responsible for the development of training standards and certification examinations within their provinces and territories. It also includes two representatives from the federal department that supports the Red Seal Program. ISEC oversees the development and administration of Red Seal standards and examinations.
for French equivalent, see Comité des normes et examens interprovinciaux (CNEI) - Journeyperson
- A skilled trades professional who is qualified to practice the trade, and, where required, holds a Certificate of Qualification.
for French equivalent, see compagnon ou compagne - Licence
- Document issued by a licensing or regulatory body that indicates the holder has met all the requirements for the issuance of the license at that point in time. When valid, a license permits the holder to practice the trade/activity for which the license has been issued.
for French equivalent, see permis d’exercice - Major Work Activity (MWA) or Block
- The largest elements of an occupational standard (MWA for Red Seal Occupational Standard, and Block for National Occupational Analysis). Each MWA/Block is made up of a number of Tasks.
for French equivalent, see activité principale ou bloc - Mentorship
- Giving coaching, advice and instruction in trade practices to learners or apprentices. Mentors may be experienced journeypersons or others in the profession.
for French equivalent, see mentorat - National Occupational Analysis (NOA)
- A document that details tasks and sub-tasks performed by workers in a trade or occupation. The National Occupational Analyses for Red Seal trades are developed by industry practitioners, under the guidance of the federal government and with the assistance of the provinces and territories. The National Occupational Analysis is used as the base document to develop a Red Seal Examination.
Note:
the NOA format was discontinued in 2015, and a new format, called the Red Seal Occupational Standard (RSOS) was introduced. By 2026, all Red Seal trades should be in the RSOS format.
Until replaced by the RSOS for a trade, the CCDA recognizes the NOA as the national standard for an occupation.
for French equivalent, see analyse nationale de profession (ANP) - National Occupational Classification (NOC)
- A classification system for all occupations in Canada.
for French equivalent, see Classification nationale des professions (CNP) - Occupation
- A set of skills that, with some variation, are similar in their main tasks or duties or in the type of work performed. The skills that comprise an occupation are considered together for the purposes of classification or setting of standards. The definition of an occupation may differ between provinces and territories in Canada or between countries.
for French equivalent, see profession - Practical Training or On-the-job training
- The part of apprenticeship training in which an apprentice works on a job site learning the skills of a designated trade under the supervision of a journeyperson, in accordance with the apprentice on-the-job training standard for the trade.
for French equivalent, see formation pratique ou formation en cours d’emploi - Pre-Apprenticeship Training
- A program that takes place before formal apprenticeship whose intent is to prepare participants to enter the trade and start an apprenticeship; such programs may include orientation to the trade(s), academic upgrading, development of employability skills and essential skills (skills for success), safety training and introductory trade-specific skills development.
for French equivalent, see formation préalable à l’apprentissage - Prerequisite
- Specific experience or education required of a person for entrance to an apprenticeship program. See also Entry Requirements
for French equivalent, see préalable - Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition (PLAR)
- A process through which recognition is extended towards completion of an apprenticeship for skills, knowledge or competencies that have been acquired experientially through work experience, previous education and training or self-study. The prior learning should articulate with the formal in-school technical training or on-the-job training requirements for the trade or occupation in which the apprenticeship is to be served and may result in the apprentice being excused from some training requirements. (e.g., schooling levels).
for French equivalent, see évaluation et reconnaissance des acquis (ERDA) - Program Development Officer (PDO), Program Development Specialist (PDS) or Education Consultant (EC)
- A person work works for a provincial or territorial apprenticeship authority who is responsible for facilitating the development and evaluation of occupational training and certification programs, including interprovincial and other examinations and standards.
for French equivalent, see agent ou agente de développement de programmes, spécialiste de développement de programmes ou conseiller ou conseillère pédagogique - Program Standards
- Expectations of performance and achievement for certification in a particular trade. These standards include pass marks, quality assurance, program progression criteria and certification criteria.
for French equivalent, see normes d’un programme - Qualification
- Possession of set(s) of skills and knowledge for entry into an occupation or an educational institution, or for practice of a profession or occupation.
for French equivalent, see qualification - Ratio – Apprentice to Journeyperson
- The maximum number of apprentices that may be supervised by each supervising journeyperson.
for French equivalent, see ratio – apprenti ou apprentie par compagnon ou compagne - Red Seal
- A nationally registered trademark symbol that signifies interprovincial endorsement of certified journeypersons. It is affixed to the provincial and territorial Certificates of Qualification of those who have met the requirements in the province or territory and have passed the Red Seal examination for their trade.
for French equivalent, see Sceau rouge - Red Seal Designated Trade
- A trade that has been designated by the Canadian Council of Directors of Apprenticeship (CCDA) for inclusion in the Red Seal Program. The training and certification are based on the RSOS/NOA. Provinces and territories who participate in the Red Seal Program for that trade may affix a Red Seal to the certificates of candidates who pass the Red Seal examination.
for French equivalent, see métier désigné Sceau rouge - Red Seal Examination
- A standardized interprovincial examination for each Red Seal trade. The successful completion of a Red Seal examination leads to a Red Seal endorsement which is affixed to the provincial Certificate of Qualification.
for French equivalent, see examen Sceau rouge - Red Seal Occupational Standard (RSOS)
-
A document that details tasks and sub-tasks performed by workers in a trade or occupation, and the skills and knowledge required to perform them. Occupational standards for Red Seal trades are developed by industry practitioners, under the guidance of the federal government and with the assistance of the provinces and territories. The RSOS is used as the base document to develop a Red Seal Examination, as well as a base document to design apprenticeship training programs and curricula.
The CCDA recognizes the RSOS as the national standard for the occupation.
Note:
the NOA format was discontinued in 2015, when the Red Seal Occupational Standard (RSOS) was introduced. By 2026, all Red Seal trades should be in the RSOS format.
for French equivalent, see Norme professionnelle du Sceau rouge (NPSR) - Red Seal Program or Interprovincial Standards Red Seal Program
- A program that sets common standards to assess the skills of tradespeople across Canada. Industry is heavily involved in developing the national standard for each trade. It is a partnership between the federal government and provinces and territories, which are responsible for apprenticeship training and trade certification in their province or territory.
for French equivalent, see Programme du Sceau rouge ou Programme des normes interprovinciales Sceau rouge - Registered Apprentice
- A trainee who has met all the requirements for entrance into an apprenticeship program and who has signed an apprenticeship contract or agreement with an employer, sponsor or joint apprenticeship training committee. The term “registered” is now regularly being used instead of the term “indentured”.
for French equivalent, see apprenti inscrit ou apprentie inscrite - Registration
- A formal process requiring an individual to meet all the requirements for apprenticeship, including signing an apprenticeship contract, agreement or memorandum of understanding with an employer.
for French equivalent, see inscription - Regulations
- The formal rules by which the principles outlined in provincial and territorial Acts governing apprenticeship training are to be carried out. Each designated trade may have a set of regulations covering some or all aspects of training and certification.
for French equivalent, see réglementation - Scope of a Trade
- The activities performed in a particular trade or occupation, as defined by provincial/territorial legislation/regulations.
for French equivalent, see champ de compétence d’un métier - Sequencing of Curriculum
- The arranging of learning content in a logical order for training activity.
for French equivalent, see ordonnancement du programme d’études - Skill Updating
- The training required to bring a person’s skill or set of skills up to date with new methods, technology and procedures required in the trade or occupation in which the person is currently employed or certified.
for French equivalent, see perfectionnement professionnel - Skilled Trade
- Type of occupation that includes hands-on activities and requires skills and knowledge of the subject.
for French equivalent, see métier spécialisé - Specialization
- A situation in which a person’s training or work in a trade is concentrated or focused on a segment of the trade.
for French equivalent, see spécialisation - Sponsor
- A person or body who is approved and registered, along with an apprentice, with the provincial/territorial apprenticeship authority through a formal apprenticeship training agreement. The sponsor is willing and able to ensure the apprentice receives training and related practical experience in the tasks, activities and functions that are carried out in that trade. The sponsor must sign off that the apprentice has demonstrated their ability to perform the required skills as set out in the apprentice on-the-job training standard, in order for the apprentice to complete their program.
for French equivalent, see parrain ou marraine - Sub-task
- The smallest unit of the RSOS/NOA into which it is practical to divide any work activity. The complete set of sub-tasks make up a Task. All Red Seal exam questions are meant to test Sub-tasks in the trade.
for French equivalent, see sous-tâche - Task
- A unit in the RSOS/NOA that together, make up a Major Work Activity. Each task is made up of a number of sub-tasks.
for French equivalent, see tâche - Technical Training or In-School Technical Training
- A period of formal instruction provided to apprentices that places emphasis on teaching the theoretical component of the trade or occupation, reinforced where appropriate, with shop/lab training. This training is intended to supplement the on-the-job training and is typically offered in a post-secondary school setting.
for French equivalent, see formation technique ou formation technique en classe - Trade Advisory Committee
- Committee of stakeholders that represents the interests of employers and labour; it is designated by a provincial or territorial agency, to offer advice and make recommendations regarding apprenticeship and journeyperson training and certification standards for a trade or group of related trades. Representatives are knowledgeable in the trade(s) or occupation(s) and are seen as the primary vehicle for ensuring industry has a voice in the development and delivery of apprenticeship training.
for French equivalent, see comité consultatif - Trade Qualifier or Challenger (Trade Equivalency Assessment)
- An individual who has worked in a trade but has not completed a formal apprenticeship program and applies to attempt the certification (provincial or interprovincial) examination for that trade. Eligibility criteria are established by the apprenticeship authority in each province or territory (specified in the Ellis Chart).
for French equivalent, see travailleur expérimenté ou travailleuse expérimentée - Training Institution, Training Provider or Training Delivery Agent
- A public or private college or postsecondary institute that provides in-school technical training services.
for French equivalent, see établissement de formation, fournisseur de formation ou agent de formation - Validation
- A process whereby industry in each participating province or territory confirms whether sub-tasks contained in the RSOS/NOA are part of the trade in their jurisdiction.
for French equivalent, see validation - Voluntary Certification or Non-Compulsory Certification
- A situation in which certification is available in a designated trade, but there is no legislated requirement that individuals must be registered apprentices or a certified journeypersons to legally practice the trade.
for French equivalent, see reconnaissance professionnelle facultative ou reconnaissance professionnelle non obligatoire - Weighting
- The process whereby industry in each province or territory assigns a number (percentage) of Red Seal exam questions that will be tested for activities contained in the RSOS/NOA.
for French equivalent, see pondération