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B.C. launches SkilledTradesBC to attract more people to trades, boost prestige
December 1, 2022
By
Talent Canada
British Columbia is launching a skilled trades certification in a bid to attract more people and boost prestige for the sector, it said.
“For too long, B.C. has been the only province in Canada without a skilled trades certification system, putting workers and employers at a disadvantage,” said Anne Kang, Minister of Advanced Education and Skills Training. “By bringing back and enhancing skilled trades certification, we’re turning that around – supporting better-paying, steadier work to attract more people to the trades and helping employers find the workers they need to build stronger communities and a stronger B.C.”
Standardized training, higher wages
The change will formally recognize the skills of trades workers, helping them receive standardized training, earn higher wages and better navigate evolving industry needs, the province said.
Based on recommendations from a stakeholder advisory working group, there are seven initial trades designated for skilled trades certification and three more will be added in 2024. (See below for full list.)
“Tradespeople in B.C. need to be recognized for their skills,” said Andrew Mercier, Parliamentary Secretary for Skills Training. “Our made-in-B.C. skilled trades certification system increases prestige in the trades, while providing workers with more consistent access to better, safer and higher-paid jobs.”
New name: SkilledTradesBC
The Industry Training Authority’s role of administering B.C.’s skilled trades system is being strengthened. With a name change to SkilledTradesBC, the organization will raise the profile of skilled trades, modernize trades training and implement skilled trades certification by working closely and collaboratively with tradespeople, employers and industry partners.
“We are excited by our expanded mandate to implement skilled trades certification, and our new name will make it easier for people to understand who we are and what we do,” said Shelley Gray, CEO, SkilledTradesBC. “SkilledTradesBC will focus on educating tradespeople and employers about skilled trades certification. We will provide online assessment tools and low-cost exam preparation to help workers get certified.”
Investing in the trades is part of StrongerBC’s Future Ready plan. Future Ready is making education and training more accessible, affordable and relevant to help businesses grow and prepare British Columbians for the jobs of tomorrow.
For more information about the skilled trades certification process and the supports available to tradespeople, visit https://skilledtradesbc.ca/skilledtradescertification
Implementing skilled trades certification
Under the new skilled trades certification, uncertified workers in seven trades will have a one-year transition period to support them to get registered as an apprentice or become a certified journeyperson before Dec. 1, 2023:
- Four mechanical trades: gasfitter Class A and B, steamfitter/pipefitter, refrigeration and air-conditioning mechanic, and sheet-metal worker
- Three electrical trades: powerline technician, industrial electrician and electrician (construction)
During the transition period, uncertified workers in these trades can continue working as they register as apprentices or get certified. To ensure high standards of supervision and quality training for apprentices, skilled trades certification will require employers in these seven trades to follow a two-to-one apprentice to journeyperson ratio.
If a worker in these seven trades is already a certified journeyperson (including Red Seal endorsements) or a registered apprentice, nothing will change for them – they already fulfil the requirements of being certified.
Both uncertified workers and employers have a one-year window to become certified and can access supports from SkilledTradesBC. Supports include a team of multilingual skilled trades certification advisers and apprenticeship advisers located throughout the province. These advisers can help workers navigate the registration process or enter the challenge pathway to write the certification exam. Workers or employers can contact SkilledTradesBC for more details at: www.skilledtradesbc.ca; or call 778 328-8700.
Certification and level exams in these seven trades will be free during the one-year transition period. Additionally, there are a variety of provincial and federal supports available to further reduce financial barriers to certification. These supports help cover training costs, such as tuition, travel, living away from home, child care costs and loss of wages.
Three additional automotive trades (heavy-duty equipment technician, automotive service technician, and autobody and collision technician) will be phased in as skilled trades certification trades in 2024 and will also have one year to transition once announced. At this time, no action is required from workers or employers in the automotive sector.
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