How to Pass the Red Seal Challenge Exam

You have expertise in your trade, but do you have the knowledge to pass your Red Seal challenge exam? Theory and application can be quite different when it comes to testing versus hands-on work and sometimes, very skilled and qualified tradespeople are surprised when they don’t do as well on their Red Seal challenge exam as they’d hoped. While having the hands-on skills is the point of the Red Seal certification, knowing the theory behind those skills is essential to successfully completing and passing the exam.

Before taking the exam, you must prove your eligibility. This includes a minimum number of hours of trade-specific work experience, experience in the full-scope of the trade and any other requirements based on your specific trade. You will need to apply to challenge the exam as well as providing relevant apprenticeship information. Once approved, you can book your exam time and get ready to take it.

Red Seal challenge exams range between 100 and 150 multiple-choice questions depending upon the trade and are four hours in length. To pass, you must achieve 70% or more.

How to Prepare for a Red Seal Challenge Exam

If you’ve decided it’s time to take the Red Seal challenge exam for your trade, you can prepare in a number of ways. You might start by asking your Red Seal certified colleagues how they prepared for their exam, what their results were and what they would do the same way or differently. But do keep in mind that everyone learns in different ways. What may have worked for one individual may not be the best way for you to prepare. Some people need more structure around their education while others are good at pushing themselves to do the studying and preparation required on their own.

Red Seal Challenge Exam Preparation Courses

For those who require more structure and time blocked off in order to prepare for their exam, a Red Seal challenge preparation course may be the best way to establish a study routine and practice. Depending upon the school you choose to help you with your studies, you may find prep courses in person or online. Online courses offer the greatest flexibility of course and that’s ideal for someone who is working in the trade during the day and studying at night, on weekends or during breaks. Not to mention the fact that you will be able to continue attending course sessions from anywhere that offers an internet connection as long as you have a camera and microphone-enabled computer.

When considering a prep course for the Red Seal challenge exam, look for one that is taught by those who have earned their Red Seal certification and understand the trade as well as the need to prepare for the exam in order to the pass. You’ll also want to know that the course includes practice exams so that you have a feel for the questions and flow of the exam and won’t be surprised when it’s time to write it. Additionally, look for a school that offers ways to ask questions and get instruction on the areas you specifically need help with. There is no point in taking a one-way class where the instructor forces information on you without learning where you need more help! You’ll want to be able to ask for assistance in the areas that are giving you trouble as you review the information required for the exam.

Another point to consider is to look for courses and instructors that understand a variety of teaching methods – as mentioned, everyone learns differently – so that there are a range of tools and tips you can try during your studying process to determine what works best for you.

Red Seal Exam Preparation Guides

While preparation courses are likely to offer exam guides, you don’t need to take a course to access these materials. If you feel confident in studying on your own without an instructor, you can download the PDF version of the guide from the Red Seal program website at http://www.red-seal.ca/resources/g.2tr.2.1dy-eng.html. The guide is much more than just study material. It outlines the steps needed prior to applying to challenge the exam, special considerations when registering for the exam and preparation tips. It also explains how to find the breakdown of the exam’s focus and how to determine the approximate number of questions in each area of the trade. You’ll also find information about how the exam works, sample study plans and more within the study guide.

Get to Know the NOA for your Trade

Within the guide and the main part of preparation courses will focus on the NOA (National Occupation Analysis) for your specific trade. The NOA is really a study guide in itself and can be found on the Red Seal site within each specific trade. For example, the NOA for an Agricultural Equipment Technician can be viewed at http://www.red-seal.ca/trades/agriequiptech/2012n.4.1_.4v.2rv.3.2w-eng.html. Within the NOA are sub-tasks of your trade and these are what the exam questions are based on. Sub-task sections explain the functions to be performed by a trade and the skills needed to be competent at that trade.

Talk to Others in the Trade

At the end of each NOA is a task profile chart that shows all the tasks and sub-tasks needed for a trade. This can be used to do a check of your own skills. Which tasks and sub-tasks do you feel you know well? Which would you need to know more about in order to explain them to someone else? Use the areas that you can’t confidently talk about and explain to identify areas where you need more study time. Talk to your boss, review the NOA and ask colleagues to help you better understand those sections or consider taking a prep course to ensure those weaker spots become strengths you are confident with.

Take Sample Tests

The Red Seal site and preparation courses offer sample tests. These are one of the most valuable study resources because they give you a real-life idea of how the test will flow and what you can expect.

If earning your Red Seal certification is important to you, you’ll want to get to know the NOA for your trade and start studying before you even apply to challenge the exam. Make studying a priority and talk to others about their study methods.

Red Seal Certification for Heavy Equipment Operators (Dozer)

Heavy equipment operators (dozer) operate dozers and are employed by a variety of employers, including construction companies, heavy equipment contractors, public works departments, pipeline, mining, oil, and other industries. Dozers are used in various types of projects such as road construction and maintenance, the building of bridges, airports, pipelines, tunnels, in mining, quarrying, clearing land, earth moving, amongst other projects. The technicians are specialists in operating, inspecting, and maintaining this equipment.   

What is Red Seal?

Administered by the Canadian Council of Directors of Apprenticeship (CCDA), the Red Seal program is the national standard of excellence for skilled trades in Canada. Tradespersons who successfully pass the Red Seal examination, receive a Red Seal Endorsement (RSE) on their provincial/territorial trade certificate. This endorsement demonstrates that the tradesperson has all the skills, competence and knowledge to practise their trade anywhere across Canada without need for any further examination. In this blog, we will talk about how heavy equipment operators (dozer) can get their RSE.

The Benefits of a Red Seal Certification

As a heavy equipment operator (dozer), when you get a Red Seal Endorsement, it provides confidence and assurance to employers and your clients that you’re a skilled and competent journeyperson. The endorsement also brings a lot of respect and admiration from the industry.

If you’re new to Canada and have extensive experience in operating heavy equipment (dozers) in your origin country, getting the RSE can help you get the job opportunities and income you deserve.

How to Get the Red Seal Certification for Heavy Equipment Operators (Dozer)

There are many ways you can achieve the Red Seal certification for your trade, which is a designated Red Seal trade in Newfoundland, Nova Scotia, Ontario and Prince Edward Island. Here, we will discuss how you can challenge the Red Seal Exam. 

Challenger: If you’re an experienced tradesperson living in Canada but were never certified, or are a recent immigrant with extensive trade experience in your home country, you can challenge the interprovincial Red Seal exam in the Heavy EquipmentOperator (Dozer) trade. If you’re approved by the ITA to challenge the exam and successfully pass the exam, you will be granted the Certificate of Qualification with a Red Seal Endorsement in your trade.

About the Read Seal Exam

1. The exam contains 100 to 150 multiple choice questions per exam, depending on the trade.

2. You will be tested on your trade knowledge, skills and abilities as listed in the National Occupation Analysis for your trade. The exam questions are based on the NOA sub-tasks.

3. The maximum time allowed to complete the exam is 4 hours, and the pass mark is 70%.

4. Things you can bring to the Examination: Government-issued photo ID, such as a valid driver’s license and the examination confirmation letter. Like most professional and academic exams, you won’t be able to carry any personal items such as bags, cell phones, or any other type of electronic devices.

Preparing for the Red Seal Exam

Know the format of the exam

The more you learn about the format of the Red Seal exams, the better your chances of success. You can familiarize yourself with the structure and format by completing sample tests that maybe available online.

Language training

If English or French is not your first language, you may want to take some language training to be better prepared for your exam.

Join an exam prep course 

Prep courses are a great way to gain the confidence to tackle the Red Seal exam. Faculty who teach these programs are skilled, qualified red-seal certified professionals, having passed the exam themselves and therefore, understand the common challenges students face. 

If you’re ready to challenge the Red Seal exam, complete the Challenge Application and submit it to ITA. Your application will be assessed for proof and scope of experience before it is approved.

Good luck with your exam.

Red Seal Certification for Industrial Electricians

According to the Canadian Occupational Projections System, over the period 2017-2026, new job openings for industrial electricians are expected to total 14,500. The job opportunities arise from the expansion demand and high retirement rates of the aging workforce. To take advantage of this trend and be able to access well-paid jobs across the country industrial electricians can obtain Red Seal certification which will validate their knowledge and experience in all provinces and territories of Canada.     

What is the scope of work of industrial electricians?

Industrial electricians install, maintain, test, troubleshoot, service and repair industrial electrical equipment and associated electrical controls. Their work includes equipment or components directly or indirectly exposed to electrical power such as motors, generators, pumps and lighting systems.

Industrial electricians must read and interpret prints, drawings and codes for layout and installation of electrical equipment. They install, service and maintain electrical components such as lighting fixtures, switches, conduit and electrical controls. Industrial electricians test electrical systems and continuity of circuits using test equipment to ensure system safety and compatibility. They conduct preventative and predictive maintenance programs and keep maintenance records.

What is the Red Seal program?

•       The Red Seal Program, formally known as the Interprovincial Standards Red Seal Program, is a program that sets common standards to assess the skills of tradespeople across Canada;

•       The Red Seal Program was created in 1952;

•       The Canadian Council of Directors of Apprenticeship (CCDA) is responsible for the Red Seal Program;

•       Each province and territory is responsible of apprenticeship training and trade certification in their jurisdiction;

•       All provinces and territories and the federal government participate as members of CCDA.

The benefits of the Red Seal program

The Red Seal program allows the trades persons in the designated number of occupations challenge the exam and receive a Red Seal Endorsement (RSE) on their provincial/territorial trade certificate. This endorsement demonstrates that the tradesperson has all the skills, competence and knowledge to practice their trade anywhere across Canada without need for any further examination.

Red Seal for industrial electricians can help built employers’ trust in their expertise and increase the earning potential. Red Seal certification is recognized as the common national standard for this trade meaning that the person holding it meets all the requirements of the employer and the industry.  

Pathways towards Red Seal certification

The industrial electrician trade is Red Seal designated in British Columbia, Manitoba, New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, Ontario, Prince Edward Island, Quebec, Yukon.

There are two main pathways of how to get the RedSeal for industrial electricians:

1.       Through apprenticeship program: The certification can be obtained through an apprenticeship program, which is open to everyone and usually takes up to four years to complete, depending on the trade. The apprentice will have to find an employer who would be willing to sponsor them.

2.       By challenging the exam: Experienced tradespersons in Canada or recent immigrants with extensive trade experience in their home countries, can challenge the Industrial Electrician Red Seal exam. If they successfully pass the exam, they will be granted the Certificate of Qualification with a Red Seal endorsement in the industrial electrician trade.

The Red Seal Exam

The Red Seal exams are administered by provincial/territorial apprenticeship bodies and are trade-specific. Meaning that for an industrial electrician, the exam covers skills and knowledge required in the industrial electrician trade. The examinations check whether apprentices and tradespersons meet the Canadian standard for this occupation.

The exams typically contain between 100 and 150 questions. The pass mark for the Red Seal exam is 70%. Below is the breakdown of the interprovincial Red Seal Examination - the percentage of the total number of questions on the exam assigned to each of the major tasks of an industrial electrician:

Performs Common Occupational Skills - 11%

Installs and Maintains Generating, Distribution and Service Systems  - 25%  

Installs and Maintains Wiring Systems - 19%

Installs and Maintains Rotating and Non-Rotating Equipment and Control Systems - 18%

Installs and Maintains Signalling and Communication Systems - 9%

Installs and Maintains Process Control Systems - 18%

Red Seal official website offers the detailed examination preparation guide for every trade. It describes the trade’s skill requirements and the major tasks and activities the tradespersons perform. It can be used to self-assess and prepare for writing the Red Seal examination.

When getting ready to challenge the Red Seal exam a tradesperson can also seek professional help from the experienced instructors. Ashton College offers Red Seal Exam Prep Course that is designed to guide the challenger through the process of filling out the exam application, preparing them for the exam and connecting with employers once they successfully pass the exam.