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.