The plumbing trade is
filled with many individuals who are extremely skilled in their job and have
been working in it for a number of years. If this is you, you’ll want to look
into becoming Red Seal certified by completing the Red Seal Plumber Exam
challenge. Red Seal certification is proof that you have the knowledge and
skills to work at your trade at an advanced level that meets the trade
standards across the country. Chances are, you’re already at that advanced
level, you’ve just not yet taken the time to become Red Seal certified.
Alternatively, you may be a plumber who had immigrated to Canada
with the advanced skills but found that any certifications or qualifications
you had in your home country weren’t transferable when you came to Canada. Both
of these situations happen regularly in the plumbing trade, and for those
reasons, there are ways to become Red Seal certified without having to undergo
the apprentice process. When a plumber has the required number of hours working
in the trade and goes straight to taking the Red Seal exam, this is called the
Red Seal Plumber Exam challenge. If you complete the exam and follow the steps
outlined by the Red Seal program,
you will become Red Seal certified.
This certification is an excellent addition to your skills
and qualifications because taking the Red Seal Plumber Exam challenge and
becoming certified ensures you are nationally-recognized for your plumbing
skills by both the trades themselves and consumers.
Red Seal Plumber Exam
Challenge Preparation
When you think it’s time to challenge the Red Seal exam,
take a moment to think about your time and availability. While you may feel
you’re ready to become certified, you need to be honest with yourself about
your ability to study for the plumbing exam. The truth is that working as a
plumber isn’t quite the same as explaining what you do and how you do it.
The Red Seal Plumber Exam challenge requires you to explain the
skills of the trade; there is no physical practice of plumbing on the exam, it
is a multiple-choice question and answer exam. Therefore, if you are new to
living in Canada and are still getting settled and comfortable in your
community, it may not be the right time to write the exam because you may lack
enough time to study. Alternatively, if you are working as a plumber every day
and commute long distances, that may prevent you from putting in the study time
that you require. There are many life situations that would keep you from
having the study time you need, so it’s important to be honest with yourself
about your ability to prepare for the exam right now.
If you have time to study, but are lacking in focus or don’t
know where to begin, you may want to look into a plumbing program designed to help
you with the Red Seal Plumbing Exam challenge preparation. These courses are
often delivered online, so they offer the flexibility of studying with others
and learning from an instructor anywhere you have a computer, microphone,
camera and internet connection. Red seal exam preparation doesn’t need to be
overwhelming either. It requires a regular, ongoing time commitment and
dedication, but the information will be about things you are familiar with and
applicable as you work in your trade.
Visit the Red Seal site’s preparation guide
section for more information on what you need to study or contact a local
school that offers Red Seal a plumbing program for exam preparation to find out
if a prep course is right for you. Registering for the exam is done through
your provincial or territorial certification body. When you contact them to
register for the Red Seal challenge exam, (find your region’s authority here)
ask what specific criteria is required for a plumber in your region to
challenge the exam as they will have the most up-to-date information on what
experience and number of applicable work hours are required.
Skills to Help You
Pass the Red Seal Plumber Exam Challenge
While the exam doesn’t include any “hands-on” plumbing work,
you will need to fully understand the skills and practices required for all
aspects of the trade to successfully pass the Red Seal Plumber Exam. There are
several skills that are both beneficial for the job and will help you pass the
exam:
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Problem-solving
skills. Like in any trade, there are standards to be followed and codes to
be adhered to. A good plumber can review the job, assess what needs to be done,
consider the options, choose the best one and do the work while adhering to
codes and standards. Being able to think fast while being accurate and
efficient is key. These same assessments and practice skills will allow you to
think through the multiple-choice questions on the exam and come up with the
right answer similarly to being on a job site.
-
Knowing the
right tools to do the job. Similar to problem-solving, plumbers know which
tool will do the job the most efficiently. No one wants to see a plumber
bashing away at a pipe with a hammer when they should be using a pipe cutter or
torch. The exam will require you to have a full understanding of your tools and
when they are the right choice.
-
Communication
skills. While the exam is multiple-choice, knowing how to make decisions
fast, troubleshoot and explain situations will help you review questions and
select the right answer.
Many plumbers working today have all the skills they need to
become Red Seal certified. It will require some studying and conscious preparation,
but the results will lead to a nationally-recognized certification of your
abilities.
