Any representative group or association can formally request that an occupation become designated as a skilled trade. Skilled trades are further categorized as voluntary or compulsory. Initially, all trades are designated as voluntary.

Voluntary Trade: workers do not have to be registered apprentices or certified journeypersons in order to work in the trade.

Compulsory Trade:  workers must have a Certificate of Qualification or be a registered apprentice. These trades typically involve work where public or employee safety could be at risk.

Making the Request

To request that an occupation become designated as a skilled trade, the first step is the submission of the Atlantic Application for the Designation of Voluntary and Compulsory Trades.

Reviewing the Application

Upon review, consideration will be given to:

• the employment opportunities and challenges for the occupation/trade in the next 5 years;
• the need for apprenticeship training (formal training and work experience) in the trade;
• the range of skills and extent of technical knowledge required to work in the trade and industry’s desire to train for or recognize these skills and knowledge;
• whether the trade would provide a valuable career;
• the degree to which the skills and technical knowledge required overlaps with those required for existing trades, including the potential for duplication of existing training or certification in any other occupation;
• the extent of industry/stakeholder support for the designation;
• whether the designation of the trade would require further authorization or approval by other government departments or agencies;
• the impact the designation would have relating to consumers, environmental protection, and public health and safety, in Newfoundland and Labrador and other provinces/territories; and
• whether the estimated annual number of new apprentices entering the trade could sustain a viable training program.

The Provincial Apprenticeship and Certification Board will review the application, and make a final decision. The applicant may be asked to appear before the PACB to present and discuss the application.  Other stakeholders may also provide information.  The applicant will be informed of the decision in writing.

Once an occupation is designated as a trade, the Apprenticeship and Trades Certification Division will begin work to establish a Provincial Trade Advisory Committee, as well as to develop curriculum and examinations for training purposes, along with a logbook and other required documents for the trade.

For more information call 709-729-2729 or email app@gov.nl.ca