Glossary

A

These are requirements for entry into a trade, profession, or higher-level educational institution; it involves a period of formal study in a recognized educational institution, and successful completion or partial completion of its program. In most circumstances, academic qualification can be documented.

A process by which an agency or association grants public recognition to a training program that meets a predetermined set of standards. It can also be a process of granting accredited status to an institution of higher learning and/or vocational training, a program of study, or a service, indicating that it has been granted approval by the relevant legislative and professional authorities by virtue of its having met or exceeded pre-determined standards.

A person who works in a trade, occupation, or craft under an agreement or contract and under the supervision of a qualified individual. The apprentice learns the knowledge, skills, tools and materials of the trade, occupation, or craft through on-the-job training and in-school instruction.

A structured system of supervised training leading to certification in a designated trade, occupation or craft. It is a systematic program of on-the-job training supplemented by in-school instruction in which an apprentice learns the knowledge, skills, tools and materials of the trade, occupation or craft.

A provincial or territorial government appointed Board whose primary function is to advise the Minister responsible for labour market matters on issues related to training and certification of persons in designated trades. Board membership usually consists of equal numbers of persons representing employers and employees, one or more members at large and in most cases a representative of training agencies in the jurisdiction. The name given to the Board may differ between provinces and territories.

A document, signed by the employer, sponsor, or joint apprenticeship training committee and apprentice, outlining the conditions and responsibilities of both parties to the term of apprenticeship. The agreement is usually co-signed by the government department or agency that has responsibility for the Apprenticeship Act and regulations.

A period of practical, supervised, on-the-job training designed to supplement a period of formal study and give the practitioner the required skills and knowledge for entry into a trade or profession.

The process of reviewing and evaluating competencies and qualifications for the purpose of determining whether or not an applicant has fulfilled the requirements to be eligible to practice an occupation. This process could include testing or examinations. The main purpose is to measure candidates against a pre-determined occupational or educational standard.

C

A certificate or document issued to a person who has successfully completed a formalized apprenticeship training program. Sometimes also referred to as Apprenticeship Completion Certificate or Diploma of Apprenticeship.

A certificate issued to an apprentice who has successfully completed an apprenticeship program or has met all the requirements of a trade, and has attained the prescribed pass mark on the examination to qualify as a journeyperson in that trade. The certificate is also issued to a tradesperson who has the required work experience and has attained the prescribed pass mark on the examination to qualify as a journeyperson. Provinces and territories may issue equivalent or similar certificates under different names.

The issuance of a formal document recognizing that a person has attained a standard of proficiency in a set of skills, knowledge and abilities in a profession or trade.

A non-university post-secondary educational institution offering programs related to liberal arts, technical and trades training (including pre-apprentice and in-school technical training for apprentices).

A set of knowledge, skills and abilities obtained through formal or non-formal education, work experience, or other means required to perform an occupation.

A system of training based on specific performance criteria where progress in learning is measured in terms of demonstrated skills, knowledge and attitudes, and where an individual is allowed to progress at a rate determined by his or her own capabilities.

The fulfilment by registered apprentices of the training requirements, both in-school and on-the-job, of an apprenticeship program applicable to the trade and the province and territory. Persons completing apprenticeship training will be issued a Certificate of Apprenticeship. In most cases they will also receive a Certificate of Qualification.

A requirement in which persons entering or working in a designated trade who do not possess a Certificate of Qualification or Completion of Apprenticeship Certificate must register as apprentices with the provincial or territorial authorities. Those working in the trade prior to the compulsory requirement may be exempted by provincial or territorial legislation.

A requirement in which persons entering or working in a designated trade must possess a Certificate of Qualification or be registered as apprentices, in order to practice in the trade.

A structured outline of learning organized into course(s) or work experiences that develops the knowledge and skills of learners. It is a comprehensive term that includes such elements as task analyses, competency profiles/charts, course outlines, learning/teaching objectives and lesson plans.

D

A listing of skills or competencies in a specific trade or occupation organized and presented in a chart format. The list is prepared using the DACUM (developing a curriculum) method for analyzing a trade or occupation. DACUM involves bringing together practitioners from the trade under the leadership of a trained facilitator.

A trade that has been formally recognized through provincial or territorial legislation for apprenticeship training and certification. The requirements for in-school and on-the-job training as well as level and certification examinations are outlined in the trade regulations.

A trade that has been designated by the Canadian Council of Directors of Apprenticeship (CCDA) for inclusion in the Interprovincial Standards Program. The training and certification are based on a national occupational standard, and provinces and territories are permitted to affix a Red Seal to the certificates of candidates who meet the standard.

E

An instrument used to determine whether completing apprentices and experienced tradespersons meet the national standard in a Red Seal trade. Examinations are based on the National Occupational Analysis for that trade.

F

A forum comprised of the provincial, territorial ministers and the federal minister with responsibility for reviewing work and setting priorities for federal-provincial/territorial and interprovincial cooperation on labour market matters. The forum is supported through a set of committees at various levels, including: ministers, deputy ministers, senior officials and working groups.

G

A recognition of a person's work experience in a trade prior to the trade being designated for training and certification or a designated trade being declared for compulsory certification. The recognition may be in the form of granting the Certificate of Qualification without examination, a permit to work at a trade for a specified or indefinite period or other forms that permit the person to remain working in the trade in the same capacity as before its designation or certification.

I

A program designed to bring together provincial, territorial and federal governments to achieve increased workforce mobility by establishing common standards for certification in individual trades and occupations. The basis elements of the program are the National Occupational Analyses and the Interprovincial Examinations. The program is complementary to provincial and territorial certification programs, and administered by the Canadian Council of Directors of Apprenticeship (CCDA). It is also referred to as the Red Seal Program.

L

The Provincial and Territorial Acts and Regulations governing the administration of apprenticeship and related programs, including the training and certification of apprentices and tradespersons.

Document entitling its holder to have the exclusive right to practice a trade or profession, and signifying that the licence-holder meets competency and other requirements for practice.

A formal recognition that a person has attained a standard of proficiency in a set of knowledge, skills and abilities required to practice a trade or occupation.

Procedures for determining eligibility, granting licences, and protecting the public with respect to the practice of the trade or profession requiring a licence. Licensure denotes to the public that the person who has been granted the licence has the competence needed to provide for the public's protection.

M

Acceptance by appropriate authorities in two jurisdictions that the qualifications of their workers in a given occupation conform to another's occupational standard without requiring the worker to undergo any additional assessment or training.

O

Skill set which, with certain variants, includes the same main duties or tasks or represents the same type of work. The skill set for a given occupation is taken into account in classifying jobs or establishing standards. The definition of an occupation may vary according to province or territory in Canada and according to the country.

A document that details the tasks and sub-tasks performed by workers in a trade or occupation. The National Occupational Analyses for Red Seal trades are developed by industry practitioners under the guidance of the federal government with the assistance of the provinces and territories. Once completed, an occupational analysis is used as the base document in the development of an interprovincial (Red Seal) examination.

The skills, knowledge and abilities required for an occupation as established by a recognized body and against which the qualifications of an individual in that occupation are assessed.

The component or portion of an apprenticeship training program where apprentices spend time working on the job site learning the skills of the trade under the supervision of a journeyperson.

P

The courses providing intensive instruction for entrance into employment in a specific occupation. Depending on the jurisdiction, these courses may not necessarily be linked to apprenticeship training. In some jurisdictions, however, this term refers to all training leading to employment, including pre-apprenticeship training courses. See also Pre-Apprenticeship Training.

A level of competence or education required by a person for entrance to an apprenticeship program and to succeed in the subsequent levels of the program.

The process of recognizing and giving credit for skills, knowledge or competencies that have been acquired experientially, through work experience, previous education and training, self studies, volunteer activities and hobbies.

R

A nationally registered trademark symbol adopted for the Interprovincial Standards Program to signify interprovincial qualification of tradespersons at the journeyperson level. It is affixed to the provincial and territorial Certificates of Apprenticeship and Qualification of those apprentices and tradespersons who have met the national standard in a Red Seal trade. The Red Seal is a passport that allows the holder to work anywhere in Canada without having to write further examinations.

The formal rules by which the principles outlined in provincial and territorial Acts governing apprenticeship training are to be carried out. Each designated trade may have a set of regulations covering all aspects of training and certification.

A reserved title is established through legislation that restricts the use of an occupational title to those who have met the prerequisites established by the appropriate authority. Unlike a licensure, it does not grant an exclusive right to practice the occupation. Those who have not met the prerequisites for the occupation may still practice the occupation, but may not use the reserved title to describe themselves.

S

The scope of practice for an occupation refers to the range of activities that a qualified practitioner of an occupation may practice. It establishes the boundaries of an occupation, especially in relation to other occupations where similar activities may be performed. The scope of practice for an occupation may be established through governing legislation or through internal regulations adopted by a regulatory body.

The range or extent of skills required or tasks performed in a particular trade or occupation.

The ability to perform tasks with a specific degree of proficiency; or a specific defined behaviour or piece of work assigned to, or expected of, someone in a specified trade or occupation. Also frequently referred to as a task.

A situation in which a person's training or work in a trade is concentrated or focused on a segment of the trade which requires a certain level of competency and, in some instances, certification.

A written description of characteristics which are deemed to be required by users of the standard. A standard serves as a benchmark or point of comparison and it allows the determination of the variability and quality of a product, process or service.

Benchmarks for a trade or occupation against which abilities of tradespersons are measured and compared. They represent a collection of related knowledge and skills factors which define a distinct trade or occupation.

A set of standards that is established to ensure completing apprentices and experienced tradespersons are measured to the standards (competencies and skills) established for a trade and meet provincial or interprovincial criteria. They include: a) occupational standards; b) acceptable development criteria and administrative procedures; and, c) other factors that contribute to a quality examination.

A set of standards that are established for Canada through a system of national occupational analyses developed by industry in association with the provincial, territorial and federal governments. They permit standardization of training and certification programs, and the mobility of tradespersons.

T

A work activity that is discrete, observable, performed within a limited period of time, and which leads to a product, service or decision. See also Skill.

An occupation for which a provincial or territorial apprenticeship program is available. Trade skills can best be learned through an apprenticeship (see Apprenticeship).

A provincial or territorial group appointed to advise and make recommendations regarding apprenticeship training and certification in a designated trade. It is comprised of persons knowledgeable about the trade. Normally, an equal number of employee and employer representatives are appointed to a committee. Some jurisdictions have a single provincial or territorial committee for each trade, others have local or regional trade advisory committees in addition to the provincial committee. These committees are the primary vehicles for ensuring industry has a voice in the development and delivery of apprenticeship programs.

The systematic development of the attitude, knowledge, skill and behaviour pattern required by an individual to perform adequately at a given task or job.

V

A situation in which certification is available in a designated trade, but there is no legislated requirement that apprentices in a trade be registered, or that workers engaged in the trade be certified journeypersons.

W

An individual, whether employed, self-employed or unemployed, who performs or seeks to perform work for pay or profit.