Apprenticeship, Trade and Occupations Certification

Nunavut’s economy is growing and the demand for workers in the trades is on the rise. The Government of Nunavut wants Nunavummiut to benefit from this growth and the occupations associated with it. The best way to do this is to become a certified tradesperson.

 

The Department of Family Services’ Apprenticeship Unit supports skilled workers and apprentices on their way to becoming journeypersons either with or without their Interprovincial Standards Red Seal certification. The Apprenticeship Unit also certifies eligible trade occupations. The Unit is governed by the Apprenticeship, Trade and Occupations Certification Act and makes decisions based upon recommendations of the Nunavut Apprenticeship, Trade and Occupations Certification Board.

 

If you want challenging, exciting and well-paid employment in Nunavut’s growing economy, then the skilled trades might be for you. To find out how to become a registered apprentice or receive your Nunavut trades certification, contact the Nunavut Apprenticeship Certification Unit or your regional Career Development Office:

 

Nunavut Apprenticeship Certification Unit

Zsolt Munkacsy

Supervisor of Apprenticeship, Trade and Occupations Certification

867-975-5280 / nuapprenticeship@gov.nu.ca

 

Regional Career Development offices

Qikiqtani - 800-567-1514

Kivalliq - 800-953-8516

Kitikmeot - 800-661-0845

 

Quick Links

What is Apprenticeship?

Who is involved in Apprenticeship?

How can I become an apprentice?

How can I receive Nunavut certification as an experienced worker?

Can I apprentice in another province or territory?

 

 

What is Apprenticeship?

Apprenticeship is a structured system of supervised training that combines on-the-job learning (under the leadership of a certified journeyperson) and incremental in-school technical instruction (anywhere from 8 to 12 weeks in duration). The completion of an apprenticeship varies from two to four years, depending on the apprentice’s experience and the training requirements of the particular trade. Apprentices earn wages while learning their trade. The apprenticeship program provides apprentices with the knowledge, skills, competencies and education of his/her chosen trade or occupation. When complete, the apprenticeship program leads to recognized certification.

 

 

Who is involved in Apprenticeship?

 

Apprenticeship training involves the apprentice, the employer and the supervising journeyperson. The Nunavut Apprenticeship Unit and regional Career Development Officers assist employers and apprentices to register and maintain the cases. Each person has roles and responsibilities to fulfill (below). For more information, please also consult our Apprenticeship Frequently Asked Questions sheet.

 

 

Apprentice requirements:

• Know what is involved in his/her trade, learn and apply skills and meet the employer’s productivity needs as much as possible.
• Take ownership of the on-the-job and technical training.
• Be ready and willing to learn.
• Be aware of technical training deadlines and paperwork requirements and be sure to ask questions.

 

Employer requirements:

• Support and promote a safe working and learning environment.
• Ensure that a supervising journeyperson is available and willing to supervise the apprentice(s).
• Maintain the journeyperson to apprentice ratio requirements for the trade.
• Pay the apprentice according to Apprenticeship, Trade and Occupations Regulations
• Allow the apprentice to participate in the required technical training and take examinations
• Submit the apprentice's Record of Employment (ROE) to enable them to apply for EI benefits when they begin technical training (Employers can now complete and submit apprentices' ROEs online. For details, please visit Service Canada's ROE website.).
• Evaluate the performance of the apprentice with the supervising journeyperson on a regular basis
   

 
Supervising Journeyperson requirements:

• Mentor the apprentice by promoting and encourage the highest trade standards.
• Teach the apprentice the skills of the trade to the best of your ability.
• Provide appropriate supervision and honest feedback.
   

 

How can I become an Apprentice in Nunavut?

 

In order to become an apprentice in Nunavut, you must register in the Nunavut Apprenticeship Program. For this to happen, you must be at least 18 years of age and you must have an employer who is willing to work with you as an apprentice (you may also speak with a CDO about matching with an employer). This employer must also have a certified journeyperson who is in trained in the applicant’s desired trade and who is at the same location where the applicant will be working. You must also write and pass a Trades Entrance Exam. Contact a Career Development Officer in your community/region to learn more about the requirements and get help with the application process.

 

 

How can I receive Nunavut certification as an experienced trade worker?

 

Tradespeople with a valid Red Seal endorsed trade certificate can work anywhere in Canada. Certified journeypersons may obtain a Red Seal on their trade certificates by completing the interprovincial (Red Seal) examination. Not all persons interested in the trade qualification take an apprenticeship route. If you are an experienced skilled trade worker (i.e. you have significant experience working hands-on in your trade) and you want to be certified while you work in Nunavut, you can apply for the Trade Qualification program. Please contact your regional Career Development Officer for details.

 

Can I apprentice in another province or territory?

Learn more about the Provincial-Territorial Apprentice Mobility Protocol.

 

Back to Top