Compulsory trades involve work where public or employee safety could be at risk. There are currently five compulsory trades: Boom Truck Operator, Construction Electrician, Residential Electrician, Mobile Crane Operator, and Tower Crane Operator.

To work in compulsory trades, individuals must have a Certificate of Qualification or be a registered apprentice with the Apprenticeship and Trades Certification Division (ATCD).

How to Request Compulsory Certification:

To request that a trade be designated as compulsory, the applicant will need to submit an application form to ATCD. Here’s what happens next:

Receipt and Review: The application will be reviewed and might be returned to the applicant for more information. The Director of Apprenticeship will inform the Provincial Apprenticeship and Certification Board (PACB) at their next meeting about the application.

Formal Review: If accepted, the application goes through a formal review. ATCD will verify information and if required, will consult with other regulatory bodies and industry stakeholders.

Application Considerations: When reviewing an application, ATCD will consider:

• Job opportunities and challenges for the trade over the next 5 years.
• Need for apprenticeship training (formal training and work experience).
• Skills and knowledge required for the trade, and industry’s interest in training for or recognizing these skills and knowledge.
• Career value of the trade.
• Amount of overlap with existing trades, including potential duplication.
• Amount of industry/stakeholder support for compulsory designation.
• Need for authorization/approval by other government departments or agencies.
• Impact of compulsory designation on consumers, environmental protection, and public health and safety.
• Viability of the training based on estimated apprentice enrolment.
• Safety risks to workers, the public and the environment from improper activity in the trade, or product produced by the trade.
• Need for proven competency due to the possible presence of: dangerous substances or equipment; dangerous techniques or practices; occupational codes, regulations and standards; scientific laws and principles; ethical and professional standards and obligations; engineering or architectural drawings; system functionality; manipulation of tools; and safety and work procedures.
• Ability to deliver training and certification.
• Impacts (including financial) for workers, training providers, government, consumers and the general public.
• Labour market impacts.
• Other impacts including, but not limited to, geographical discrepancies, grand-parenting, intra-governmental legislation and enforcement.

Final Steps: ATCD will compile a formal written report for the PACB. The applicant may be asked to present and discuss the application, and other stakeholders may be asked to appear or may request an opportunity to present their views. The PACB will review the application, make a final decision, and inform the applicant of the decision in writing. If the PACB supports making the trade compulsory, a recommendation will be made to the Minister. If that recommendation is accepted, a formal request will be made to Cabinet.