The Apprenticeship and Trades Certification Division is actively participating in harmonizing trade initiatives at the Atlantic and national levels. With each province and territory in Canada responsible for its own apprenticeship training system, harmonization aims to standardize key elements across all systems.

Harmonization Priorities	Atlantic	National
Use of Red Seal trade name	•	•
Consistent number of training levels	•	•
Consistent total training hours	•	•
More consistent technical training	•	•
Common level exams	•
Common apprentice logbook	•
Common policies and processes	•
Shared, modern IT system	•

Atlantic Apprenticeship Harmonization Partnership (AAHP):

Launched in 2014, the Atlantic Apprenticeship Harmonization Project has aligned rules, processes, and standards for apprenticeship across the four Atlantic provinces. To date, 23 trades have been fully harmonized. Since 2023, the AAHP has served as a maintenance office to support the continued review and update of the harmonized trades and has been renamed the Atlantic Apprenticeship Harmonization Partnership.

For additional information, visit Atlantic Apprenticeship Harmonization Partnership (AAHP).

Canadian Council of Directors of Apprenticeship Harmonization Initiative:

All Red Seal trades (with the exception of Gasfitter A, Gasfitter B, Appliance Service Technician, and the three Heavy Equipment Operator trades) have been harmonized nationally. Information on the model for harmonization (levels, hours and sequencing) for each trade can be found in the trade’s most recent Red Seal Occupational Standard (RSOS). When a trade’s RSOS is updated, the elements of harmonization are up for discussion and improvement.