Victoria, British Columbia — The province of British Columbia is proud to announce more details in its plan to re-launch the provincial certification process for skilled tradespeople, under the name SkilledTradesBC.
The province says the new organization, renamed from the Industry Training Authority, will work to “raise the profile of skilled trades, modernize trades training and implement skilled trades certification.”
A stakeholder advisory working group narrowed down the ten initial trades that will be focused on certification, with rollout to be carried out in two phases.
Phase one will concern mechanical trades and electrical trades, with a deadline set for Dec. 1, 2023, while phase two will address automotive trades and have a further out deadline of some time in 2024.
Uncertified trade workers will be required to register as an apprentice or pass a certification exam before their respective deadlines.
The ten trades selected are comprised of four mechanical trades, three electrical trades and three automotive trades:
- Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Mechanic – PHASE 1
- Gasfitter A and B – PHASE 1
- Steamfitter/Pipefitter – PHASE 1
- Sheet Metal Worker – PHASE 1
- Electrician (Construction) – PHASE 1
- Industrial Electrician – PHASE 1
- Powerline Technician – PHASE 1
- Heavy Duty Equipment Technician – PHASE 2
- Automotive Service Technician – PHASE 2
- Autobody and Collision Technician PHASE 2
“We are excited by our expanded mandate to implement skilled trades certification, and our new name will make it easier for people to understand who we are and what we do,” said SkilledTradesBC CEO, Shelley Gray.
“SkilledTradesBC will focus on educating tradespeople and employers about skilled trades certification. We will provide online assessment tools and low-cost exam preparation to help workers get certified.”
The province currently projects that more than 85,000 jobs will open in the next ten years, and many of them will be in skilled trades sectors.
B.C. eliminated certification requirements for skilled trades workers in 2003.
