Proposed Amendments to Apprenticeship and Trades Qualifications Act

The Department of Education relies on input from the general public and various stakeholder groups to advise the province's Apprenticeship Training system in a manner that serves the interests of all Nova Scotians.

Four amendments to the Apprenticeship and Trades Qualifications Act are being proposed as a result of issues and concerns raised by industry stakeholders during the ongoing Trade Regulation Review process.

The current act can be found at: www.gov.ns.ca/legi/legc/statutes/apprentc.htm

Proposed Amendment #1	(Current act reference: 2[v]).
For greater certainty, authorize the Governor in Council to have regulatory authority for sub-trades.
The amendment will clarify that the Governor in Council has regulatory authority where sub-trades exist. For example, three sub-trades exist within the Automotive Service Technician trade (Service Station Mechanic, Front End and Brake, and Transmission). The amendment clarifies that the Act has authority for these sub-trades.

Proposed Amendment #2	(Current act reference: 22[4]).
Expand the authority of the Director to exempt categories of persons from compulsory certification requirements.
The current act provides the Director with the authority to exempt an individual and/or an employer from certain subsections regarding compulsory certification requirements. This amendment expands that authority to include categories of persons. This amendment would enable more efficient administration of those trades where industry has determined that there are non-compulsory tasks within a compulsory trade.

Proposed Amendment #3	(Current act reference: 17[1]).
3a) Expand the authority of the Director to issue Certificates of Competency.
The current act provides for the issuance of Certificates of Qualification only. This amendment would enable the Director to issue certificates at the appropriate level of training. Certificates of Qualification were originally intended for those who have met standards for a full trade. Currently, however, they are also issued to those who have met standards in sub-trades. This amendment would restrict the issuance of Certificates of Qualification to only those who have met the highest requirement of certification in a full trade.
3b) Expand the authority of the Director to issue Certificates of Proficiency.
This amendment makes available another type of certificate. It would be issued to those who, for specific and predetermined reasons, are not appropriate candidates for Certificates of Qualification or Certificates of Competency, but who have met a practical standard acceptable to industry. The practical standards would be developed particular to each trade. Two examples are illustrated below.
Example 1: Trades Transitioning to Compulsory
After a trade becomes newly specified as compulsory certified, there is an implementation date at which point those who work in the trade are required by law to hold a trade certification. When a trade is specified compulsory, there are uncertified tradespeople who may retire before they are able to meet the requirements of a Certificate of Qualification or a Certificate of Competency but not before the deadline to be certified has passed. A Certificate of Proficiency would be an option for these individuals. A Certificate of Proficiency would only be made available as a transition measure, issued to those who had met the standard, and would not be made available to entrants to the recently designated compulsory trade.
Example 2: Literacy/Language Issues
Certificates of Proficiency may also be appropriate for those who have met proficiency standards as determined by their industry, but due to literacy or language issues, are unable to verify competence through a written examination.

Proposed Amendment #4

Expand the authority of the Director to issue post-journeyperson certificate endorsements.

Current Certificates of Qualification in trades that participate in the interprovincial standards program bear a red seal endorsement. The red seal is recognized across Canada and enables labour mobility within the trades. This amendment would provide for other types of endorsements to be affixed to the certificates that are issued by the Apprenticeship Training and Skill Development division. It addresses the Department of Education's commitment to lifelong learning by providing access to post-journeyperson training and certification programs and creating a career path for youth in an effort to attract more youth into the skilled trades.

An example of this is the Blue Seal endorsement, currently issued by Alberta, to those who have met a standard in business and management training. This type of endorsement recognizes lifelong learning and professionalization in skilled trades.

Please use the document below to forward your comments on or before August 19, 2005. The deadline for submissions has been extended until further notice.

 Response to Proposed Amendments to Apprenticeship and Trades Qualifications Act

Comments may be submitted by fax to (902) 424-0717 or by mail to:

Provincial Apprenticeship Board
Apprenticeship and Trades Qualifications Act Amendments
2021 Brunswick St.
PO Box 578
Halifax, NS
B3J 2S9

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