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Red Seal Challenge Preparation
Challenging your Red Seal Certification is hard but funding it shouldnt be. Get your Skilled Trades Certification at TRU for less until March 31, 2025
On December 1, 2022, Industry Training Authority (ITA) became SkilledTradesBC. While their role in advancing B.C.'s skilled trades system hasn’t changed, it has expanded. This includes a larger focus on raising the profile of skilled trades, modernizing their approach to trades training, and implementing Skilled Trades Certification.
Under Skilled Trades Certification, it is mandatory for all trade workers to be a registered apprentice or fully certified to work in specific trades, starting with seven electrical and mechanical trades in December 2023. Three automotive trades will be introduced as Skilled Trades Certification trades in 2024 and will have one year to transition once announced.
SkilledTradesBC has also enhanced supports to Apprentices and Trade Qualifiers, or experienced workers, in the Skilled Trades Certification trades. To help Apprentices and Trade Qualifiers pass their IP Red Seal exams, SkilledTradesBC is subsidizing tuition for participants who take exam refresher courses at $170 per 30-hours (1 week) of course time.The following courses qualify for this subsidy:
Construction Electrician $909 (regularly $1249)
Industrial Electrician $909 (regularly $1249)
Steamfitter/Pipefitter $1135 (regularly $1475)
Before registering for any Red Seal Exam Preparation courses, please contact SkilledTradesBC at 1-866-660-6011 to confirm your eligibility.
Challenge courses are designed to assist people who have years of experience in a trade and want to challenge the Red Seal Exam in order to become certified in their chosen trade. These courses are available through continuous enrolment, and upon registration, students will have up to 30 weeks to work through the course material in preparation for an IP exam. A subject matter expert is provided to registrants for any additional questions or support required. TRU offers the following online or classroom based delivery challenge exam preparation courses:
Tax Credit Eligibility for Challengers
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Carpentry Red Seal Exam Preparation Course
(XCRP 0710) Live Stream (Online Synchronous Delivery)
This 60-hour course is designed to assist carpentry professionals wishing to challenge the “Red Seal” exam. To attempt the exam, written proof of 9000 hours of direct experience in the trade is required. This course will be offered through online delivery with fully instructor-led sessions. Students will be expected to attend class online for 10 hours each week.
Dates: TBD
Days: Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays
Times: 6:00 pm to 9:00 pm
Course Fee: $1349
Industrial Electrician Red Seal Exam Preparation Course
(XELC 0790) Online Delivery – Continuous Intake
This course is designed to assist industrial electricians wishing to challenge the “Red Seal” exam. If you haven't served a formal apprenticeship and taken Levels 1, 2, 3 & 4 technical training in Canada to attempt (challenge) the "Red Seal" exam, written proof of 9000 hours of direct experience in the trade is required.
Course Fee: $1249
Construction Electrician Red Seal Exam Preparation Course
(XELC 0850) Online Delivery – Continuous Intake
This course is designed to assist construction electricians wishing to challenge the “Red Seal” exam. If you haven't served a formal apprenticeship and taken Levels 1, 2, 3 & 4 technical training in Canada to attempt (challenge) the "Red Seal" exam, written proof of 9000 hours of direct experience in the trade is required.
Course Fee: $1249
Truck and Transport Red Seal Exam Preparation Courses
(XMEC 0490) Online Delivery – Continuous Intake (test and texts extra)
This distance course is designed to assist truck and transport mechanics wanting to challenge the Red Seal exam. To attempt the exam, written proof of hours of direct work experience in the trade is required.
Course Fee: $1249
Steamfitter Pipefitter Red Seal Exam Preparation Course
(XPLM 0480) Online Delivery
This self-paced online delivery course is designed to assist Steamfitters/Pipefitters wanting to challenge the Red Seal exam. Challengers are provided online access to worksheets and practice questions categorized according to the National Occupational Analysis and are prepared based on ITA exam blocks and subtasks. Participants will be sent a package of specialized learning modules required for studies. Students will have 30 weeks to complete their preparation and will be assigned a subject matter expert to support them through their studies.
Course Fee: $1475
Welder Red Seal Exam Preparation Course
(XWLD 0400) Online Delivery – Continuous Intake (texts extra)
This distance course is designed to assist welders wanting to re-write or challenge the Red Seal exam. To attempt the exam, written proof of hours of direct work experience in the trade is required.
Resources Required: Acorn Red Seal Book Set
Course Fee: $1249
