
Labour and Workforce Development > Apprenticeship Training

Designated Trades in Nova Scotia

	Red Seal Trades (Individuals who have the Red Seal endorsement on their certificate are permitted to work in all jurisdictions across Canada without further training or examination.)
	Compulsory Certified Trades (Certification or apprentice status is required under the authority of the Apprenticeship and Trades Qualifications Act to work in these trades.)
	Compulsory Trades (License, certification or apprentice status is required under another regulatory authority to work in these trades.)
	Currently, apprenticeship training is not offered in these trades in Nova Scotia.
Notes: • One year of apprenticeship equals approximately 2,000 hours. • Click on the trade name or video camera for more trade-specific information (videos require QuickTime to view). • Trade-specific regulations detail training and certification requirements.

Trade	Yrs	Description
Agricultural Equipment Technician	4	Repairs and services machines typically used in farming industry.
Alarm and Security Technician	3	Installs/repairs intrusion alarm, closed circuit video and access control systems.
Appliance Service Technician	3	Repairs and services household appliances.
Automotive Glass Technician	2	Performs work in fabricating, removing, installing, repairing and generally servicing glass and associated equipment in motor vehicles.
Automotive Painter	2	Prepares and paints motor vehicles.
Automotive Service Technician	4	Services and repairs the brakes, suspension, engine, and fuel systems of cars and light trucks.
Automotive Service Technician (Service Station Mechanic)	3	Performs tune-ups, safety inspections, services and repairs the brakes, clutch and tires of cars and light trucks.
Baker	3	Makes breads, pastries, cookies, and cakes.
Blaster Regulated by the Occupational Health and* Safety division		Engages in all blasting activity including: storage, handling, transportation, preparation, and use of explosives, and drilling conducted at a blasting area or in relation to the use of explosives.
Boat Builder	3-5	Builds sea-going boats for fishing or charter; fast patrol boats; and custom or semi-custom pleasure boats, power and sail, in all major hull materials.
Boilermaker	3	Builds, tests, and repairs air-tight and liquid-tight containers such as boilers and storage tanks.
Boom Truck Operator		Operates a crane that is mounted on either: a commercial truck chassis with a carrying deck designed to carry a payload; or a semi tractor trailer truck whose power also powers the crane.
Bricklayer	3-4	Builds and repairs walls, floors, fireplaces, walkways with bricks, blocks, and stones.
Cabinetmaker	4	Builds custom or production-type wooden (or wood substitute) fixtures and furniture.
Carpenter	4	Works with wood or wood substitutes in the construction of buildings.
Communications Technician		Installs, repairs, upgrades and maintains communication cables.
Concrete Finisher	3	Places, finishes, cuts, and repairs concrete.
Construction Craft Worker		Sets up / dismantles forms, site preparation and clean-up, excavation, backfill/compaction, traffic control duties, concrete placement and finishing, mason tending, and operates grading equipment.
Construction Electrician	4	Installs, alters, repairs, and maintains electrical systems in buildings and residences.
Cook	3	Prepares food and meals in hotels, restaurants, and institutions.
Electric Motor System Technician	4	Repairs and rebuilds electric motors, generators, transformers, controls, and equipment.
Electronics Technician - Consumer Products	4	Services and repairs radios, televisions, and VCRs.
Floorcovering Installer	2.5	Installs many types of resilient or carpet floor coverings.
Gas Fitter Regulated by the Building,* Fire and Technical Safety division	2	Installs piping, appliances, equipment, and controls for the use of natural gas or propane as a fuel.
Glazier	4	Prepares, installs, and replaces glass.
Hairstylist Regulated by The Cosmetology Association* of Nova Scotia	2	Cuts, trims, waves and colours hair; massages face and scalp; trims beards and mustaches.
Heavy Duty Equipment Technician	4	Repairs and maintains heavy-duty equipment such as bulldozers, cranes, and graders.
Industrial Electrician	4	Installs, repairs, and maintains electrical wiring and electrical equipment for industrial uses.
Instrumentation and Control Technician	4	Repairs, maintains, and installs industrial measuring and controlling equipment.
Industrial Mechanic (Millwright)	4	Installs and maintains machinery and equipment in factories and production plants.
Insulator (Heat and Frost)	4	Installs insulating materials in commercial and industrial structures; removes asbestos.
Ironworker (Generalist)	3	Builds, erects, constructs, and joins structural steel used in buildings, bridges, and towers.
Ironworker (Structural/Ornamental)		Installs and reinforces steel components, precast concrete & glued laminated timber products. Also erects pre-engineered buildings, scaffolds, cranes, hoists and derricks.
Ironworker (Reinforcing)		Cuts, bends, lays out, places and welds reinforcing steel rods, welded wire fabric and composite materials in poured concrete products and structures. Place and stress post-tensioning systems.
Landscape Horticulturalist	3	Prepares, lays out and completes a landscape installation plan.
Lather (Interior Systems Mechanic)	3	Installs ceiling, drywall partitions, sound proofing and vapour barriers in buildings.
Locksmith		Repairs, installs and adjusts locks, and maintains safes and vaults.
Machinist	4	Manufactures and repairs industrial components and mechanical devices by using a variety of metal cutting and shaping machinery.
Marine Fitter	4	Outfits and refits ships and other marine structures including the survey, maintenance, repair, overhaul, alteration, fabrication, installation, alignment test and trial of marine engineering systems, equipment and components.
Metal Fabricator (Fitter)	4	Makes and repairs metal parts used in the construction of bridges, buildings, and boilers.
Mine Electrician	2.5	Installs, repairs, and maintains electrical equipment and systems used in mining.
Mine Mechanic	2.5	Repairs, maintains and assembles equipment and machinery used in mining.
Mobile Crane Operator Regulated by the Building, Fire and Technical* Safety division	3	Uses mobile cranes to lift, move, and place heavy objects; repairs, maintains, and moves cranes.
Motorcycle Mechanic	4	Assembles, services, and repairs motorcycles, motorscooters, and accessories
Motor Vehicle Body Repairer (Metal and Paint)	4	Repairs, restores and replaces damaged body parts such as glass, trim, steering, and suspension.
Oil Burner Mechanic	3	Installs, repairs, and services oil burning and oil combination burning equipment and appliances.
Painter and Decorator	3	Applies paint, varnish, stain, wallpaper, and wallcoverings to interior and exterior surfaces.
Partsperson	3	Stores and dispenses automotive, heavy duty, or farm machinery parts.
Plumber	4	Installs and repairs piping and other equipment used to move, store, or dispose of water, gas, and sewage.
Power Engineer Regulated by the Building, Fire and Technical* Safety division	2-4	Maintains equipment, boilers and generators that provide heat, ventilation and power for buildings.
Powerline Technician	4	Builds and maintains overhead and underground electrical systems, powerlines, poles, and street lights.
Recreation Vehicle Service Technician	3	Installs and repairs exterior and interior components, installs accessories, and performs pre-delivery inspections on motor homes, holiday trailers, fifth wheels, truck campers, and tent trailers.
Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Mechanic	4	Installs and services refrigerating and air conditioning systems.
Restoration Stone Mason	4	Constructs and repairs structures using stone.
Rig Technician		Operates the drawworks, rotary equipment and pumps, inspects rigs, maintains records of drilling operations, and oversees rig mobilization and demobilization.
Roofer	3	Installs and repairs single- or multi-ply roofing systems, shingles, and pre-formed rigid sheeting.
Sheet Metal Worker	4	Designs, makes, installs and repairs sheet metal products and parts.
Sprinkler System Installer	4	Installs and maintains permanent fire extinguishing systems.
Steamfitter/Pipefitter	4	Installs piping, equipment, and controls for hot water, steam, process, and chemical piping.
Tilesetter	4	Covers, repairs and decorates surfaces using ceramic, marble and other materials.
Tool and Die Maker	4	Makes, repairs, modifies custom-made prototype or special tools, dies, and fixtures.
Tower Crane Operator Regulated by the Building, Fire and Technical* Safety division		Operates any mechanical device or structure that incorporates a power-driven drum with a cable or rope and a vertical mast or tower and stationary or luffing boom.
Transport Trailer Technician	4	Repairs and services the braking, electrical, hydraulic system and heating/cooling units of trucks-trailers.
Truck and Transport Mechanic	4	Repairs and services the various systems and engine components of buses and transport vehicles.
Welder *High Pressure Welding only is regulated by the Building, Fire and Technical Safety division	3	Joins, cuts, or shapes metal using electric arc, oxyacetylene flame, or other processes.