Trades

 In the fall of 2016, changes were made to the Apprenticeship and Trades Qualifications Act General Regulations and trade regulations to align our programs and training across the country. These changes will help apprentices complete their training more easily, so they can take full advantage of the opportunities here in the province. Creating consistency across the country will also help employers recruit the people they need. The amendments took effect on April 1, 2017, and will impact your apprenticeship program. Please review the changes by scrolling to the applicable trade below and clicking "Trade Reg Changes". (If there is no "Trade Reg Changes" button, no changes were made to the trade's regulations.)

 Click on the trades below to find TRADE DESCRIPTIONS, CURRICULUM STANDARDS, TRADE REGULATIONS, TRADE REGULATION CHANGES, TRADE HARMONIZATION INFO, TRADE PROFILES, TEST DRIVE VIDEOS and/or MORE INFO.

  • Automotive Glass Technician
  • No
  • N/A
  • 7,200
  •  
  •  
  • Automotive Glass Technician
  • No
  • N/A
  • 7,200
  •  
  •  
Performs work in fabricating, removing, installing, repairing and generally servicing glass and associated equipment in motor vehicles.



Trade Reg Changes
Trade Regulations
     Trade Profile     
  • Blaster
  • No
  • N/A
  • More Info
  • Compulsory Trades under another authority
  •  
  • Blaster
  • No
  • N/A
  • More Info
  • Compulsory Trades under another authority
  •  
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.

Trade Reg Changes
Trade Regulations
     Trade Profile     
Compulsory Trades under another authority Regulated by the Occupational Health and Safety Division
More Info More information...
  • Boat Builder  Video
  • Yes
  • 5,400
  • 9,450
  •  
  •  
  • Boat Builder  Video
  • Yes
  • 5,400
  • 9,450
  •  
  •  
📹 Boat Builder Test Drive video
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.

Curriculum Standard(s):
 • 2016 Curriculum Standard
Trade Reg Changes
Trade Regulations
     Trade Profile     
  • Cabinetmaker
  • No
  • N/A
  • 10,800
  •  
  •   Red Seal Trades
  • Cabinetmaker
  • No
  • N/A
  • 10,800
  •  
  •   Red Seal Trades
Builds custom or production-type wooden (or wood substitute) fixtures and furniture.
     Trade Profile     
  • Communications Technician
  • No
  • N/A
  • More Info
  • Compulsory Trades under another authority
  •  
  • Communications Technician
  • No
  • N/A
  • More Info
  • Compulsory Trades under another authority
  •  
Installs, repairs, upgrades and maintains communication cables.

Trade Regulations
     Trade Profile     
Compulsory Trades under another authority Regulated by the Technical Safety Division
More Info More information...
  • Construction Craft Worker
  • No
  • N/A
  • 5,400
  •  
  •   Red Seal Trades
  • Construction Craft Worker
  • No
  • N/A
  • 5,400
  •  
  •   Red Seal Trades
Sets up/dismantles forms; performs site preparation and clean-up, excavation, backfill/compaction, traffic control duties, concrete placement and finishing and mason tending; and operates grading equipment.
     Trade Profile     
  • Hairstylist
  • No
  • N/A
  • More Info
  • Compulsory Trades under another authority
  •   Red Seal Trades
  • Hairstylist
  • No
  • N/A
  • More Info
  • Compulsory Trades under another authority
  •   Red Seal Trades
Shampoos, cuts, styles and chemically treats hair.

Trade Regulations
     Trade Profile     
Compulsory Trades under another authority Regulated by The Cosmetology Association of Nova Scotia
  • Heavy Equipment Operator (Dozer)
  • No
  • N/A
  • 8,100
  •  
  •   Red Seal Trades
  • Heavy Equipment Operator (Dozer)
  • No
  • N/A
  • 8,100
  •  
  •   Red Seal Trades
Dozer operators operate dozers to move, spread and strip earth, rock, gravel or other materials during construction and related activities. They work in the construction and maintenance of roads, bridges, airports and utilities, and the construction of gas and oil pipelines, tunnels, buildings and other structures. Dozers are also used to clear brush and stumps prior to logging activities and to build roads at logging and surface mining sites.

     Trade Profile     
  • Heavy Equipment Operator (Excavator)
  • No
  • N/A
  • 8,100
  •  
  •   Red Seal Trades
  • Heavy Equipment Operator (Excavator)
  • No
  • N/A
  • 8,100
  •  
  •   Red Seal Trades
Excavator operators operate excavators to excavate, move, lift, strip, stockpile and place earth, rock, gravel or other materials. They work in the construction and maintenance of roads, bridges, airports and utilities, and the construction of gas and oil pipelines, tunnels, buildings and other structures. They also operate equipment in surface mining, quarrying, and land clearing activities. Excavators are also used to create slopes, to clear land at logging and surface mining sites and to perform demolitions.

     Trade Profile     
  • Heavy Eq. Op. (Tractor-Loader-Backhoe)
  • No
  • N/A
  • 8,100
  •  
  •   Red Seal Trades
  • Heavy Eq. Op. (Tractor-Loader-Backhoe)
  • No
  • N/A
  • 8,100
  •  
  •   Red Seal Trades
Tractor-loader-backhoe operators (TLB) operate tractor-loader-backhoes to move and load earth, rock, gravel or other materials during construction and related activities. They work in the construction and maintenance of roads, bridges, airports and utilities, and of gas and oil pipelines, tunnels, buildings and other structures. They also operate equipment in surface mining, quarrying, and land clearing activities.

     Trade Profile     
  • Machinist
  • Yes
  • 7,200
  • 10,800
  •  
  •   Red Seal Trades
  • Machinist
  • Yes
  • 7,200
  • 10,800
  •  
  •   Red Seal Trades
Manufactures and repairs industrial components and mechanical devices by using a variety of metal cutting and shaping machinery.

Curriculum Standard(s):
 • 2013 Curriculum Standard

Trade Harmonization:
Trade Reg Changes
Trade Regulations
     Trade Profile     
  • Marine Fitter - INACTIVE
  • No
  • N/A
  • N/A
  •  
  •  
  • Marine Fitter - INACTIVE
  • No
  • N/A
  • N/A
  •  
  •  
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.


Trade Reg Changes
Trade Regulations
     Trade Profile     
  • Marine Service Technician
  • Yes
  • 7,200
  • 10,800
  •  
  •  
  • Marine Service Technician
  • Yes
  • 7,200
  • 10,800
  •  
  •  
Services and repairs, refits and upgrades marine vessels (motor and sail). The service and repair of marine vessels includes structural, cosmetic, electrical and mechanical work.

Curriculum Standard(s):
 • 2017 Recommended Curriculum Changes
 • 2016 Curriculum Standard
Trade Reg Changes
Trade Regulations
     Trade Profile     
  • Mobile Crane Operator
  • No
  • N/A
  • More Info
  • Compulsory Trades under another authority
  •   Red Seal Trades
  • Mobile Crane Operator
  • No
  • N/A
  • More Info
  • Compulsory Trades under another authority
  •   Red Seal Trades
Uses mobile cranes to lift, move, position and place materials and equipment. Performs pre-operational inspections; calculates crane capacities, determines load weight, and sets-up, positions and stabilizes the crane before the lift. Disassembles, travels and transports mobile cranes.

Trade Regulations
     Trade Profile     
Compulsory Trades under another authority Regulated by the Technical Safety Division
More Info TQ Hrs = Mobile Crane Operator 1 or 2 Certificate. More information...
  • Partsperson
  • No
  • N/A
  • 8,100
  •  
  •   Red Seal Trades
  • Partsperson
  • No
  • N/A
  • 8,100
  •  
  •   Red Seal Trades
Stores and dispenses automotive, heavy duty or farm machinery parts.

     Trade Profile     
  • Power Engineer
  • Yes
  • More Info
  • More Info
  • Compulsory Trades under another authority
  •  
  • Power Engineer
  • Yes
  • More Info
  • More Info
  • Compulsory Trades under another authority
  •  
Maintains equipment, boilers and generators that provide heat, ventilation and power for buildings.

Trade Regulations
     Trade Profile     
Compulsory Trades under another authority Regulated by the Technical Safety Division
More Info App Hrs - See Trade Regulations; TQ Hrs - Contact the Technical Safety Division

Curriculum Standard(s):
 • Power Engineer 4th Class Program Structure
 • Power Engineer 3rd Class Program Structure
 • Power Engineer 2nd Class Program Structure
  • Recreation Vehicle Service Technician
  • No
  • N/A
  • 8,100
  •  
  •   Red Seal Trades
  • Recreation Vehicle Service Technician
  • No
  • N/A
  • 8,100
  •  
  •   Red Seal Trades
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.

     Trade Profile     
  • Rig Technician
  • No
  • N/A
  • 9,000
  •  
  •   Red Seal Trades
  • Rig Technician
  • No
  • N/A
  • 9,000
  •  
  •   Red Seal Trades
Operates the drawworks, rotary equipment and pumps, inspects rigs, maintains records of drilling operations, and oversees rig mobilization and demobilization.
     Trade Profile     
  • Roofer
  • Yes
  • 5,400
  • 8,100
  •  
  •   Red Seal Trades
  • Roofer
  • Yes
  • 5,400
  • 8,100
  •  
  •   Red Seal Trades
Installs and repairs single-ply or multi-ply roofing systems, shingles and pre-formed rigid sheeting.

Curriculum Standard(s):
 • 2014 Curriculum Standard
Trade Reg Changes
Trade Regulations
     Trade Profile     
  • Tilesetter
  • No
  • N/A
  • 8,100
  •  
  •   Red Seal Trades
  • Tilesetter
  • No
  • N/A
  • 8,100
  •  
  •   Red Seal Trades
Covers, repairs and decorates surfaces using ceramic, marble and other materials.
     Trade Profile     
  • Tool and Die Maker
  • No
  • N/A
  • 10,800
  •  
  •   Red Seal Trades
  • Tool and Die Maker
  • No
  • N/A
  • 10,800
  •  
  •   Red Seal Trades
Makes, repairs, modifies custom-made prototype or special tools, dies, and fixtures.
     Trade Profile     
  • Tower Crane Operator
  • No
  • N/A
  • More Info
  • Compulsory Trades under another authority
  •   Red Seal Trades
  • Tower Crane Operator
  • No
  • N/A
  • More Info
  • Compulsory Trades under another authority
  •   Red Seal Trades
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.

Trade Regulations
     Trade Profile     
Compulsory Trades under another authority Regulated by the Technical Safety Division
More Info TQ Hrs = Mobile Crane Operator 1 or 2 Certificate. More information...
  • Transport Trailer Technician
  • No
  • N/A
  • 8,100
  •  
  •   Red Seal Trades
  • Transport Trailer Technician
  • No
  • N/A
  • 8,100
  •  
  •   Red Seal Trades
Repairs and services the braking, electrical, hydraulic system and heating/ cooling units of trucks-trailers.
     Trade Profile