Designated Trades in Nova Scotia

There are currently 66 designated trades in Nova Scotia.

		Red Seal trades
		12 trades are compulsory* certified under the Apprenticeship and Trades Qualifications Act.
		9 trades are compulsory* certified under another regulatory authority.
		Apprenticeship training is available.

*To work in the compulsory certified trades, a license, certificate or apprentice/trainee status required.

Notes:

• Click on the video camera or the "More information" link for additional info about a trade.
• "Hrs (App)" represent the time requirement for completing an apprenticeship training program.
• "Hrs (TQ)" represent the time requirement for the trade qualification program.

Trade				Hrs (App)	Hrs (TQ)	Description
Agricultural Equipment Technician				N/A	12,000	Repairs and services machines typically used in farming industry.
Alarm and Security Technician				N/A	See More info	Installs/repairs intrusion alarm, closed circuit video and access control systems. More information..
Appliance Service Technician				N/A	9,000	Repairs and services household appliances.
Automotive Glass Technician				N/A	8,000	Performs work in fabricating, removing, installing, repairing and generally servicing glass and associated equipment in motor vehicles.
Automotive Painter				N/A	6,000	Prepares and paints motor vehicles.
Automotive Service Technician				8,000	10,000	Services and repairs the brakes, suspension, engine, and fuel systems of cars and light trucks.
Automotive Service Technician (Service Station Mechanic)				6,000	6,000	Performs tune-ups, safety inspections, services and repairs the brakes, clutch and tires of cars and light trucks.
Baker				N/A	9,000	Makes breads, pastries, cookies, and cakes.
Blaster Regulated by the Occupational Health and Safety Division				N/A	See Eligibility Rqmts	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. More information..
Boat Builder				6,000	10,500	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				5,400	8,000	Builds, tests, and repairs air-tight and liquid-tight containers such as boilers and storage tanks.
Bricklayer				6,000	10,000	Builds and repairs walls, floors, fireplaces, walkways with bricks, blocks, and stones.
Cabinetmaker				N/A	12,000	Builds custom or production-type wooden (or wood substitute) fixtures and furniture.
Carpenter				8,000	12,000	Works with wood or wood substitutes in the construction of buildings.
Communications Technician See More information				N/A	See More info	Installs, repairs, upgrades and maintains communication cables. More information..
Concrete Finisher				N/A	9,000	Places, finishes, cuts, and repairs concrete.
Construction Craft Worker				N/A	6,000	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				8,000 See More info	10,000 See More info	Installs, alters, repairs, and maintains electrical systems in buildings and residences. More information..
Cook				6,000	9,000	Prepares food and meals in hotels, restaurants, and institutions.
Electric Motor System Technician				N/A	12,000	Repairs and rebuilds electric motors, generators, transformers, controls, and equipment.
Floorcovering Installer				N/A	9,000	Installs many types of resilient or carpet floor coverings.
Gas Fitter Regulated by the Building, Fire and Technical Safety (BFTS) Division				See Trade regs	See Trade regs	Installs piping, appliances, equipment, and controls for the use of natural gas or propane as a fuel. More information..
Glazier				N/A	12,000	Prepares, installs, and replaces glass.
Hairstylist Regulated by The Cosmetology Association of Nova Scotia				N/A	Master Hairstylist Certificate	Cuts, trims, waves and colours hair; massages face and scalp; trims beards and mustaches.
Heavy Duty Equipment Technician				8,000	8,000	Repairs and maintains heavy-duty equipment such as bulldozers, cranes, and graders.
Heavy Equipment Operator (Red Seal exam under development)				N/A	10,000	Operates heavy equipment used in surface mining, quarrying and land clearing and in the construction and maintenance of roads, bridges, airports, utilities, gas/oil pipelines, tunnels, buildings and other structures.
Industrial Electrician				8,000 See More info	12,000 See More info	Installs, repairs, and maintains electrical wiring and electrical equipment for industrial uses. More information..
Industrial Mechanic (Millwright)				8,000	12,000	Installs and maintains machinery and equipment in factories and production plants.
Instrumentation and Control Technician				8,000	12,000	Repairs, maintains, and installs industrial measuring and controlling equipment.
Insulator (Heat and Frost)				8,000	10,000	Installs insulating materials in commercial and industrial structures; removes asbestos.
Ironworker (Generalist)				6,000	9,000	Builds, erects, constructs, and joins structural steel used in buildings, bridges, and towers.
Ironworker (Reinforcing)				3,000	6,000	Cuts, bends, lays out, places, and welds reinforcing steel rods, welded wire fabric and composite materials in poured concrete products and structures. Places and stresses post-tensioning systems.
Ironworker (Structural/Ornamental)				5,000	8,500	Installs and reinforces steel components, precast concrete and glued laminated timber products. Also erects pre-engineered buildings, scaffolds, cranes, hoists and derricks.
Landscape Horticulturist				N/A	See More info	Prepares, lays out and completes a landscape installation plan. More information..
Lather (Interior Systems Mechanic)					10,000	Installs ceiling, drywall partitions, sound proofing and vapour barriers in buildings.
Locksmith				N/A	12,000	Repairs, installs and adjusts locks, and maintains safes and vaults.
Machinist				8,000	12,000	Manufactures and repairs industrial components and mechanical devices by using a variety of metal cutting and shaping machinery.
Marine Fitter INACTIVE				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.
Marine Service Technician (Certification exam under development)				N/A	12,000	Services and repairs, refits and upgrades marine vessels (motor and sail). Service and repair of marine vessels includes structural, cosmetic, electrical and mechanical work.
Metal Fabricator (Fitter)				8,000	12,000	Makes and repairs metal parts used in the construction of bridges, buildings, and boilers.
Mine Electrician INACTIVE				N/A	N/A	Installs, repairs, and maintains electrical equipment and systems used in mining.
Mine Mechanic INACTIVE				N/A	N/A	Repairs, maintains and assembles equipment and machinery used in mining.
Mobile Crane Operator Regulated by the Building, Fire and Technical Safety (BFTS) Division				N/A	Mobile Crane Operator 1 or 2 Certificate	Uses mobile cranes to lift, move, and place heavy objects; repairs, maintains, and moves cranes. More information..
Mobile Crane Operator (Hydraulic) Regulated by the Building, Fire and Technical Safety (BFTS) Division				N/A	See More info	Uses mobile cranes to lift, move, and place heavy objects. Repairs, maintains, and moves: cranes; booms mounted on trucks, wheeled frames or crawlers; traveling/fixed/climbing hoisting equipment with a vertical mast or tower and jib. More information..
Motorcycle Mechanic				N/A	8,000 See More info	Assembles, services, and repairs motorcycles, motorscooters, and accessories More information..
Motor Vehicle Body Repairer (Metal and Paint)				8,000	12,000	Repairs, restores and replaces damaged body parts such as glass, trim, steering, and suspension.
Oil Heat System Technician				6,000	9,000	Installs, repairs, and services oil burning and oil combination burning equipment and appliances.
Painter and Decorator				6,000	6,000	Applies paint, varnish, stain, wallpaper, and wallcoverings to interior and exterior surfaces.
Partsperson				N/A	9,000	Stores and dispenses automotive, heavy duty, or farm machinery parts.
Plumber				8,000	12,000	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 (BFTS) Division				See Trade regs	Contact BFTS Division	Maintains equipment, boilers and generators that provide heat, ventilation and power for buildings.
Powerline Technician				8,000	8,000	Builds and maintains overhead and underground electrical systems, powerlines, poles, and street lights.
Recreation Vehicle Service Technician				N/A	9,000	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				8,000	12,000	Installs and services refrigerating and air conditioning systems.
Restoration Stone Mason				8,000	10,000	Constructs and repairs structures using stone.
Rig Technician				N/A	9,000	Operates the drawworks, rotary equipment and pumps, inspects rigs, maintains records of drilling operations, and oversees rig mobilization and demobilization.
Roofer				6,000	8,000	Installs and repairs single- or multi-ply roofing systems, shingles, and pre-formed rigid sheeting.
Sheet Metal Worker				8,000	12,000	Designs, makes, installs and repairs sheet metal products and parts.
Sprinkler System Installer				8,000	12,000	Installs and maintains permanent fire extinguishing systems.
Steamfitter/Pipefitter				8,000	12,000	Installs piping, equipment, and controls for hot water, steam, process, and chemical piping.
Tilesetter				N/A	12,000	Covers, repairs and decorates surfaces using ceramic, marble and other materials.
Tool and Die Maker				N/A	10,000	Makes, repairs, modifies custom-made prototype or special tools, dies, and fixtures.
Tower Crane Operator Regulated by the Building, Fire and Technical Safety (BFTS) Division				N/A	3,000	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. More information..
Transport Trailer Technician				N/A	12,000	Repairs and services the braking, electrical, hydraulic system and heating/cooling units of trucks-trailers.
Truck and Transport Mechanic				8,000	8,000	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 (BFTS) Division				6,000	7,200	Joins, cuts, or shapes metal using electric arc, oxyacetylene flame, or other processes.