About the Business Seal
Do you want to develop the skills you need to manage a trades-related business? Do you want to start your own trades business? Then the Atlantic Trades Business Seal Program (ATBS) is for you!
The Atlantic Trades Business Seal Program is a continuing education program for Atlantic journeypersons to advance their business and leadership skills and to gain regional career mobility. The seal can prepare you to take over a managerial role at your company or to start your own business. If you are already a business owner, the program can help you develop the skills you need to take your business to the next level. Get started!
How do I get started?
If you are a certified journeyperson, you are eligible for the program. In Nova Scotia, you can apply to the Nova Scotia Apprenticeship Agency to take the program's five modules, which develop specific skill-sets that are crucial to entrepreneurs and business management. The ATBS is offered remotely with a combination of synchronistic online meetings and asynchronistic online learning.
- Nova Scotia Apprenticeship Agency (NSAA): 902-424-5651; TF 1-800-494-5651
- NL's College of the North Atlantic (Corner Brook): 709-758-7357
- PEI's Holland College (Charlottetown): 902-566-9612
Modules
Each module takes 30 hours of in-class time (currently, only NSCC offers an online option for select modules). You can complete the modules in any order and from any participating college. You can also complete only those that are relevant to you, without applying for the seal.
To get the Atlantic Trades Business Seal, you must send proof of completion (transcripts) of the five modules (listed below) to the Atlantic Apprenticeship Council Office:
- Nova Scotia: 1-902-424-3411
- Newfoundland and Labrador: 1-877-771-3737
- Prince Edward Island : 1-902-368-4460
The Atlantic Apprenticeship Council (AAC) is composed of apprenticeship directors and board chairs in the Atlantic provinces. The AAC’s mandate is to encourage the standardization of apprenticeship training and certification programs and to provide greater mobility across Atlantic Canada for skilled workers. The Council works to implement and recognize occupational standards, examinations, and credentials that are based on the Red Seal Program and include Atlantic Canadian content.
In this module, you will learn how to:
- Conduct market research
- Establish price policy
- Develop marketing strategies
- Sell products and services
- Establish and maintain customer relationships
In this module, you will learn how to:
- Conduct market research
- Establish price policy
- Develop marketing strategies
- Sell products and services
- Establish and maintain customer relationships
In this module, you will learn how to:
- Obtain and manage inventory
- Schedule production
- Job cost and estimate
- Set up and apply quality control
- Apply Occupational Health and Safety Standards
- Manage meetings
- Organize business information
In this module, you will learn how to:
- Obtain and manage inventory
- Schedule production
- Job cost and estimate
- Set up and apply quality control
- Apply Occupational Health and Safety Standards
- Manage meetings
- Organize business information
In this module, you will learn how to:
- Conduct strategic planning
- Develop a business plan
In this module, you will learn how to:
- Conduct strategic planning
- Develop a business plan
In this module, you will learn how to:
- Interpret financial statements
- Secure credit
- Remit government-related financial requirements
- Manage cash flow
In this module, you will learn how to:
- Interpret financial statements
- Secure credit
- Remit government-related financial requirements
- Manage cash flow
In this module, you will learn how to:
- Allocate human resources for trade-related businesses
- Recruit, hire, and terminate employees
- Develop and establish personnel policies
- Lead employees
- Identify the importance of succession plans
In this module, you will learn how to:
- Allocate human resources for trade-related businesses
- Recruit, hire, and terminate employees
- Develop and establish personnel policies
- Lead employees
- Identify the importance of succession plans