Experienced
Workers
Pathway for experienced workers
Experienced workers are a crucial group in the trades, as they bring years of valuable experience and in-demand skills to the table.
With Skilled Trades Certification in effect, we have created a clear pathway for experienced workers to meet the requirements.
This includes an option to apply to become a Trade Qualifier, formalizing your skills and writing the final exam, or to apply to become an Uncertified Experienced Worker, continuing to work in your trade with a Temporary Authorization for another several years as you transition to getting off the tools.
What you need to know - Trade Qualifiers
Trade Qualifiers are highly experienced tradespeople who are looking to have their hard work and skills recognized, getting certified without having to do an apprenticeship.
Applicants need to demonstrate to SkilledTradesBC that they have extensive, practical experience in their trade, which can be verified by previous employers.
Trade Qualifiers in the Skilled Trades Certification trades will be automatically issued a Temporary Authorization upon approval, allowing you to continue working in your trade while you are preparing to write and pass the certification exam.
Before you apply to become a Trade Qualifier, please ensure you meet the following criteria:
You have worked the required minimum work-based training hours (5+ years) in the trade you are applying for. Visit the program page of your trade below for more details.
Electrical | Mechanical |
|---|---|
Construction Electrician (9,000 hours) | Refrigeration & Air Conditioning Mechanic (9,315 hours) |
Industrial Electrician (9,000 hours) | Gasfitter Class A (4,500 hours) |
Powerline Technician (10,080 hours) | Steamfitter/Pipefitter (9,450 hours) |
| Sheet Metal Worker (9,360 hours) |
You have experience performing at least 70% of the job tasks listed in the employer/statutory declaration form of your trade.
The references of previous employers, listed on your application, can be contacted via phone to verify your work experience. References that cannot be contacted can result in your application being denied.
Steps to Become a Trade Qualifier
Ensure you have the minimum work-based training hours that can be verified and have met the necessary requirements. Visit the program page of your trade for more details.
Sign up to the SkilledTradesBC Portal and select “I want to become certified/I want to be a Trade Qualifier/I want to become an Uncertified Experienced Worker.”
Once you have signed up for the Portal, click on “Applications” on the left to begin the application process. Visit this how-to guide, which details how to navigate this process.
You also need to submit an Employer and/or Statutory Declaration of Work Experience form for each period of work experience. The forms can be downloaded from the Challenge the Trade section on the program page of your trade.
Submit your completed application form and declarations through the Portal. There is an application fee of $120.
You will receive a notification that we have received your application and when we have begun the evaluation process. We will review your work history, talk to your employers, and determine if you have the necessary experience to challenge the trade. This will take 6-8 weeks to process and longer if you have international experience. While your application is under review, you may continue working in your trade.
Once you have received an email from us stating that your application has been approved, you will also receive a Temporary Authorization. Temporary Authorization will allow you to continue working in your trade for 24 months while you prepare and write your exam.
Trade Qualifiers will have up to four attempts to write and pass their exam within 24 months of approval.
Once you have written the exam and passed, you will become a certified journeyperson and fulfill the requirements of Skilled Trades Certification.
If you have not succeeded in passing the exam after four attempts and wish to continue working in the trade, you will need to register as an apprentice 30 days before your Temporary Authorization expires. You will be automatically placed into Level 4 of your trade and receive full work-based training hours. You will then need to attend technical training and pass the final exam in order to receive certification and fulfil the requirements.
What you need to know - Uncertified Experienced Workers
If you plan to get off the tools in the next few years and want to continue working until then, you can apply for a Temporary Authorization as an Uncertified Experienced Worker.
Before applying, ensure you have at least 36,000 hours of work experience (20+ years) and can demonstrate the competencies outlined in the trade program profile.
Upon approval, you will receive a one-time Temporary Authorization, allowing you to continue working for a maximum of five years from the date the trade was implemented under Skilled Trades Certification. This will allow you to continue providing your valuable experience as a trade worker in the system, setting you up to transition to your future plans.
To begin your application and become an Uncertified Experienced Worker, sign up for the Portal.
Steps to Become an
Uncertified Experienced Worker
Ensure you have at least 36,000 hours of work experience that meet the competencies included in the trade program profile.
Sign up to the SkilledTradesBC Portal and select “I want to become certified/I want to be a Trade Qualifier/I want to become an Uncertified Experienced Worker.”
Once you have signed up to the Portal, click on “Applications” on the left to begin the application process. Read this how-to guide for further instructions on this application.
You also need to submit an Employer and/or Statutory Declaration of Work Experience form for each period of work experience. The forms can be downloaded from the Challenge the Trade section on the program page of your trade.
Submit your completed application form and declarations through the Portal.
You will receive a notification that we have received your application and when we have begun the evaluation process. We will review your work history, talk to your employers, and determine if you have the necessary experience and skills. This will take 6-8 weeks to process and longer if you have international experience. While your application is under review, you may continue working in your trade.
Once you have received an email from us stating that your application has been approved, you will receive a one-time Temporary Authorization, allowing you to continue working in your trade for a maximum of five years from the date the trade was implemented under Skilled Trades Certification.
Need
Support?
In addition to the provincial and federal supports available to registered employers and apprentices, we have also enhanced our supports to customers in the Skilled Trades Certification trades.
We're Here
to Help
Contact your local Advisor to get the support you need in meeting the requirements.