Why Become a Level Challenger

Our province's growing economy creates strong demands for skilled trade workers. By challenging a level exam, you can enter the most appropriate apprenticeship level, put yourself on the fast track to becoming a certified journeyperson which can then lead to a successful and rewarding career.

What You Need to Know

A Level Challenger is an uncertified worker in one of the Skilled Trades Certification trades who has:

• some experience in their trade, and

• completed 1,800 work-based training hours (approximately over 1 year) per level for each level they wish to challenge

Use the self-assessment forms to determine which level exam in the electrical and mechanical Skilled Trades Certification trades is best for you to challenge.

Self-Assessment Forms for Level Process 

• Find your trade, select your level based on the work-based training hours you have completed and start the self-assessment. Click here to access the self-assessment forms. 

• Here are the required hours of training for each level. Same hours apply for all Skilled Trades Certification trades.

  • Level 1 Challengers = 1,800 hours of work-based training (approximately over 1 year)

  • Level 2 Challengers = 3,600 hours of work-based training (approximately 2.3 years)

  • Level 3 Challengers = 5,400 hours of work-based training (approximately 3.5 years)

• The forms allow you to assess your knowledge of each of the areas of competencies taught in the particular level of technical training. The questions are also weighted similarly to the exam written at the end of each technical training level.

• After assessing the level of competencies, the form will highlight areas of strength and areas you may need further knowledge or practical experience.

  • If you score 65% or above, you may be ready for the selected level exam.

  • If you score 64% or below, you should seek further training or support, or re-take the self-assessment at a lower level.