Compliance
Introduction
Employers and workers in Skilled Trades Certification (compulsory) trades are responsible for meeting the requirements outlined in the Skilled Trades BC Act (Act).
Employers must:
Ensure employees performing work within the scope of work are either registered apprentices, certified journeypersons, or Trade Qualifiers/ Uncertified Experienced Workers with valid Temporary Authorization
Maintain a maximum supervision ratio of two apprentices to every journeyperson (2:1)
Workers performing work within the scope of work for these trades must:
Be one of the following:
A registered apprentice actively working toward certification
A certified journeyperson with a valid certification, or
A Trade Qualifier or Uncertified Experienced Worker with a valid Temporary Authorization
Provide their employer with any required documentation
SkilledTradesBC has structured processes in place to support and monitor employer and trade worker compliance with Skilled Trades Certification requirements.
How We Monitor for Compliance
Certification Advisors
Our team of Certification Advisors provide on-the-ground presence across regions to identify new employers, educate and support employers and trade workers in meeting their regulatory obligations and conduct compliance activities.
Employer Workforce Submission
As a legislative requirement under the Act, employers in Skilled Trades Certification trades must maintain and provide records of their employees’ qualifications through a mandatory Employer Workforce Submission on the SkilledTradesBC Portal.
The Employer Workforce Submission should take only few minutes to complete if you have the information ready. If you haven’t completed the form yet, log into your account on the Portal and a pop-up should appear with further instructions. Failure to submit may result in enforcement measures.
Spot Checks
As part of our routine compliance monitoring process, SkilledTradesBC randomly selects employers across the province to conduct spot checks on premises. During the spot check, Certification Advisors review and confirm the information in your Employer Workforce Submission to ensure alignment with Skilled Trades Certification requirements and provide support as needed. This may include reviewing records such as redacted payroll records, certifications or other relevant workforce documents.
This process is not optional and refusal to accommodate the spot check may be deemed as non-compliance under the Act.
Compliance Inquiries
If you know of a potential instance of non-compliance with Skilled Trades Certification regulatory requirements, we encourage you to complete our compliance inquiry form.
Non-Compliance
Remediation Action Plans
If an employer or a worker in a Skilled Trades Certification trade is found to not meet the requirements outlined in the Act, we will seek to work with them to reach compliance through our formal corrective action program, known as a Remediation Action Plan.
Remediation Action Plans are intended to:
Provide employers and individuals an opportunity to come into compliance by setting out a clear roadmap outlining the specific steps, responsibilities and timelines
Support accountability and document commitments to make progress measurable and transparent
Demonstrate good-faith effort by employers and individuals to actively address issues, reducing the need for escalated enforcement actions
Enforcement Actions
We may take additional actions against employers and individuals who do not comply with the requirements of the Act, and have a range of tools that are part of the enforcement process, including:
Written warnings
Compliance orders
Administrative monetary penalties
Enforcement actions are applied using a graduated approach and depend on factors such as the frequency and severity of the issue, as well as the employer’s or individual’s willingness to comply.
We understand that every situation is unique and our team is here to work collaboratively with employers, providing support and answers to any questions they may have.
The compliance process is designed to be fair and transparent. Certain decisions made by SkilledTradesBC are eligible for the Request for Review process.
Need Support?
If you have questions about Skilled Trades Certification or need support in completing your Employer Workforce Submission, contact a SkilledTradesBC Certification Advisor for one-on-one help.
Get Informed
Access information about Skilled Trades Certification (compulsory) trades, regulatory requirements and available supports.