Become Certified
Trades Qualifier - Work Experience Program
Apply for the Trades Qualifier - Work Experience program to qualify for your Alberta Journeyperson Certificate if:
- you have work experience in an Alberta-designated trade, but you do not hold a trade certificate, or
- you have a trade certificate from out of province that is not recognized in Alberta.
The Alberta Trades Qualifier - Work Experience program is intended for individuals who plan to live and work in Alberta and complete all program requirements in Alberta. The program is not intended for individuals who reside and work in another Canadian jurisdiction and are seeking certification in a trade that is not designated or regulated in their home jurisdiction.
Visit the profile for your trade and see if you have enough experience to qualify.
Eligibility
To apply, you must:
- be a Canadian citizen, permanent resident, or eligible Foreign National,
- have the minimum required work experience months and hours in the trade you are applying for (listed in Trade Profile),
- have up-to-date contact information for employers who can verify your work experience,
- be prepared to live and work in Alberta with an eligible Alberta employer, as required, to complete all Trades Qualifier program requirements in Alberta, including any required examination(s), competency assessment(s), and practical evaluations, and
- meet all legal requirements to work in Alberta if you are applying as a foreign national.
Foreign National Applicants
You must be legally authorized to work in Alberta and able to obtain and maintain any required immigration, visa, or work permit documentation necessary to complete program requirements. Approval into the Trades Qualifier - Work Experience program does not provide authorization to work in Canada or Alberta. More information is available on the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) website.
How it Works
Detailed, step-by-step program information is available here. An overview is provided below.
1. Demonstrate your experience.
Submit an online application with your employer information so we can verify your work experience.
- You can begin performing restricted activities that require registration or certification in your trade after you have submitted the application, as long as your application is not rejected.
- Once we have verified your experience, you will have 18 months to complete the competency and knowledge portions of the program.
2. Demonstrate your competency.
Demonstrate that you have the hands-on skills required in your trade.
- Depending on the trade, one or more of the below may be required:
- practical exam
- trades competency verification (working with an Alberta journeyperson in the trade or a person who holds an Alberta-recognized credential to demonstrate your skills on the job),
- employer declaration letter from a current Alberta employer (confirming their satisfaction with your skills).
- Review the Trades Qualifier section of the profile for your trade to determine which of the above are required in your trade.
3. Demonstrate your knowledge.
Pass a theory exam to demonstrate that you have the knowledge and understanding required for your trade.
- Find out what topics you'll be asked about by downloading the exam Counselling Sheets (outlines) for your trade in our Study Resources section.
- Learn more about Trades Qualifier Exams here.