About Designated Trades

Designated trades are professions that are regulated by the Skilled Trades and Apprenticeship Education Act.

This means that there are legislated requirements for how people learn and work in the trade.

Alberta has more than 50 designated trades, spanning many industries including mechanical, electrical, automotive, manufacturing, building, and service.

Trade designation allows Alberta to establish the following:

Designated trades have province-wide standards for journeyperson certification.

Once a trade is designated, the Alberta Board of Skilled Trades sets standards for journeyperson certification.

These standards are created with help from industry experts to make sure they match the needs of employers.

One or more of four possible streams may be established as pathways to journeyperson certification:

Apprenticeship Education Program
- If you are new to the trade, register as an apprentice to begin learning and working toward your Journeyperson Certificate.
Trades Qualifier - Work Experience Program
- If you have previous experience in the trade (in or outside of Alberta), get your hours verified and take exams to qualify for your Journeyperson Certificate.
Trades Qualifier - Recognized Credential Program
- If you have a non-Alberta recognized trade credential, take exams to qualify for your Journeyperson Certificate.
Trades Qualifier - Recognized Training
- For designated trades that do not have an apprenticeship program, the board sets requirements such as successful completion of recognized education or training, minimum work experience, or examinations to qualify your Journeyperson Certificate.

Trade designation allows specific tasks and functions to be restricted, requiring authorization to perform.

Restricted activities are tasks or functions that a tradesperson performs as part of a designated trade that require authorization to perform.

Schedule 2 of the Designated Trades and Restricted Activities Regulation restricted activities for each trade.

Working in a designated trade usually means you'll need to meet regulated requirements.

Schedule 2 of the Designated Trades and Restricted Activities Regulation classes of individuals authorized to perform restricted activities for each trade.

Employers can trust that anyone with an Alberta a journeyperson certificate has a high level of skill and knowledge in the field.
Albertans have clear pathways to gaining trade skills and knowledge and establishing rewarding careers as certified journeypersons.
Workers' safety is protected: Only those with training or supervision can perform potentially dangerous tasks that require technical knowledge and expertise.
Public and consumer safety is protected: Albertans can be assured that work within a designated trade has been performed by competent and qualified individuals.

Is your industry interested in exploring trade designation? Our Industry Pathways initiative can help.