Learn about Trade Designation

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

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

Being designated means that there are regulated standards for journeyperson certification in the trade. This means that:

employers across the province can trust that all individuals with a journeyperson certificate have a high level of skill and knowledge in the field, and
Albertans have clear pathways to gaining those skills and knowledge and establishing rewarding careers as certified journeypersons.

Trade designation also allows Alberta to regulate who can work within the trade. This means that:

workers' safety is protected: only those with training or supervision can perform potentially dangerous tasks that require technical knowledge and expertise, and
public and consumer safety is protected: Albertans can be assured that work within a designated trade has been performed by competent and qualified individuals.

When a trade is designated:

1. A list of restricted activities is identified for the trade

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 lists for each trade:

restricted activities, and
classes of individuals authorized to perform restricted activities for each trade.

2. Individuals authorized perform restricted activities are identified

To perform restricted activities (and therefore work within a designated trade), you must:

be a registered apprentice, or
be a certified journeyperson.

In some trades uncertified individuals whose employers deem them to have the skills and competencies expected of a journeyperson are also authorized to perform restricted activities. A list of these trades can be found here.

Visit the trade profile for your trade to learn more.

3. Standards for journeyperson certification are set

Once a trade or occupation is designated, its standards for journeyperson certification are set by the Alberta Board of Skilled Trades.

The board consults with industry experts to establish and update certification requirements to meet the needs of employers.

For each designated trade, 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.
Alternative Recognized Education or Training (previously known as Occupation Programs--more information coming soon)
- 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.

Most designated trades have an associated Apprenticeship Education Program. Learn how to get started in the trades and become an apprentice.