Ontario Construction News staff writer
The Government of Canada is providing $9 million to help 1,500 internationally trained professionals gain certification in high-demand skilled trades. Funding, announced by Employment, Workforce Development, and Official Languages Minister Randy Boissonnault, will support the Bridge to Red Seal program run by the United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners of America (UBC) Canadian District.
Through the Foreign Credential Recognition (FCR) Program, internationally trained workers will be able to obtain Red Seal certification in trades such as carpentry, welding, and industrial mechanics (millwrights).
“As a country, we need to ensure that more skilled tradespeople enter the workforce to build the homes, hospitals, schools and other critical infrastructure that Canadians rely on,” said Jason Rowe, Vice President, United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners of America Canadian District. “At the Carpenters’ Union, we know it is especially important to attract and retain individuals that have prior construction experience.
“Our UBC Bridge to Red Seal Program will support internationally trained workers by providing prior learning assessments, hands-on training and language supports to assist them in getting their foreign credentials recognized and receiving their Red Seal accreditation.”
The program will assist participants in bridging gaps in their qualifications through tools that evaluate previous work experience, specialized curriculum to support language acquisition, and guidance on how to have their credentials recognized by provincial trades organizations.
UBC’s Bridge to Red Seal program will also provide support to participants as they prepare for the interprovincial Red Seal exam, a nationally recognized certification that allows workers to practice their trade across Canada.
In addition to the $9 million, the FCR program will receive an additional $50 million over the next two years as part of the 2024 federal budget. This new funding will be directed toward addressing labour shortages in the construction and healthcare sectors.
Canada’s construction industry is facing significant labour shortages, with a high demand for skilled tradespeople to support housing, infrastructure, and industrial projects across the country.
The FCR program, which has already received significant federal investment in previous years, aims to accelerate the integration of internationally trained professionals into the Canadian labour market. By providing funding to provinces, territories, and other organizations, the program aims to streamline credential recognition processes and assist newcomers in navigating the complexities of gaining employment in their field.
UBC officials say the Bridge to Red Seal program is a vital step in helping internationally trained tradespeople integrate into Canada’s workforce, addressing immediate labour shortages while contributing to the long-term sustainability of the skilled trades sector.