Future of work

Main findings

More people are registering as apprentices in Canada’s largest Red Seal trades, but completions have been slower to recover from pandemic-era declines. The report highlights why tracking completions is just as important as recruiting new apprentices.

Key takeaways

• New registrations in the 15 largest Red Seal trades increased in 2022.
• Program completions remained below pre-pandemic levels. 
• Completion patterns varied by trade, province, and gender. 
• Registration numbers alone do not show how many apprentices became certified.
• The report highlights the importance of tracking apprenticeship progression and completion, not just entry into training.

Plain language summary

Using data from Statistics Canada’s Registered Apprenticeship Information System, the Canadian Apprenticeship Forum report examines new registrations and completions across the 15 largest Red Seal apprenticeship programs in Canada, excluding the territories. (See page 4 of the of programs.)

The report shows that new registrations recovered in 2022 after declining during the COVID-19 pandemic, suggesting that more people were entering apprenticeship programs in many major Red Seal trades. However, completions did not recover at the same pace. This matters because registration shows who enters the apprenticeship system, but not who finishes and becomes certified. For that, completion rates are needed.

The report also shows that apprenticeship outcomes vary across trades, provinces, and gender. These differences suggest that apprentices face conditions that vary based on trade, location, and personal circumstances.

Overall, the report shows why apprenticeship data should be interpreted carefully. Rising numbers of registrants are a positive sign, but do not automatically translate into a greater supply of certified tradespeople.

Definitions

• Apprenticeship registration: Formal enrolment of an individual in an apprenticeship program.
• Completion rate: The proportion of enrolled apprentices who successfully complete their apprenticeship and receive certification.
• Red Seal trade: A trade recognized under Canada’s Red Seal Program that allows certified workers to practise in participating provinces and territories.
• Journeyperson: A worker who has completed apprenticeship training and achieved certification in their trade.

Why the results matter

For the public sector:

The findings show why apprenticeship policy should consider both recruitment and completion—not just the former. Increasing the number of registrations can help grow the training pipeline, but completion data provide a clearer picture of how many apprentices become certified.

For employers and employment services:

Employers and employment services can use completion data to better understand how to support apprentices. Recruitment is important, but workplace support, mentorship, and access to training may also affect whether apprentices complete their programs.

For post-secondary institutions and students:

The report can help students understand that entering an apprenticeship is just one step on a longer path. Completion and certification are key milestones for many careers in the skilled trades.

For educators, career development professionals, and job-seekers:

Career guidance should include information about both apprenticeship opportunities and completion patterns. This can help prospective apprentices make more informed decisions about embarking on trades training.

For people working with underrepresented and underserved groups:

Because the report shows differences in completion by gender, it can support discussions about barriers and supports in apprenticeship systems. Additional data may be needed to understand outcomes for other groups.

For people in the LMI ecosystem:

The report reinforces the value of tracking apprenticeship progression, not only registrations. Without completion data, registration trends may overstate the likely future supply of certified tradespeople.

For most Canadians:

Certified tradespeople support many sectors of the economy, including construction, transportation, manufacturing, and repair services. If too few apprentices complete their training, Canadians may face longer waits, higher costs, and shortages of workers in essential trades.

Notes and important disclaimer

• The report focuses on the 15 largest Red Seal apprenticeship programs in Canada, excluding the territories. 
• Registration trends and completion rates can be affected by economic conditions, employer demand, training availability, and policy changes. 
• Completion rates should not be interpreted as measures of individual ability. They reflect a combination of personal, workplace, institutional, and economic factors.