Common Questions About Trades & Apprenticeship

Apprenticeship is a form of post-secondary education that combines paid on-the-job training with technical classroom instruction. As an apprentice, you work under the supervision of a certified journeyperson while earning a wage that increases as you progress through each level of the program.

To become an apprentice, you need to find an employer in your chosen trade who is willing to hire and train you. Once employed, both you and your employer sign an apprenticeship agreement and register with GNB’s Apprenticeship and Occupational Certification branch. No prior experience is required for most trades.

In most cases, a high school diploma or equivalent is required to register as an apprentice in New Brunswick. Some trades may have additional requirements. Contact GNB’s Apprenticeship branch for details on the specific trade you’re interested in.

The length varies by trade. Most apprenticeship programs in New Brunswick take between 2 and 5 years to complete, combining on-the-job hours with technical training blocks at NBCC, CCNB, or an approved institution.

The Red Seal (Interprovincial Standards Program) is a nationally recognized certification that allows certified journeypersons to work in their trade across Canada without having to re-qualify. New Brunswick has 54 Red Seal designated trades. After achieving journeyperson certification, eligible tradespeople can write the Red Seal exam.

Apprentices may be eligible for the Apprenticeship Incentive Grant ($1,000/year for the first two years of a Red Seal trade), the Apprenticeship Completion Bonus ($2,000 upon certification), and Employment Insurance benefits during technical training blocks. Employers may also access tax credits for hiring apprentices.

Yes. If you have existing trade experience or partial training, you may be eligible for Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition (PLAR), which can reduce the number of hours or levels required to complete your apprenticeship. Contact GNB’s Apprenticeship branch to apply.

The Government of New Brunswick’s Apprenticeship and Occupational Certification branch is the primary resource for apprenticeship in NB. You can also browse our Resources for You page or contact us directly through the Contact page.