Ask the experts - Interprovincial Standard
In the latest edition of our ‘Ask the experts’ feature, our Research, Data and Insights team is answering another popular question that members ask us.
This month, UK ENIC’s Research Manager Emma Kirby provides the answer to this question: what does ‘Interprovincial Standard’ mean on a Canadian certificate?
Provincial and territorial trade certificates from Canada are typically titled Certificate of Qualification, Journeyman Certificate or Journeyperson Certificate.
Some of these certificates will also include a so-called ‘Red Seal’ that refers to the ‘Interprovincial Standard’. This is a circular red logo with a jagged edge that is affixed to the certificate.
A Red Seal endorsement indicates that the award holder has met a national occupational standard and is eligible to practise anywhere in Canada. UK ENIC compares a certificate bearing the Red Seal to level 3 NVQ.
However, not all learners achieve this standard. And a Red Seal endorsement isn’t even available in some trades.
Where a Certificate of Qualification, Journeyman Certificate or Journeyperson Certificate is awarded without the Red Seal endorsement, the level may vary. As such, we assess these awards on a case-by-case basis.