Red seal application HELP!

[moorhs]

hey all, I'm Australian who just got a 2 year IEC work permit. I was wondering how I go about applying for my Red Seal exam to get credited as an Electrician. I researched a bit but got a bit overwhelmed with the information. Has anyone been through or know of this process?

I know I have to get hours worked/references from previous employers. Do I organize that before I apply? Or will the red seal people do it for me when I apply?
Is it common for companies to hire as an trade assistant while waiting for my exam to be passed?
Is there a site that has a checklist of what I need to do for foreign workers? the Red Seal site doesnt really go into much about what is needed for another nationality
Is there a site that I can get a breakdown of the test contents? Is it difficult? Can I print past papers and answers online?
I know there are a couple of different electrical exams, will I have to contact them in order to see which is most suitable for me?

Any help is greatly appreciated! cheers

 

[Kiwisteph]

Hi

We contacted the province we were going to be in and they had more info on their site regarding foreign qualifications.
We then emailed them to to ask how to get them assessed first and then the next steps before sitting the exams etc and what was required for the trade in particular including needing a canadian employer to sign off on level of skill before challenging the trade exam. It'd be more specific for you being a compulsory trade as their is a practical exam so you might not need employer declaration I imagine.

they were really helpful explaining everything. Each provinces apprenticeship/training board is diff so best bet is to contact your one directly

At least getting your trade cert there will help if you want to apply for fast track perm residency through the fed. Skilled trade program. We miss out as hubby is a tiler and not on the list and have used our IEC visa (only 1 year for us kiwis) so trying to apply as temp worker to get back there then residency!

Good luck,

 

[moorhs]

thanks so much! made it seem a lot easier then i was expecting haha

what kind of province department did you contact? the red seal program itself or some other government body?

thanks again!

 

[Kiwisteph]

Hiya
We contacted the Alberta apprenticship board, as that's where we are hoping to go.

But the links to all the different provinces boards that can help you are here
http://www.red-seal.ca/c.4nt.1cts@-eng.jsp?#contact_

Good luck