Canada attracts thousands of immigrants each year with valuable and needed experience in the skilled trades. Unfortunately, many of these skilled foreign workers become stranded assets when provincial regulators fail to recognize their foreign certifications. When faced with the prospect of beginning again at first-term wages, many workers will leave construction to pursue careers elsewhere. The UBC Bridge to Red Seal project focuses on helping more Canadian newcomers with foreign credentials write the Red Seal exam and join the construction industry workforce.
The UBC Bridge to Red Seal project, funded in part by the Government of Canada’s Foreign Credential Recognition (FCR) Program, will support 1,500 internationally trained workers by providing prior learning assessments, theory training, and language supports to assist them in getting their foreign credentials recognized and receiving their Red Seal accreditation.
The project will develop assessment tools to evaluate the work experience of these internationally trained trades: Carpenter, Lather (Interior Systems Mechanic), Industrial Mechanic (Millwright), and Welder. It will also assist with navigating provincial trades organizations for recognition of hours and credentials. Specialized curriculum will be created to help participants bridge their theoretical knowledge gap in order to challenge the interprovincial Red Seal exam.
The UBC Bridge to Red Seal will support workforce diversification, quickly integrating internationally trained workers, and supporting our contractor partners by providing experienced workers to their jobsites.
The UBC Canadian District will receive $9,023,177 from the Foreign Credential Recognition program to fund UBC Bridge to Red Seal over a 4-year term.
