Apprenticeship for Red Seal Question:

[Melmister]

Hi all!

I am currently enrolled in an 1800 hour Machinist program and loving it. My question is regarding the apprenticeship to obtain a Red Seal certification.

With many well paying jobs hiring straight out of school without a formal apprenticeship given, should an effort still be made to continue after schooling down the path of apprenticeship? One of the issues is that I see many jobs available with very little experience required as there is a shortage of Machinists, but it is rare I see an opening for a formal apprectice.

Any advice would be appreciated!

[forrey45]

Thats hard when I first came here from the UK ( I had papers from there) almost every body wanted Canadian papers, since I got the red seal nobody seems to ask any more.??
I would do it just in case of that one job one day that may want it.
Forrey.

[Chuck Reamer]

Originally Posted by Melmister Hi all! I am currently enrolled in an 1800 hour Machinist program and loving it. My question is regarding the apprenticeship to obtain a Red Seal certification.

What Tech school are you taking the course at?

I would definitely get your red seal, some of the best jobs out there require it. If another job candidate doesn't have a red seal but you do, the odds are stacked in your favour.

I am even going back to school right now to obtain my Alberta blue seal. I also plan to challenge my Tool & Die red seal this coming summer.

[Melmister]

Thanks for the reply's Forrey and Chuck! I am attending Rosemount Tech centre.

Worst case, if I cannot find a company that will take me on as an apprentice after graduation, can I just take the test for the Red Seal after working a few years?

[Chuck Reamer]

I took a look at the Rosemount website, it looks like a pretty comprehensive course.

You can challenge the red seal, I think that you need at least 7600 hours of work. I attempted to look it up on the Quebec apprenticeship website, but the French I learned in grade 8 isn't enough.

All the information should be on the website, or try to phon the place and they can help you out.

[Melmister]

Thanks Chuck! I'll try to get in contact with them and post when I get a response.

[DareBee]

I am under the understanding that you can only challenge the C of Q if you have another similar trade certificate already. ie Machinist - Millwright.

As far as I know the grandfather clause was done away with a dozen years ago.

[Chuck Reamer]

Originally Posted by DareBee C of Q

?????

Is that just the Quebec journeyman or what.

[DareBee]

Location = Stratford, Ont. Canada

Certificate of Qualification

In regards to Melmister's first question.
All efforts should be made to get all qualifications and training that you can. I have hired some guys with papers that were very useless and I have had guys without papers who are great.
It is possible (and likely) that when I am sorting resumes I toss most of them without papers.
Another point that I consider is that it shows drive or "stick to it-ness" that a person is willing to go through all the motions of getting qualified, wether it is needed or not.
AND some times I can't send a guy out to do site work without a C of Q (not so much an issue with machinists but I have in the past sent machinists to work in a customers tool room for a few weeks if they have staffing issues).