CANADA – The Interprovincial Standards Red Seal Program is seeking feedback to its new draft standard for cabinetmakers.

The Red Seal Occupational Standard (RSOS) for the Cabinetmaker trade was developed at a recent national virtual event attended by trade experts and apprenticeship instructors from across Canada. The stakeholders identified and recorded all of the activities of a professional cabinetmaker. The standard they crafted is divided into major work activities, which are broken down into tasks. The tasks are further down into distinct sub-tasks.

Interested parties are invited to participate in an online survey to confirm the activities identified in draft standard. The deadline to do so is Aug. 31. After the survey is completed, provincial and territorial industry and apprenticeship committees will also review and validate the standard.

The Red Seal Program, launched in 1962, is administered in each province and territory by the respective apprenticeship and certification authorities through the assistance of the Employment and Social Development Canada. The program works directly with the skilled trades industry to develop standards and exams for each Red Seal trades. A tradesperson who passes the Red Seal exam receives a Red Seal endorsement. The Red Seal is proof that a tradesperson has met the national standard in his or her trade.

Cabinetmaker is one of 56 trade skills included in the Red Seal Program. Others include carpentry, automotive service technician, cook and roofer to name a few.

In addition to identifying tasks performed by skilled workers in a trade, the Red Seal program:

• Develops instruments for use in the preparation of Interprovincial Red Seal Examinations and assessment tools for apprenticeship and certification authorities;
• Develops common tools for apprenticeship on-the-job and technical training in Canada;
• Facilitates the mobility of apprentices and skilled workers in Canada; and,
• Supplies employers, employees, associations, industries, training institutions and governments with complete analyses of occupations.

Participate in the Red Seal Cabinetmaker survey.