Sheet Metal Worker trade becomes compulsory certified

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As of May 20, 2014, the Sheet Metal Worker trade became compulsory certified with new trade regulations were passed for both the Sheet Metal Worker and Sprinkler System Installer trades.  The Premier made the announcement on May 23 in Antigonish regarding the Sheet Metal Worker trade.

Regarding the SMW trade, the Industry Committee conducted a thorough consultation in 2012 with an 88% agreement that the trade needed to be compulsory.   We will be informing industry through a mail out next week and I have attached both letters for your information. Please feel free to share this information.

The SMW trade has a new regulation.  The following are some highlights of the regulation:

  • •      provide updated standardized language, and eliminate duplication with the language of the General Regulations;
  • •      create a new definition of the trade that provides clarity to the work performed by Sheet Metal Workers and specify that a certificate to practice in the trade is a minimal requirement for practice. (Such trades are referred to as “compulsory certified trades”);
  • •      state that the trade is a compulsory certified trade;
  • •      provide for circumstances in which a person other than a sheet metal worker may perform work which is within the scope of the sheet metal worker trade;
  • •      require payment of wages to a sheet metal worker apprentice at no less than the minimum wage;
  • •      include a transitional clause recognizing as apprentices persons who were apprentices under the previous trade regulations;
  • •      amend the term of apprenticeship to 8000 hours (instead of years) and to define those hours as consisting of both on the job learning and technical training. This is only a difference in reporting, not in training time;
  • •      ensure that the regulations are current with industry practice and standards.

Also, as of May 20, 2014, a new regulation was passed for the Sprinkler System Installer trade.  The following are some highlights of the regulation:

  • •      provide updated standardized language, and eliminate duplication with the language of the General Regulations;
  • •      create a new definition of the trade and specify that a certificate to practice in the trade is a minimal requirement for practice. (Such trades are referred to as “compulsory certified trades”);
  • •      provide for circumstances in which a person other than a sprinkler system installer may perform work which is within the scope of the sprinkler system installer trade;
  • •      require payment of wages to a sprinkler system installer apprentice at no less than the minimum wage;
  • •      provide for the issuance of a certificate through trade qualification based on a designated number of hours of employment in the trade rather than years of practical experience or years plus completion of a vocational training course, as previously required;
  • •      include a transitional clause recognizing as apprentices persons who were apprentices under the previous trade regulations;
  • •      amend the term of apprenticeship to 8000 hours (instead of years) and to define those hours as consisting of both on the job learning and technical training. This is only a difference in reporting, not in training time.

The new regulations have not been posted on the Department of Justice website yet. 

When they are the address is: http://www.novascotia.ca/just/regulations/rxaa-l.htm#atq.