Ok for months and months I have searched these talk forums and web pages for answers and information on converting my uk electrician grades to Canadian standards and they have been absolutely of no use to me, with just lots of people posting different information which has been of no use.

I have recently just passed my red seal exam for construction electrician and will now share exactly what the process is, to help you guys like myself had questions which I never got the answer.

What you need to do.
- if your a fully qualified electrician in UK, you need to register with the governing body, which for myself in BC was ITA
- you need to have hours out here to qualify to challenge the exam and as you were trained out of Canada it's 9000 minimum.
- you need all your certificates as I had some hell of a problem trying to convince them I was an electrician and nearly lost the lot cos they are ruthless, so fight for your future if you have any problems.
- to register it cost me 120 bucks and that enables you to challenge the exam twice, that's if you fail the first time like I did.
- the exam is the inter-provincial red seal challenge exam. Or IP
- it multiple choice, 100 questions, 4 hours, pass mark 70% and not on computer you pencil in the box.
- tools I strongly recommend- Canadian electrical code 22 edition 2012 book,
The practice tool exam cd/ download this is well worth it and it much harder than the actual exam ( I only passed it once when I used it ), and don't think that you can memorize the questions as they are much different on the exam and you will really drop a bollock if you do, it's to help you use the code book and it is good and works. It also tells you what you got wrong and where to find it in the book.
- things to look for extra information that's not on the practice cd is VFDs I had lots of questions on these.
- when you get the book learn where the sections are and what type of information is in them, use the index it's key.
- if your new to Canada I really suggest you learn the terminology for things as it was a fair transition for me, ie maretts/ wire nuts just stuff like that.
- don't panic if its not going in straight away like I say I only passed the practice exam once before my test and I found the exam a lot easier. I spent a month revising using these tools and it is stressful but it's worth it.

I hope that this was useful to you and if you have any questions just message me and I'll let you know what I did.

Good luck guys and girls

Hey there

Thanks so much for this info! My husband is about to send his docs off to ITA BC to challenge the red seal as a construction electrician too, this is invaluable info. We have also searched and had conflicting advice (including advice directly from ITA BC!), so this will make things easier for us, thanks.

Have you applied for Skilled Trades yet?

Sinead

It's a forum.....! You want a definitive answer, you have to contact a professional. You get what you pay for after all.

Having said that, and in defence of those that have also kindly taken the time to post their experiences, there are lots of other threads with the same info on.

I'm not criticising, Christmasoompa! We've also found some very valuable info, particularly on this site, which is why I use the forums so much. I am aware that I can seek professional advice if I want a definitive answer, I can also have conversations to thank people who have helped me out!

That wasn't aimed at you, it was for the OP (I quoted him), I know you haven't criticised. But the OP certainly did, which was a bit bamboozling.

I'm just saying the process that gained my qualifications to which I never got a straight answer on here!! So I'm using this forum as it should be used to give people the processes and procedures involved for them to be successful. I'm sure mr christmasoopma that you have the best intentions but living proof is better than shots in the dark with a hint of pessimism, to which I find a lot

Hi Sinead,
Are you talking about the web site??

Very helpful, my hubby found trying to get info from ita tricky!!!!

He has now been allowed to sit his red seal but wants to work all be it as a 4th year apprentice for a few months before sitting it so that he can get used to the terminology!

Can I ask where you are working in Vancouver? And where you found the job as he is struggling to get work

Thanks in advance

Jodie x

Hi Jodie, I find that there is a lot of work out here but I also find that it's not always advertised as much as uk. I heard that its about networking here and getting your name about, so the best advise I can give you is to go on Craigslist or indeed. I did go down the road of calling companies when I've seen there vans about and just ask them if they got anything going and that landed me a job!!!!
I would say where I'm working but don't think that world be a wise move. If you can private message me on here I can let you know of places to try.
This is how I've gone about work out here and it's worked out very well I haven't been out of work any longer than a week.
I do find that working out here is different to uk and they specialise in areas where we are more universal ie residential and commercial industries.
Any problems ill gladly help.

Hope this helps
Richard

I can't see where you've asked about it. But there are plenty of posts from other similarly helpful people, who have also given detailed info on the process. Please don't dismiss them and the time they've given to help others.

Seems to me your trying to make me look bad for saying I couldn't find or read conflicting information. I'm trying to help others that are in the same boat I was in.
I simply said that I could never find the exact answers on here I was looking for so I've posted my experience that I feel is clear for others to read and offering help given my experiences with no nonsense.
I NEVER found a straight answer to what I required and this seems the same for others.

I'm astounded at your response.

Did you look at the wiki which has direct links to the Red Seal requirements?

Did you do an advanced search on the forum - there have been literally dozens of threads and many with links that have given helpful information or directions to where it can be obtained.

When people give their time freely to try and help it is very hard to understand why you imply that you have not been able to find the answers and/or dismiss the suggestions as to how to find the answers with an attitude that comes across as somewhat disdainful.

That is not to say that your original post wasn't helpful - it was - but please don't dismiss others who have tried to assist.

Good god!!!!!

I'm not dissing anyone, again I didn't find what I was looking for.
Also not just regarding the red seal but other things regarding all my PR application lots of confliction to what actually happened with my process.
My attitude is one of being of help. I HAVE been through the whole process and just passing on what I found.

Thank you

<Mod hat off>

I didn't say "dissing" (which means disrespecting) I said dismissing - in other words, disregarding or ignoring those that gave useful advice and implying that nobody gave you any help, rather than thanking them even if you didn't agree with their input.

I appreciate you may not have found exactly what you were hoping to find but that doesn't mean the information wasn't given or hasn't been posted about in the past.

The majority of the people on the forum have already been through the process (albeit perhaps not the Red Seal part). Most of the established members have remained on the forum in the most part to pass on their experience and expertise. Additionally, we have several Immigration consultants, Immigration officers and CBSA officers amongst the members who I believe would have given you accurate information if you requested it.

Perhaps in future, look at the amount of posts a member has and see if you believe they have sufficient experience to advise you, before making judgement.

If you were doubtful about the advice given, perhaps it would have been better to pay an Immigration Consultant rather than ask on a general public forum.**

** Edited to add, after looking at your posts, I see you did use an immigration consultant and the only questions you asked were about the medical, the 120 day letter and for advice on a moving company - not once did you ask for advice on gaining PR or on how to obtain Red Seal status. If you didn't ask, how do you know you would not have received the assistance or advice you needed or wanted?

I wish you success in life in Canada, regardless.

Yes i did use a consultant so i had no problem there.
However i did read alot of posts on here which were CONFLICTING on advise, one person says one thing and one says another, i found this quite alot. So do excuse me for trying to help others and telling them of my experiences and giving advise on what i ACTUALLY found out was the correct procedure i went through.