Fast facts about Skilled Trades NB

Information about designated occupations and milestone tracking for the year ending March 31, 2025.

Overview

Skilled Trades NB continues to support a strong pipeline of skilled trades professionals. Each year, thousands of individuals enter the apprenticeship pathway, challenge certification exams or progress toward becoming fully qualified tradespeople. Tracking these milestones can help illustrate both the level of interest in skilled trades and the progress learners are making toward certification.

View the complete list of designated occupations including apprenticeship hours and Certificate of Qualification hours.

Fast facts

6,050 active apprentices

  • 93.5% male 
  • 6.5% female 
  • 1.9% Indigenous

1,667 employers with active apprentices

  • 1,473 new apprentices (2024 to 2025 fiscal year)

1,198 certificates issues

  • 542 completed apprentices
  • 656 trade qualifiers

average time to complete apprenticeship is 4 years

2,235 attended training

average age of active apprentices is 30 years

Participation and outcomes

Top ten apprenticeable occupations in New Brunswick

OccupationNumber of apprentices
Construction electrician1017
Carpenter759
Automotive service technician525
Industrial mechanic (Millwright)442
Plumber412
Truck and transport mechanic345
Refrigeration and air conditioning technician331
Welder288
Mobile joisting equipment operator181
Heavy duty equipment technician158

Red Seal exam pass rates

 National pass rateNew Brunswick pass rate
Apprentices49%73%
Trade qualifiers34%37%
Total43%60%

Contact one of our provincial apprenticeship offices (Skilled Trades NB) for more information about skilled trades.

Designated occupations

83 Designated occupations under the Apprenticeship and Occupational Certification Act

Showing 83 of 83 occupations
Occupation Type Apprenticeship Hours CQ Hours
Agricultural Equipment Technician △♦N 7,200 10,800
Appliance Service Technician ● n/a 8,100
Arborist ● n/a 5,400
Auto Body and Collision Technician △♦AN 7,200 10,800
Automotive Service Technician △◯♦AN 7,200 10,800
Automotive Service Technician (Steering, Suspension and Brakes) △◯♦ 5,400 8,100
Automotive Refinishing Technician △♦N 3,600 5,400
Baker ●♦ n/a 7,200
Blaster ● n/a n/a
Boilermaker △◯♦AN 5,400 8,100
Bricklayer △◯♦AN 5,400 8,100
Cabinetmaker △♦N 7,200 10,800
Carpenter △♦AN 7,200 10,800
Commercial Trailer Technician △ 5,400 8,100
Computerized Numerical Control Machinist △ 7,200 10,800
Concrete Finisher ●♦ n/a 5,400
Construction Electrician △◯♦AN 7,200 10,800
Construction Craft Worker △♦N 3,600 5,400
Cook △♦AN 5,400 8,100
Distribution Line Technician △ 7,200 10,800
Distribution System Operator ● n/a 5,400
Electric Motor System Technician ● n/a 10,800
Engineering Assistant ● n/a 5,400
Floorcovering Installer ●♦ n/a 5,400
Forestry Equipment Operator (Forwarder) ● n/a 4,000
Forestry Equipment Operator (Harvester) ● n/a 4,000
Gasfitter Class A △♦ 7,200 10,800
Gasfitter Class B △♦ 3,600 5,400
Glazier ●♦N n/a 7,200
Hairstylist ●♦N n/a n/a
Heat Treatment Technician ● n/a 9,000
Heavy Equipment Operator (Compaction Roller) ● n/a 900
Heavy Equipment Operator (Dozer) ●♦ n/a 3,600
Heavy Equipment Operator (Excavator) ●♦ n/a 3,600
Heavy Equipment Operator (Grader) ● n/a 3,600
Heavy Equipment Operator (Loader) ● n/a 1,800
Heavy Equipment Operator (Tractor Loader Backhoe) ●♦ n/a 3,600
Heavy Duty Equipment Technician △♦AN 7,200 10,800
Human Service Counsellor ● n/a 3,000
Industrial Electrician △♦AN 7,200 10,800
Industrial Mechanic (Millwright) △♦AN 7,200 10,800
Instrumentation and Control Technician △♦AN 7,200 10,800
Insulator (Heat and Frost) △♦AN 7,200 10,800
Ironworker (Generalist) △♦N 5,400 8,100
Ironworker (Reinforcing) △♦N 3,600 5,400
Ironworker (Structural/Ornamental) ●♦N n/a 5,400
Landscape-Horticulturist △♦N 6,000 9,000
Lather (Interior Systems Mechanic) △♦N 5,400 8,100
Locksmith ● n/a 9,000
Machinist △♦AN 7,200 10,800
Metal Fabricator (Fitter) △♦AN 5,400 8,100
Mobile Crane Operator △◯♦N 5,400 8,100
Mobile Hoisting Equipment Operator △ 1,800 2,700
Motorcycle Technician ●♦ n/a 7,200
Oil Heat System Technician △◯♦AN 5,400 8,100
Painter and Decorator ●♦ n/a 8,100
Parts Technician ●♦N n/a 7,200
Personal Support Worker ● n/a 3,000
Plumber △◯♦AN 7,200 10,800
Power Engineer (2nd Class) △ 7,200 n/a
Power Engineer (3rd Class) △ 3,600 n/a
Power Engineer (4th Class) △ 1,800 n/a
Power System Technician △ 7,200 10,800
Powerline Technician △♦AN 7,200 10,800
Recreation Vehicle Service Technician ●♦ n/a 7,200
Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Technician △◯♦AN 7,200 10,800
River Control Operator ● n/a 7,200
Roofer △♦N 5,400 8,100
Sheet Metal Worker △◯♦AN 7,200 10,800
Sprinkler Fitter △◯♦AN 7,200 10,800
Staker/Detailer ● n/a 3,600
Steamfitter-Pipefitter △◯♦AN 7,200 10,800
Switchboard Operator ● n/a n/a
Telecommunications Line Technician ● n/a 5,400
Tilesetter ●♦ n/a 9,000
Tool and Die Maker ●♦ n/a 7,200
Tower Crane Operator ●♦N n/a 3,600
Transport Refrigeration Service Technician ● n/a 8,100
Truck and Transport Mechanic △♦AN 7,200 10,800
Utility Arborist ● n/a 5,400
Water and Wastewater Operator ● n/a n/a
Water Well Driller ● n/a 4,000
Welder △♦AN 5,400 8,100
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