Governance and legislation

The Province of New Brunswick proclaimed a new Apprenticeship and Occupational Certification Act, effective July 31, 2012. 

This modernized legislation allows for greater industry involvement and enhanced decision making, more industry participation by increasing the number of industry and training representatives on the Board, more flexible and responsive regulatory provisions, quicker response time to industry requests by means of Board Orders, more decision making authority for the AOC Board, and enhanced education and compliance provisions. 

The AOC Board is the ultimate advisory body appointed by the Minister of Post-Secondary Education, Training and Labour as an independent body equally representing industry employers’ and employees’ interests. The Board has both a policy advisory and a regulatory authority role on matters of apprenticeship and certification and is responsible for certifying specific levels of competency in a number of occupations.

The Board includes a chairperson with equal representation of members representing employers and members representing employees. In addition, there are two members of the Standing Committee, three representatives from the training sector (NBCC, CCNB and the NB Association of Career Colleges), and two from government.

The Apprenticeship and Occupational Certification Standing Committee (Committee) is an advisory committee with responsibility to provide advice to the Minister of Post-Secondary Education, Training and Labour and the Apprenticeship and Occupational Certification Board (Board). The Committee provides leadership on how best to ensure the equality of the French linguistic community in matters relating to the direction, suitability, improvement and promotion of the apprenticeship and occupational certification system as a means of meeting industry’s current and emerging needs in New Brunswick.

The Committee consists of 8 members, appointed by the Minister: 6 voting members, including a Chair, and 2 non-voting members who are members of the Board.

All designated occupations are enforced under the authority of the Apprenticeship and Occupational Certification Act and Regulations by the Branch’s Education and Compliance Officer (ECO).

Examples of non-compliance include:

• working in a compulsory occupation without proper credentials
• failure to provide direct supervision to an apprentice
• failure to maintain proper ratio of journeyperson to apprentice
• working with fraudulent trade credentials

The ECO educates the public and stakeholders on the role of Apprenticeship and Occupational Certification, the importance of hiring certified journeypersons and the need for compliance with legislation. The Officer is available to meet or speak with any individual, employer or group to provide clarification of the requirements of the Act.

Fees for apprenticeship training, examinations, replacement documents, etc. are set by the Lieutenant-Governor in Council through the Fees Regulation – Apprenticeship and Occupational Certification Act. 

Please see the table below for a list of the fees for the New Brunswick Apprenticeship and Occupational Certification program.

Apprenticeship and occupational certification program fees