Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the skilled trades: Canada Emergency Response Benefit
by Sophia Su and Hyeongsuk Jin
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Introduction
Since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, several unprecedented government interventions related to COVID-19—including the closure of non-essential businesses, travel restrictions and public health measures limiting public interactions—have been put in place. These measures, implemented by public health officials across Canada, had a clear impact on the Canadian labour market, as businesses and institutions in a variety of industries announced layoffs, reduced employment hours and halted many on-the-job opportunities.
In response, to support Canadians facing the labour market impact of the COVID-19 economic shutdown, the Government of Canada introduced a temporary benefit, the Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB). The CERB paid $500 a week to those who made at least $5,000 in the preceding 12 months and whose income was drastically reduced because of the pandemic. It was a temporary program introduced on March 15, 2020, and was replaced by Employment Insurance and other recovery benefits on September 27 of the same year.
The COVID-19 pandemic had large impacts on many of those in the skilled trades, as these jobs often require hands-on and close-proximity interactions. However, journeypersons in different trades had different impacts. Some sectors deemed non-essential services were hit harder than sectors deemed essential services. In addition, geographic variations in easing and reinstating restrictions over time affected journeypersons and apprentices across regions differently. Using data from the Education and Labour Market Longitudinal Platform (see note to readers for details), this study examines the proportion of journeypersons who received the CERB among those who certified between 2008 and 2019.Note By examining the proportions across trades, geography and population groups, this study can provide further insight into how the early months of the pandemic affected those in the skilled trades and the differing impacts across trades and groups.
Over half of certified female journeypersons received the CERB at least once
Data table for Chart 1
| Received the CERB at least once (left axis) | Received the benefit for 15 or more weeks (left axis) | Average weeks of receipt for CERB recipients (right axis) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| percent | weeks | ||
| Both sexes | 38.4 | 16.1 | 14.0 |
| Men | 36.0 | 13.9 | 13.0 |
| Women | 55.7 | 32.7 | 17.0 |
| Sources: Registered Apprenticeship Information System, 2008 to 2019; and Canada Emergency Response Benefit administrative file. | |||
For the 28 weeks that the CERB was available, 38% of journeypersons who certified between 2008 and 2019 received the benefit at least once. In comparison, of the entire working population (workers who earned at least $5,000 in 2019), about one-third (35.2%) received the benefit. Among the general working population, the percentage of workers who received the benefit was roughly equal for men and women, 34.2% and 36.3% respectively.Note At the same time, over half (56%) of certified female journeypersons received the benefit, compared with just over one-third (36%) for male journeypersons. Not only were female journeypersons more likely to receive the benefit than male journeypersons, women also received the benefit for more weeks (17 weeks) than men (13 weeks). This suggests that in the early months of the pandemic the financial impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic were more widespread among female journeypersons than their male counterparts, and it might be related in large part to the types of trades in which male and female journeypersons certified.
Data table for Chart 2
| Men | Women | |
|---|---|---|
| percent | ||
| Hairstylist | 80.1 | 72.1 |
| Early childhood educator | 70.6 | 68.3 |
| Cook | 53.3 | 46.6 |
| Steamfitter/pipefitter | 43.4 | 47.1 |
| Carpenter | 40.7 | 38.5 |
| Automotive service technician | 38.5 | 42.6 |
| Welder | 37.9 | 43.9 |
| Construction electrician | 38.0 | 39.2 |
| Roofer | 37.8 | 36.7 |
| Plumber | 35.1 | 42.6 |
| Sources: Registered Apprenticeship Information System, 2008 to 2019; and Canada Emergency Response Benefit administrative file. | ||
The closure of non-essential businesses and institutions during this time period disproportionately impacted journeypersons employed in the food and accommodation, and personal care service (hair salons and barbershops) industries, as their ability to work remotely was limited. As a result, journeypersons certified in trades related to such industries had the highest proportion of benefit recipients. Over 70% of certified hairstylists and early childhood educators received the CERB. Considering these trades account for the majority of female journeypersons in Canada, this likely explains the higher proportion of women receiving the CERB than men.Note
While declines in employment were observed in most industries during this period, some sectors deemed essential, such as construction, oil and gas extraction, and utilities, or sectors where close contact with others was less necessary, were less impacted by the COVID-19 economic shutdown. Certified journeypersons in these industries, such as agricultural equipment technicians (7%), powerline technicians (13%) and truck and transport mechanics (18%), had the lowest CERB take-up rates for both men and women (Table A1).
The proportions of journeypersons who received the benefit were higher in Quebec and Ontario than in the rest of Canada
Although the unemployment rate rose markedly in all provinces at the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, from 5.9% in February 2020 to 13.8% in May 2020 according to the Labour Force Survey (LFS), each of the provinces and territories implemented its own measures depending on the severity of the outbreaks it faced. Varying restrictions across regions, combined with differences in industrial composition, resulted in differences in the percentage of journeypersons who received the CERB. The geographic distribution also differed between men and women.
For men, journeypersons in Quebec (43%) were most likely to receive the benefit, followed by those in Ontario (36%). Male journeypersons in Manitoba had the lowest percentage receiving the benefit. In contrast, the percentage of female journeypersons who received the benefit was the highest in Manitoba (64%), followed by those in Ontario (60%).
For both men and women, journeypersons in Ontario were more likely to receive the CERB than those in other provinces. Ontario also had the highest percentage of female journeypersons (42%) who received the benefit for 15 or more weeks (Table A2). This might be related to prolonged COVID-19 outbreaks in many regions of southwestern Ontario during the period the CERB was offered (between March and October 2020), including Toronto. Tighter measures were implemented in response, whereas the rest of Canada was faring relatively well and lifting initial restrictions.
For men, Alberta had the highest percentage of journeypersons who received the benefit for 15 or more weeks (Table A2), and this appeared to be related to the economic hardship the province was facing. According to the Labour Force Survey, Alberta recorded the largest decline in employment in 2020 among the provinces (-10% from 2019), and industries hiring many male journeypersons, such as oil and gas extraction and construction, were struggling even before the pandemic because of a decrease in oil prices.
Data table for Chart 3
| Men | Women | |
|---|---|---|
| percent | ||
| Canada | 36.0 | 55.7 |
| Atlantic region | 32.1 | 47.4 |
| Newfoundland and Labrador | 31.5 | 52.3 |
| Prince Edward Island | 31.8 | 54.3 |
| Nova Scotia | 33.7 | 46.1 |
| New Brunswick | 31.0 | 39.4 |
| Quebec | 42.8 | 51.4 |
| Ontario | 36.1 | 59.9 |
| Manitoba | 22.1 | 63.7 |
| Saskatchewan | 25.8 | 56.6 |
| Alberta | 33.1 | 54.8 |
| British Columbia | 29.8 | 45.6 |
| Territories | 24.8 | 29.0 |
| Sources: Registered Apprenticeship Information System, 2008 to 2019; and Canada Emergency Response Benefit administrative file. | ||
Almost half of Black, Chinese, Latin American and South Asian journeypersons received the CERB at least once
The declines in economic activity caused by the COVID-19 pandemic disproportionately affected many vulnerable Canadians, including youth, visible minorities and lower-wage workers (Statistics Canada, 2020b). The differences were also observed among certified journeypersons. Compared with the journeypersons who were not designated as a visible minority (37%), the percentage of journeypersons in groups designated as visible minorities who received the benefit was higher. Close to half of Black (48%), Chinese (48%), Latin American (47%) and South Asian (47%) journeypersons received the benefit.Note Journeypersons in groups designated as visible minorities also received the benefit for more weeks. On average, non-visible-minority journeypersons received the benefit for 13 weeks. Black (16 weeks), Chinese (17 weeks) and South Asian (16 weeks) journeypersons received the benefit for 3 to 4 weeks longer, on average.
This was observed for both men and women, but the difference was more pronounced among female journeypersons. Of female journeypersons who were not a visible minority, 53% received the benefit at least once, compared to more than two in three Latin American (68%) and South Asian (66%) female journeypersons. In terms of the duration, on average, Black and South Asian female journeypersons received the benefit for more weeks (both 19 weeks) than non-visible-minority female journeypersons (16 weeks).
Proportions of population groups who received the CERB varied between trades
Although almost half of Black, Chinese, Latin American and South Asian journeypersons received the CERB at least once, the levels of CERB take up varied between trades. Chart 4 and Chart 5 illustrate the estimates for the three trades with the largest differences in CERB take-up rates across population groups, for men and women, respectively.Note
Black (66%), South Asian (61%), Filipino (56%) and Latin American (56%) male steamfitters/pipefitters had the highest proportion of CERB take up, with a more than 20-percentage-point difference for some of these groups compared with their non-visible-minority counterparts (41%) (Chart 4). In contrast, compared with non-visible-minority male journeypersons in the same trade, there were no significant differences in the proportion of Latin American construction electricians and automotive service technicians who received the benefit.
Data table for Chart 4
| Not a visible minority | South Asian | Chinese | Black | Filipino | Latin American | All other designated groups | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| percent | |||||||
| Construction electrician | 36.6 | 47.9Note ** | 49.7Note ** | 47.3Note ** | 36.8 | 52.1Note ** | 52.6Note ** |
| Automotive service technician | 34.4 | 53.5Note ** | 46.9Note ** | 51.7Note ** | 38.0 | 30.7 | 55.0Note ** |
| Steamfitter/pipefitter | 41.0 | 61.2Note ** | 44.6 | 66.1Note ** | 56.0Note ** | 56.3 | 53.1Note * |
|
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In general, more visible-minority female journeypersons received the benefit than non-visible-minority women, but the percentage varied across population groups and trades. Among certified female hairstylists, the trade with the largest number of female journeypersons, more than two in three (72%) non-visible-minority women received the benefit (Chart 5). While there were no significant differences in the percentages for South Asian and Chinese female hairstylists, Filipino female hairstylists were more likely to receive the benefit (84%).
Among female estheticians, almost all Chinese (96%) and South Asian (97%) estheticians received the benefit, compared with two-thirds of non-visible-minority female journeypersons (65%) in the trade. The percentage was lower for Latin American female estheticians (53%), and the difference was not statistically significant from non-visible-minority female estheticians.
Data table for Chart 5
| Not a visible minority | South Asian | Chinese | Black | Filipino | Latin American | All other designated groups | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| percent | |||||||
| Hairstylist | 71.9 | 73.8 | 74.9 | 78.3Note * | 83.9Note ** | 81.1Note * | 80.6Note ** |
| Early childhood educator | 65.8 | 71.0 | 69.0 | 57.6 | 86.3Note * | 76.4 | 75.0Note * |
| Esthetician | 64.9 | 97.5Note ** | 96.3Note * | 85.7 | 52.9 | 84.6Note ** | |
|
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Conclusion
The implementation of COVID-19-related health measures, such as province-wide lockdowns and the closure of non-essential businesses, had clear impacts on the Canadian labour market. Those in the skilled trades also felt the impact of the pandemic measures. From this study on journeypersons, it is becoming evident that some groups among the Canadian population were disproportionately affected, in particular, women, visible minorities and people working in public-facing industries.
Between sexes, a higher percentage of female journeypersons received the CERB, and female journeypersons also received a higher average number weeks of benefit payments, compared with their male counterparts. A likely explanation for these differences lies in the trades in which men and women certify, as female journeypersons are concentrated in public-facing occupations such as hairstylists, estheticians and early childhood educators, were more likely to be closed during the lockdown.
As well, differences in CERB take-up rates were evident when comparing visible minority population groups (Black, South Asian, Chinese, Filipino and Latin American) with non-visible-minority journeypersons, by sex and trade. Generally, non-visible-minority journeypersons were less likely to receive the CERB, compared with journeypersons in groups designated as visible minorities.
As provinces continue to gradually reopen their economies, it will be important to follow the labour market conditions faced by journeypersons and continuing apprentices.
Start of text boxThe percentage of journeypersons receiving the CERB appears to correlate with labour market experience
Generally, journeypersons who certified more recently had higher CERB take-up rates than those in older cohorts. For example, fewer journeypersons who certified in 2008 received the CERB compared with those who certified in 2019. There are relatively steady increases in the percentage across cohorts, especially for men (Chart A1). This finding is in line with the analysis of the general working population, which found that younger workers were more likely to receive the CERB than older workers (Morissette et al. 2021).
Data table for Chart A1
| Year of certification | Men | Women |
|---|---|---|
| percent | ||
| 2008 | 30.8 | 52.3 |
| 2009 | 32.1 | 52.7 |
| 2010 | 31.8 | 53.0 |
| 2011 | 32.8 | 50.8 |
| 2012 | 34.3 | 49.4 |
| 2013 | 35.2 | 47.2 |
| 2014 | 36.8 | 51.1 |
| 2015 | 37.4 | 57.1 |
| 2016 | 37.9 | 58.7 |
| 2017 | 38.8 | 61.4 |
| 2018 | 41.4 | 65.5 |
| 2019 | 41.3 | 65.7 |
| Sources: Registered Apprenticeship Information System, 2008 to 2019; and Canada Emergency Response Benefit administrative file. | ||
A similar relationship is also observed when comparing registered apprentices who were continuing their training at the end of 2019 with journeypersons certified in or before 2019. Of the apprentices who registered in 2016 or later and who were continuing their training at the end of 2019, 49% (47% of men and 61% of women) received the CERB (Chart A2). This is about 11 percentage points higher (11 percentage points for men and 5 percentage points for women) than the proportion of certified journeypersons who received the CERB (Chart 1). Since registered apprentices are required to work with journeypersons for their on-the-job training, they were more likely to be affected by the reduction of hours or layoffs. In addition, their in-class training was also very likely to be disrupted because of the temporary closure of educational institutions across Canada.
Data table for Chart A2
| Received the CERB at least once (left axis) | Average weeks of receipt for CERB recipients (right axis) | |
|---|---|---|
| percent | ||
| Both sexes | 49.0 | 15.0 |
| Men | 47.3 | 14.0 |
| Women | 61.1 | 17.0 |
| Sources: Registered Apprenticeship Information System, 2008 to 2019; and Canada Emergency Response Benefit administrative file. | ||
Note to readers
This study used data from the Education and Labour Market Longitudinal Platform (ELMLP). The ELMLP at Statistics Canada was developed to allow for the combination of anonymized information from the Registered Apprenticeship Information System (RAIS) and the Postsecondary Student Information System, with anonymized information from other administrative datasets.
The RAIS provides information on individuals who register for training and those who obtain certification within a trade where apprenticeship training is offered. For this study, the records of journeypersons who certified between 2008 and 2019 were used. As of writing this article, in June 2021, records for 2020 are being collected and processed. Although the majority of journeypersons had only one certification record, it is not uncommon for a person to receive multiple certificates across trades or jurisdictions. In this study, only the most recent certification record of an individual is considered. If the journeyperson received multiple certificates on the same day, one of them was randomly chosen.
The records of the RAIS are integrated with the administrative file of the Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB), which contains records of CERB payments in 2020 to determine whether a journeyperson had received the benefit. Note that the CERB program does not collect information on applicants’ occupation, and the trade and geography information used in this study is from the certification records in the RAIS. Therefore, it is possible that the journeypersons were not working in the trade they certified in.
For the analysis of journeypersons in groups designated as visible minorities in the second half of the paper, the RAIS–CERB sample is integrated further with the 2016 Census of Population. Because the RAIS does not contain information on an individual’s population group, the response in the 2016 Census is used to designate some journeypersons as belonging to groups designated as visible minorities.Note For a variety of reasons, it is possible that the response in the 2016 Census did not capture the accurate population group the person belongs to in 2020. For more information, see the census definition of visible minority of person.Note Approximately 25% of journeypersons in the RAIS responded to the long-form census that includes population group questions, and those records were weighted in analysis.
Definitions
Journeypersons are those individuals who passed the qualification exam and received their certificate of qualification from the apprenticeship authority.
The Employment Equity Act defines visible minorities (visible minority persons) as, “persons, other than Aboriginal peoples, who are non-Caucasian in race or non-white in colour.” The 2016 Census of Population contained population group questions to derive counts for visible minority populations. Statistics Canada designates some population groups as visible minorities. Although the 2016 Census enumerated 12 visible minority groups, the largest 5 groups (South Asian, Chinese, Black, Filipino and Latin American) are used for separate population group analysis, and people belonging to other groups are aggregated into “all other designated groups.” Because of the nature of the aggregation, individuals in the same population groups have diverse backgrounds, including different immigration statuses, places of birth, and cultural or ethnic origins.
References
Government of Canada. Canada Emergency Response Benefit. http://www.canada.ca/en/services/benefits/ei/cerb-application.html.
René Morissette, Martin Turcotte, André Bernard and Eric Olson. 2021. "Workers receiving payments from the Canada Emergency Response Benefit program in 2020." StatCan COVID-19: Data to Insights for a Better Canada.
Statistics Canada. 2020a. "New registrations in apprenticeship programs in Canada fells sharply in 2019, led by shart declines in Alberta." The Daily.
— 2020b. "The Social and Economic Impacts of COVID-19: A Six-month Update." https://www150.statcan.gc.ca/n1/pub/11-631-x/11-631-x2020004-eng.htm.
Appendix
| Men | Women | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Journeypersons | Received the CERB at least once | Received the CERB for 15 weeks or more | Average number of weeks receiving the CERB | Journeypersons | Received the CERB at least once | Received the CERB for 15 weeks or more | Average number of weeks receiving the CERB | |
| persons | percent | weeks | persons | percent | weeks | |||
| All trades | 504,160 | 36 | 13.9 | 13 | 69,240 | 55.7 | 32.7 | 17 |
| All Red Seal trades | 382,790 | 36 | 14.4 | 14 | 41,680 | 61.2 | 38.1 | 17 |
| Selected Red Seal trades | 328,660 | 35.4 | 14.2 | 14 | 38,370 | 63 | 39.6 | 17 |
| Construction electrician | 69,300 | 38 | 15.8 | 14 | 1,750 | 39.2 | 19.7 | 15 |
| Carpenter | 47,760 | 40.7 | 11 | 11 | 670 | 38.5 | 19 | 15 |
| Automotive service technician | 27,000 | 38.5 | 15.3 | 14 | 500 | 42.6 | 21.4 | 15 |
| Hairstylist | 3,680 | 80.1 | 58 | 18 | 27,180 | 72.1 | 46.8 | 17 |
| Welder | 21,560 | 37.9 | 19.6 | 15 | 1,130 | 43.9 | 23.6 | 16 |
| Steamfitter/ pipefitter |
17,440 | 43.4 | 19.3 | 14 | 350 | 47.1 | 28 | 16 |
| Plumber | 20,860 | 35.1 | 14.4 | 14 | 310 | 42.6 | 21.9 | 16 |
| Cook | 9,220 | 53.3 | 33.2 | 17 | 3,900 | 46.6 | 29.8 | 17 |
| Heavy duty equipment technician | 14,570 | 17.8 | 7.9 | 14 | 120 | 25 | 12.5 | 14 |
| Industrial mechanic (millwright) | 18,140 | 21 | 7.1 | 13 | 240 | 23.3 | 12.1 | 15 |
| Truck and transport mechanic | 11,900 | 17.6 | 7.8 | 14 | 120 | 30 | 11.7 | 13 |
| Industrial electrician | 8,640 | 23.1 | 7.4 | 12 | 160 | 25.6 | 11.3 | 13 |
| Sheet metal worker | 8,240 | 42.2 | 13.7 | 12 | 120 | 38.3 | 15 | 14 |
| Refrigeration and air conditioning mechanic | 7,880 | 32.7 | 8.1 | 12 | 60 | 38.3 | 13.3 | 12 |
| Ironworker | 3,520 | 39.9 | 16.8 | 14 | 50 | 56 | 24 | 15 |
| Machinist | 4,690 | 24 | 9.7 | 13 | 130 | 27.7 | 10 | 13 |
| Roofer | 4,370 | 37.8 | 11.3 | 12 | 30 | 36.7 | 13.3 | 14 |
| Industrial instrumentation and control technician | 5,060 | 18.6 | 9.8 | 15 | 210 | 20 | 12.9 | 19 |
| Bricklayer | 4,230 | 39.7 | 10.4 | 11 | 20 | 50 | 10 | 12 |
| Powerline technician | 5,930 | 13.1 | 5.5 | 14 | 40 | 15 | 5 | 12 |
| Painter and decorator | 3,390 | 46.8 | 17.6 | 13 | 520 | 46 | 15.2 | 12 |
| Crane operator | 4,920 | 36 | 13.9 | 13 | 90 | 48.9 | 26.7 | 15 |
| Landscape horticulturist | 1,740 | 26 | 6.8 | 12 | 560 | 24.1 | 6.6 | 12 |
| Agricultural equipment technician | 1,420 | 7.1 | 2 | 11 | .. | Note ..: not available for a specific reference period | Note ..: not available for a specific reference period | Note ..: not available for a specific reference period |
| Auto body repairer | 3,220 | 34.2 | 18.4 | 16 | 70 | 35.7 | 17.1 | 15 |
| Other Red Seal trades | 54,130 | 40 | 15.5 | 13 | 3,310 | 40.5 | 20.7 | 15 |
| All non-Red Seal trades | 121,370 | 36 | 12.2 | 13 | 27,560 | 47.2 | 24.5 | 16 |
| Selected non-Red Seal trades | 570 | 58.1 | 27 | 16 | 6,870 | 65.7 | 31.6 | 15 |
| Child and youth worker | 90 | 47.8 | 8.9 | 12 | 390 | 64.4 | 17.9 | 13 |
| Developmental services worker | 140 | 27.1 | 12.1 | 15 | 570 | 26.7 | 12.3 | 15 |
| Early childhood educator | 180 | 70.6 | 38.3 | 16 | 3,830 | 68.3 | 34.8 | 15 |
| Educational assistant | 60 | 75 | 20 | 13 | 600 | 71.8 | 14.5 | 12 |
| Esthetician | 100 | 78 | 48 | 18 | 1,470 | 72.4 | 41.4 | 17 |
| Other non-Red Seal trades | 120,810 | 35.9 | 12.1 | 13 | 20,690 | 41.1 | 22.2 | 16 |
|
.. not available for a specific reference period Note. To protect confidentiality and ensure reliability of estimates, all counts are rounded. Sources: Registered Apprenticeship Information System, 2008 to 2019; and Canada Emergency Response Benefit administrative file. |
||||||||
| Men | Women | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Journeypersons | Received the CERB at least once | Received the CERB for 15 weeks or more | Average number of weeks receiving the CERB | Journeypersons | Received the CERB at least once | Received the CERB for 15 weeks or more | Average number of weeks receiving the CERB | |
| persons | percent | weeks | persons | percent | weeks | |||
| All trades | ||||||||
| Canada | 504,160 | 36 | 13.9 | 13 | 69,240 | 55.7 | 32.7 | 17 |
| Atlantic region | 29,380 | 32.1 | 14.8 | 15 | 1,330 | 47.4 | 26.5 | 16 |
| Newfoundland and Labrador | 7,240 | 31.5 | 16.3 | 15 | 480 | 52.3 | 31.5 | 16 |
| Prince Edward Island | 1,760 | 31.8 | 11.9 | 13 | 140 | 54.3 | 26.4 | 15 |
| Nova Scotia | 9,550 | 33.7 | 15.8 | 15 | 360 | 46.1 | 25.3 | 16 |
| New Brunswick | 10,830 | 31 | 13.4 | 14 | 350 | 39.4 | 21.1 | 17 |
| Quebec | 166,950 | 42.8 | 11.4 | 11 | 17,750 | 51.4 | 25.7 | 15 |
| Ontario | 122,370 | 36.1 | 15.6 | 14 | 28,270 | 59.9 | 41.5 | 18 |
| Manitoba | 12,730 | 22.1 | 9.3 | 14 | 3,200 | 63.7 | 30.9 | 16 |
| Saskatchewan | 16,310 | 25.8 | 11.4 | 14 | 2,630 | 56.6 | 23.5 | 15 |
| Alberta | 93,460 | 33.1 | 17.3 | 15 | 10,930 | 54.8 | 28 | 16 |
| British Columbia | 61,640 | 29.8 | 13 | 14 | 5,020 | 45.6 | 26.1 | 17 |
| Territories | 1,320 | 24.8 | 10.9 | 14 | 100 | 29 | 16 | 16 |
| All Red Seal trades | ||||||||
| Canada | 382,790 | 36 | 14.4 | 14 | 41,680 | 61.2 | 38.1 | 17 |
| Atlantic region | 27,500 | 32.7 | 15.1 | 14 | 1,280 | 48.1 | 27 | 16 |
| Newfoundland and Labrador | 6,900 | 32 | 16.6 | 15 | 470 | 53 | 31.7 | 16 |
| Prince Edward Island | 1,680 | 32.1 | 11.9 | 13 | 130 | 55.4 | 26.9 | 15 |
| Nova Scotia | 8,820 | 33.9 | 15.9 | 15 | 350 | 46 | 25.4 | 16 |
| New Brunswick | 10,110 | 32.1 | 13.8 | 14 | 330 | 40.6 | 21.8 | 16 |
| Quebec | 83,310 | 46.9 | 12 | 11 | 5,220 | 62.7 | 31.1 | 15 |
| Ontario | 105,540 | 37.4 | 16.1 | 14 | 17,150 | 69 | 53.4 | 18 |
| Manitoba | 11,790 | 22.4 | 9.2 | 13 | 2,030 | 62.1 | 25.9 | 15 |
| Saskatchewan | 15,590 | 25.3 | 11 | 14 | 2,360 | 57.2 | 23 | 15 |
| Alberta | 86,360 | 33.4 | 17.3 | 15 | 10,770 | 55.2 | 28.2 | 16 |
| British Columbia | 51,460 | 28.6 | 11.9 | 14 | 2,780 | 43.4 | 22.6 | 16 |
| Territories | 1,240 | 24.8 | 10.8 | 14 | 100 | 29 | 16 | 16 |
|
Note. To protect confidentiality and ensure reliability of estimates, all counts are rounded. Due to rounding, sum of regions may be different from the total. Sources: Registered Apprenticeship Information System, 2008 to 2019; and Canada Emergency Response Benefit administrative file. |
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| Not a visible minority | South Asian | Chinese | Black | Filipino | Latin American | All other designated groups | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| All trades | 34.7 | 42.8Note ** | 45.8Note ** | 43.2Note ** | 38.7Note ** | 43.2Note ** | 48Note ** |
| All Red Seal trades | 34.6 | 43.3Note ** | 46.9Note ** | 43.8Note ** | 38.3Note ** | 41.1Note ** | 49.2Note ** |
| Selected Red Seal trades | 33.8 | 43.9Note ** | 47.4Note ** | 42.5Note ** | 38.4Note ** | 41.2Note ** | 49.4Note ** |
| Construction electrician | 36.6 | 47.9Note ** | 49.7Note ** | 47.3Note ** | 36.8 | 52.1Note ** | 52.6Note ** |
| Carpenter | 40.2 | 7.1Note ** | 42.7 | 56.1Note * | 28.3 | 44 | 34.5 |
| Automotive service technician | 34.4 | 53.5Note ** | 46.9Note ** | 51.7Note ** | 38 | 30.7 | 55Note ** |
| Hairstylist | 80.5 | 76.3 | 88.8Note * | 98.1Note * | 94.2Note * | 73.1 | 87.7Note * |
| Welder | 36.9 | 48.2Note * | 64.4Note ** | 51.3Note * | 41.7 | 36.3 | 48.2Note ** |
| Steamfitter/pipefitter | 41 | 61.2Note ** | 44.6 | 66.1Note ** | 56Note ** | 56.3 | 53.1Note * |
| Plumber | 33.2 | 48Note ** | 58.5Note ** | 40.6 | 43.8 | 33 | 49.5Note ** |
| Cook | 52.8 | 55 | 61 | 43.4 | 64.7Note * | 55.2 | 59.5 |
| Heavy duty equipment technician | 17.7 | 13.7 | 25.4 | 22.3 | 17.9 | 17.7 | 26.8 |
| Industrial mechanic (millwright) | 20 | 20.9 | 26.7 | 21.6 | 14.9 | 37 | 26.7 |
| Truck and transport mechanic | 15.3 | 32.4Note ** | 28.6 | 12 | 10.4 | 5.5Note * | 15.2 |
| Industrial electrician | 18.9 | 28.7Note ** | 43.4Note ** | 17.9 | 29.9 | 26.4 | 30.8Note ** |
| Sheet metal worker | 41.5 | 18.7 | 28.9 | 32.5 | 39.8 | 40.4 | 30.6 |
| Refrigeration and air conditioning mechanic | 33.1 | 48.5Note * | 31.7 | 42.7 | 37.9 | 33.6 | 46.3Note * |
| Ironworker | 39 | 67.3 | Note x: suppressed to meet the confidentiality requirements of the Statistics Act | 25.3 | Note x: suppressed to meet the confidentiality requirements of the Statistics Act | 12.6Note ** | 71.8Note * |
| Machinist | 24.5 | 20.2 | 31.4 | 0Note ** | 41.5 | 28.6 | 28.3 |
| Roofer | 36.7 | Note x: suppressed to meet the confidentiality requirements of the Statistics Act | 77.3Note ** | 71.9 | Note x: suppressed to meet the confidentiality requirements of the Statistics Act | 44.4 | 16.8 |
| Industrial instrumentation and control technician | 16.1 | 35.1Note ** | 34.7Note ** | 30.7 | 24.4 | 0Note ** | 7.9 |
| Bricklayer | 39.9 | Note x: suppressed to meet the confidentiality requirements of the Statistics Act | Note ..: not available for a specific reference period | 91Note ** | Note x: suppressed to meet the confidentiality requirements of the Statistics Act | 44.5 | 22.2 |
| Powerline technician | 12.4 | 57.7Note ** | Note ..: not available for a specific reference period | 14 | 37.4Note ** | Note x: suppressed to meet the confidentiality requirements of the Statistics Act | 0Note ** |
| Painter and decorator | 44.6 | Note x: suppressed to meet the confidentiality requirements of the Statistics Act | 0Note ** | 55.3 | Note x: suppressed to meet the confidentiality requirements of the Statistics Act | 48.9 | 53.8 |
| Crane operator | 37.2 | 40.7 | Note ..: not available for a specific reference period | 16.7 | Note x: suppressed to meet the confidentiality requirements of the Statistics Act | Note x: suppressed to meet the confidentiality requirements of the Statistics Act | 17.9 |
| Landscape horticulturist | 27.4 | xNote ** | 40.8 | Note x: suppressed to meet the confidentiality requirements of the Statistics Act | Note ..: not available for a specific reference period | 24.9 | 12.8 |
| Agricultural equipment technician | 6.5 | Note ..: not available for a specific reference period | Note ..: not available for a specific reference period | Note x: suppressed to meet the confidentiality requirements of the Statistics Act | Note x: suppressed to meet the confidentiality requirements of the Statistics Act | Note ..: not available for a specific reference period | Note x: suppressed to meet the confidentiality requirements of the Statistics Act |
| Auto body repairer | 30.1 | 52.1Note ** | 13.7Note * | 35.1 | 45.2 | 37.2 | 52.5Note ** |
| Other Red Seal trades | 39.5 | 31.6Note * | 40.1 | 51.2Note ** | 37.1 | 40.7 | 47.4Note * |
| All non-Red Seal trades | 34.8 | 39.6Note * | 40.3Note * | 41.6Note ** | 40.8 | 48.4Note ** | 44Note ** |
| Selected non-Red Seal trades | 56.6 | 69.7 | 85.6Note ** | 75.1 | Note x: suppressed to meet the confidentiality requirements of the Statistics Act | Note x: suppressed to meet the confidentiality requirements of the Statistics Act | 65.4 |
| Child and youth worker | 38.6 | Note x: suppressed to meet the confidentiality requirements of the Statistics Act | Note x: suppressed to meet the confidentiality requirements of the Statistics Act | 78.6 | Note ..: not available for a specific reference period | Note x: suppressed to meet the confidentiality requirements of the Statistics Act | Note ..: not available for a specific reference period |
| Developmental services worker | 21.4 | Note ..: not available for a specific reference period | Note x: suppressed to meet the confidentiality requirements of the Statistics Act | 55.6 | Note ..: not available for a specific reference period | Note ..: not available for a specific reference period | Note x: suppressed to meet the confidentiality requirements of the Statistics Act |
| Early childhood educator | 70.7 | 58.2 | Note x: suppressed to meet the confidentiality requirements of the Statistics Act | 86.2Note ** | Note x: suppressed to meet the confidentiality requirements of the Statistics Act | Note ..: not available for a specific reference period | 30.6Note * |
| Educational assistant | 100.1 | Note ..: not available for a specific reference period | Note ..: not available for a specific reference period | Note x: suppressed to meet the confidentiality requirements of the Statistics Act | Note ..: not available for a specific reference period | Note ..: not available for a specific reference period | Note x: suppressed to meet the confidentiality requirements of the Statistics Act |
| Esthetician | 95 | Note x: suppressed to meet the confidentiality requirements of the Statistics Act | Note x: suppressed to meet the confidentiality requirements of the Statistics Act | Note ..: not available for a specific reference period | Note ..: not available for a specific reference period | Note ..: not available for a specific reference period | 89.3 |
| Other non-Red Seal trades | 34.7 | 38.9 | 39.4 | 39.7Note * | 40.8 | 48.5Note ** | 42.7Note ** |
|
.. not available for a specific reference period x suppressed to meet the confidentiality requirements of the Statistics Act
|
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| Not a visible minority | South Asian | Chinese | Black | Filipino | Latin American | All other designated groups | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| All trades | 53.1 | 66.1Note ** | 58.7 | 62.6Note ** | 61.7Note ** | 68.4Note ** | 73.6Note ** |
| All Red Seal trades | 59.5 | 70.9Note ** | 66.2 | 71.3Note ** | 69Note * | 79.1Note ** | 76.6Note ** |
| Selected Red Seal trades | 61.5 | 71.1Note ** | 70.3Note * | 73.6Note ** | 72Note * | 80.2Note ** | 77.9Note ** |
| Construction electrician | 34.7 | Note x: suppressed to meet the confidentiality requirements of the Statistics Act | 64.2Note * | Note x: suppressed to meet the confidentiality requirements of the Statistics Act | Note x: suppressed to meet the confidentiality requirements of the Statistics Act | Note x: suppressed to meet the confidentiality requirements of the Statistics Act | 46.4 |
| Carpenter | 36.4 | Note ..: not available for a specific reference period | Note x: suppressed to meet the confidentiality requirements of the Statistics Act | Note ..: not available for a specific reference period | Note ..: not available for a specific reference period | Note ..: not available for a specific reference period | 53.6 |
| Automotive service technician | 40.5 | 46.6 | Note x: suppressed to meet the confidentiality requirements of the Statistics Act | Note x: suppressed to meet the confidentiality requirements of the Statistics Act | Note x: suppressed to meet the confidentiality requirements of the Statistics Act | Note ..: not available for a specific reference period | Note x: suppressed to meet the confidentiality requirements of the Statistics Act |
| Hairstylist | 71.9 | 73.8 | 74.9 | 78.3Note * | 83.9Note ** | 81.1Note * | 80.6Note ** |
| Welder | 40.1 | Note x: suppressed to meet the confidentiality requirements of the Statistics Act | Note x: suppressed to meet the confidentiality requirements of the Statistics Act | Note x: suppressed to meet the confidentiality requirements of the Statistics Act | Note x: suppressed to meet the confidentiality requirements of the Statistics Act | Note x: suppressed to meet the confidentiality requirements of the Statistics Act | Note x: suppressed to meet the confidentiality requirements of the Statistics Act |
| Steamfitter/pipefitter | 45.2 | Note ..: not available for a specific reference period | Note x: suppressed to meet the confidentiality requirements of the Statistics Act | Note x: suppressed to meet the confidentiality requirements of the Statistics Act | Note ..: not available for a specific reference period | Note ..: not available for a specific reference period | Note ..: not available for a specific reference period |
| Plumber | 40.5 | Note x: suppressed to meet the confidentiality requirements of the Statistics Act | Note ..: not available for a specific reference period | Note ..: not available for a specific reference period | Note x: suppressed to meet the confidentiality requirements of the Statistics Act | Note ..: not available for a specific reference period | Note ..: not available for a specific reference period |
| Cook | 46 | 53.7 | 56.3 | 44.8 | 44.5 | 61.3 | 57.4 |
| Heavy duty equipment technician | 24.7 | Note ..: not available for a specific reference period | Note ..: not available for a specific reference period | Note ..: not available for a specific reference period | Note ..: not available for a specific reference period | Note ..: not available for a specific reference period | Note ..: not available for a specific reference period |
| Industrial mechanic (millwright) | 30.6 | Note ..: not available for a specific reference period | Note x: suppressed to meet the confidentiality requirements of the Statistics Act | Note x: suppressed to meet the confidentiality requirements of the Statistics Act | Note ..: not available for a specific reference period | Note ..: not available for a specific reference period | Note ..: not available for a specific reference period |
| Truck and transport mechanic | 9 | Note ..: not available for a specific reference period | Note ..: not available for a specific reference period | Note x: suppressed to meet the confidentiality requirements of the Statistics Act | Note ..: not available for a specific reference period | Note ..: not available for a specific reference period | Note ..: not available for a specific reference period |
| Industrial electrician | 36.5 | Note x: suppressed to meet the confidentiality requirements of the Statistics Act | Note x: suppressed to meet the confidentiality requirements of the Statistics Act | Note ..: not available for a specific reference period | Note x: suppressed to meet the confidentiality requirements of the Statistics Act | Note ..: not available for a specific reference period | Note ..: not available for a specific reference period |
| Sheet metal worker | 25.1 | Note ..: not available for a specific reference period | Note ..: not available for a specific reference period | Note ..: not available for a specific reference period | Note ..: not available for a specific reference period | Note ..: not available for a specific reference period | Note ..: not available for a specific reference period |
| Refrigeration and air conditioning mechanic | 35.5 | Note x: suppressed to meet the confidentiality requirements of the Statistics Act | Note ..: not available for a specific reference period | Note x: suppressed to meet the confidentiality requirements of the Statistics Act | Note ..: not available for a specific reference period | Note ..: not available for a specific reference period | Note ..: not available for a specific reference period |
| Ironworker | 36.6 | Note ..: not available for a specific reference period | Note ..: not available for a specific reference period | Note ..: not available for a specific reference period | Note ..: not available for a specific reference period | Note ..: not available for a specific reference period | Note ..: not available for a specific reference period |
| Machinist | 27.5 | Note ..: not available for a specific reference period | Note ..: not available for a specific reference period | Note ..: not available for a specific reference period | Note x: suppressed to meet the confidentiality requirements of the Statistics Act | Note ..: not available for a specific reference period | Note ..: not available for a specific reference period |
| Roofer | 28.1 | Note ..: not available for a specific reference period | Note ..: not available for a specific reference period | Note ..: not available for a specific reference period | Note ..: not available for a specific reference period | Note ..: not available for a specific reference period | Note ..: not available for a specific reference period |
| Industrial instrumentation and control technician | 18.4 | Note ..: not available for a specific reference period | Note x: suppressed to meet the confidentiality requirements of the Statistics Act | Note ..: not available for a specific reference period | Note ..: not available for a specific reference period | Note ..: not available for a specific reference period | Note x: suppressed to meet the confidentiality requirements of the Statistics Act |
| Bricklayer | 38.7 | Note ..: not available for a specific reference period | Note ..: not available for a specific reference period | Note ..: not available for a specific reference period | Note ..: not available for a specific reference period | Note ..: not available for a specific reference period | Note ..: not available for a specific reference period |
| Powerline technician | 29 | Note ..: not available for a specific reference period | Note ..: not available for a specific reference period | Note ..: not available for a specific reference period | Note ..: not available for a specific reference period | Note ..: not available for a specific reference period | Note ..: not available for a specific reference period |
| Painter and decorator | 47.2 | Note ..: not available for a specific reference period | Note x: suppressed to meet the confidentiality requirements of the Statistics Act | Note ..: not available for a specific reference period | Note x: suppressed to meet the confidentiality requirements of the Statistics Act | Note ..: not available for a specific reference period | Note ..: not available for a specific reference period |
| Crane operator | 65.6 | Note ..: not available for a specific reference period | Note ..: not available for a specific reference period | Note ..: not available for a specific reference period | Note ..: not available for a specific reference period | Note ..: not available for a specific reference period | Note ..: not available for a specific reference period |
| Landscape horticulturist | 20.5 | Note ..: not available for a specific reference period | Note x: suppressed to meet the confidentiality requirements of the Statistics Act | Note x: suppressed to meet the confidentiality requirements of the Statistics Act | Note ..: not available for a specific reference period | Note ..: not available for a specific reference period | Note x: suppressed to meet the confidentiality requirements of the Statistics Act |
| Agricultural equipment technician | Note ..: not available for a specific reference period | Note ..: not available for a specific reference period | Note ..: not available for a specific reference period | Note ..: not available for a specific reference period | Note ..: not available for a specific reference period | Note ..: not available for a specific reference period | Note ..: not available for a specific reference period |
| Auto body repairer | 52 | Note x: suppressed to meet the confidentiality requirements of the Statistics Act | Note ..: not available for a specific reference period | Note ..: not available for a specific reference period | Note x: suppressed to meet the confidentiality requirements of the Statistics Act | Note ..: not available for a specific reference period | Note ..: not available for a specific reference period |
| Other Red Seal trades | 38.8 | Note x: suppressed to meet the confidentiality requirements of the Statistics Act | 40.7 | 31 | 31.8 | Note x: suppressed to meet the confidentiality requirements of the Statistics Act | 47.8 |
| All non-Red Seal trades | 43.2 | 59.9Note ** | 50.1 | 56Note ** | 54.6Note ** | 55.3Note * | 67.3Note ** |
| Selected non-Red Seal trades | 60.9 | 75.2Note ** | 72.6 | 59.6 | 82Note ** | 76.7 | 78.2Note ** |
| Child and youth worker | 53.2 | 91.8Note ** | Note ..: not available for a specific reference period | 51.1 | Note ..: not available for a specific reference period | Note ..: not available for a specific reference period | Note x: suppressed to meet the confidentiality requirements of the Statistics Act |
| Developmental services worker | 27 | Note ..: not available for a specific reference period | Note x: suppressed to meet the confidentiality requirements of the Statistics Act | 40.8 | Note x: suppressed to meet the confidentiality requirements of the Statistics Act | Note x: suppressed to meet the confidentiality requirements of the Statistics Act | Note ..: not available for a specific reference period |
| Early childhood educator | 65.8 | 71 | 69 | 57.6 | 86.3Note * | 76.4 | 75Note * |
| Educational assistant | 72.6 | 75.9Note ** | Note x: suppressed to meet the confidentiality requirements of the Statistics Act | 93.9Note ** | Note x: suppressed to meet the confidentiality requirements of the Statistics Act | Note x: suppressed to meet the confidentiality requirements of the Statistics Act | 88.7 |
| Esthetician | 64.9 | 97.5Note ** | 96.3Note * | Note x: suppressed to meet the confidentiality requirements of the Statistics Act | 85.7 | 52.9 | 84.6Note ** |
| Other non-Red Seal trades | 38.6 | 37 | 40.3 | 53Note ** | 38.8 | 46.2 | 42.9 |
|
.. not available for a specific reference period x suppressed to meet the confidentiality requirements of the Statistics Act
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