When New Brunswick Community College (NBCC) graduates cross the stage this month, the academic leaders looking on with pride will represent a variety of career backgrounds. This year, for the first time, more of the College’s academic leadership will be wearing a symbol of their expertise.
NBCC has designed a unique hood for those members of its academic leadership who have achieved Red Seal certification. Traditionally, the hoods worn at post-secondary graduations have been reserved only for those who have received advance degrees; the new hood recognizes the thousands of hours of work, years of progressive training and mastery, and formally assessed skills and competencies that are required for the Red Seal designation.
“As the province’s largest provider of skilled trades training, NBCC’s faculty includes subject matter experts who have devoted their careers to mastery of their trades,” said Mary Butler, President and CEO of NBCC. “The dedication required to achieve Red Seal certification is equal to that required to obtain a Master’s degree, and we want to recognize that commitment to excellence with our Red Seal hood, believed to be a first in Canada. I personally believe this recognition is long overdue and worthy of celebration.”
The Red Seal certification is the gold standard of skilled trades expertise, recognized by each province and the federal government for designated occupations. Red Seal certifications in trades like carpentry, electrical, plumbing, and automotive service technician require completion of four levels of training, each followed by an exam, and 7,200 hours of on-the-job experience under the supervision of a Red Seal tradesperson. There is also an extensive list of competencies that must be mastered.
“NBCC’s trades faculty are highly-skilled professionals who have achieved excellence in their chosen fields,” said Kirby Rushton, Dean of Trades and Apprenticeship. “That they have chosen to pass their expertise and experience on to a new generation of skilled tradespeople is admirable and worthy of recognition.”
