This document analyzes data on registered apprentices in New Brunswick from 2009 to 2017. It finds that: 1) Overall, 89.49% of tradespersons were retained in New Brunswick after graduation, decreasing to 86.70% after two years. Apprentices had higher retention rates than trade qualifiers. 2) On average, tradespersons earned $69,118 in their first year, with apprentices earning less than trade qualifiers. Incomes were higher for non-Red Seal trades compared to Red Seal trades. 3) Retention and incomes varied by trade. Construction electricians had among the highest incomes, while retention was generally higher for Red Seal endorsed certificates compared

1. Retention and Labour Market Outcomes of Registered
Apprentices in New Brunswick: 2009 to 2017
September 13, 2021 | Eton Boco

2. Becoming a Tradesperson in Canada
Tradesperson in
Canada
Certified
Trade
Qualifier/Challenger
Registered
Apprentice
Non-Certified
Non-compulsory
Trade
2

3. Red Seal Trades have standardized training and skill assessment requirements across the provinces and territories. In provinces and
territories that conduct the standardized examination, the successful candidate will have a Red Seal attached to their provincial or
territorial certificate, making them Red Seal Endorsed.
• Red Seal Trades under the Red Seal Program, e.g.
• Construction Electrician (also a compulsory trade)
• Baker
• Welder
• Plumber (also a compulsory trade)
• Non-Red Seal Trades, e.g.
• Engineering Assistant
• Locksmith
• Switchboard Operator
• Automotive Service Technician (Steering, Suspension, and Brakes) (also a compulsory trade)
Complete list of Red Seal Trades and Compulsory Trades can be found here: https://www2.gnb.ca/content/gnb/en/departments/post-
secondary_education_training_and_labour/Skills/content/ApprenticeshipAndTrades/DesignatedOccupations.html
3
Becoming a Tradesperson in Canada

4. Average retention rates for Tradespersons in NB – 2009 to 2017
Overall sample: 89.49% 86.70%
in graduation year after 2 years
Apprentices: 96.04% 93.11%
in graduation year after 2 years
Trade Qualifiers: 80.30% 77.05%
in graduation year after 2 years
Red Seal Endorsed: 94.55% 91.46%
in graduation year after 2 years
No Red Seal Endorsement: 70.25% 64.58%
in graduation year after 2 years
4
Highlight of Findings
This is compared to a 91.52% &
84.19% average retention
for NB Graduates whose
province of residence prior to
admission is reported as NB;

5. 5
More Highlights
Average Starting Income for Tradespersons in NB – 2009 to 2017
Overall sample: $69,118
Apprentices: $65,666
Trade Qualifiers: $73,816
Red Seal Trades: $68,623
Non-Red Seal Trades: $75,579
Red Seal Endorsed: $66,588
No Red Seal Endorsement: $79,148
This is compared to an average starting
income of about $32,000 for NB college
degree holders, $39,600 for NB
Undergraduate degree holders and $61,500
for NB Graduate degree holders

6. Data & Methodology
Education and Labour Market
Longitudinal Linkage Platform
(ELMLP)
•Post Secondary
Information System
(PSIS)
•Registered
Apprenticeship
Information System
(RAIS)
•T1 Family File (T1FF)
(i.e., Tax Data)

7. Retention is calculated as:
7
x-year retention rate =
Number of certificate holders who declare NB as their province of residence on Dec. 31 of a tax year
Total number of certificate holders who are tax filers in that same tax year.
Therefore, a “Retained Student” is a tax-filing graduate who still declares NB as their province of residence as at Dec 31st of
their graduation year or two years after.
Analysis is based on certificate holders who completed an income tax return (only about 4% to 8% of certificate holders do not file a return in
a given year). General tax filer counts are based on the number of NB certificate holders who filed taxes in the tax year, given their
certification dates. Provincial tax filer counts are based on the same characteristics as the general tax filer

8. Income is based on:
8
Taxable income =
Income is based on the certificate holders’ total taxable income as stated on their tax return. General tax filer counts are based
on the number of NB certificate holders who filed taxes in the tax year, given their certification dates. Provincial tax filer
counts are based on the same characteristics as the general tax filer
Total income (Canada Revenue Agency’s definition) minus deductions reported on the tax
return. Includes net self-employment income
Employment income = Income as reported from employers on T4 slips. It includes all paid-employment income, i.e.,
wages, salaries, and commissions, before deductions. It excludes self-employment income.
All income is in 2017 constant dollars.

9. Notes:
9
• Minimum sample size restrictions prevent results from being released in some years and in some categories. This applies also to
residual disclosure numbers.
• In these categories, we supplement our results with online aggregate tables using the same datasets. These tables are put
together by Statistics Canada. Unfortunately, retention rates are not calculated in these tables, and we are limited to only general
counts and income.

10. Certificates Granted in NB, 2009 to 2019
10
2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019
Total certificates 939 960 1,155 1,089 1,035 1,014 1,062 1,011 993 1,167 1,017
Male/Not stated 921 939 1,128 1,059 1,008 981 1,023 984 939 1,125 969
Female 21 21 24 30 27 36 39 27 54 42 45
Red Seal trade 882 912 1,074 1,044 957 945 945 861 888 1,029 891
Non-Red Seal trade 54 51 81 48 78 69 117 150 105 135 129
Apprentices 579 603 741 738 618 645 600 534 639 660 636
Trade qualifiers 360 357 414 351 417 369 462 477 354 504 378
Source: Statistics Canada. Table 37-10-0089-01 Number of certificates granted to registered apprentices and trade qualifiers

11. Apprentice Registrations in NB, 2009 to 2019
11
Sources: RAIS Microdata Files; Statistics Canada, Table: 37-10-0023-01: Number of apprenticeship program registrations.
2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019
Total 5,160 5,290 5,400 5,260 5,280 5,390 5,490 5,400 5,532 5,772 5,916
New
registrations
1,200 1,194 1,173 1,017 1,125 1,203 1,149 1,023 1149 1,233 1,215
Reinstated/
registered
3,963 4,095 4,227 4,242 4,158 4,185 4,344 4,377 4,386 4,542 4,701

12. NB Completers and Trade Qualifiers: Taxable Income in Canada
12
$60,000
$70,000
$80,000
$90,000
One year after
certification
Two years after
certification
Five years after
certification
2009
2010
2011
2012
2013
2014
2015
$60,000
$70,000
$80,000
$90,000
One year after
certification
Two years after
certification
Five years after
certification
2009
2010
2011
2012
2013
2014
2015
Apprentices/Completers
Trade Qualifiers
Source: RAIS + T1FF Microdata Files

13. Age Distribution of Apprentices vs Trade Qualifiers in NB
13
20 to 24 years
25 to 29 years
30 to 34 years
35 to 39 years
40 to 44 years
45 to 49 years
50 years and over
Apprentice Trade qualifier
Source: Statistics Canada. Table 37-10-0089-01 Number of certificates granted to registered apprentices and trade qualifiers

14. NB Completers and Trade Qualifiers in NB: Retention
Retention in Certification Year
14
20%
40%
60%
80%
100%
2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017
Apprentices Trade Qualifiers/Challengers
20%
40%
60%
80%
100%
2011 2012 2013 2014 2015
Apprentices Trade Qualifiers/Challengers
2-year retention rate
Source: RAIS + T1FF Microdata Files

15. Median Employment Income of NB Tradespersons in Canada by Trade Group
15
2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016
2 years 5 years 2 years 5 years 2 years 5 years 2 years 5 years 2 years 5 years 2 years 2 years 2 years
Automotive service technician $42,082 $46,588 $41,505 $45,503 $43,333 $43,685 $43,069 $44,966 $45,327 $47,409 $40,645 $42,649 $44,496
Bricklayer X X X X $56,011 $60,117 X X $49,501 $57,781 X X X
Carpenter $41,798 $48,885 $39,697 $40,704 $39,697 $44,154 $38,309 $38,651 $36,236 $42,551 $38,524 $34,956 $38,446
Construction electrician $63,929 $79,589 $60,498 $60,215 $65,816 $59,658 $63,489 $57,155 $58,700 $59,530 $56,461 $54,340 $55,581
Cook $36,080 $39,374 $33,626 $40,616 $43,128 $44,056 $37,165 $38,133 $39,501 $38,602 $35,894 $38,318 $45,953
Crane operator X X X X $118,533 $105,385 X X X X X X X
Heavy duty equipment technician $86,490 $74,897 $99,647 $97,438 $93,763 $69,198 $69,413 $73,313 $66,050 $68,054 $73,567 $69,139 $72,756
Industrial electrician $89,061 $87,781 $83,391 $92,258 $97,380 $93,548 $87,722 $90,234 $80,684 $82,248 $80,664 $80,645 $79,824
Industrial instrumentation and control
technician
$88,152 $105,610 $102,580 $92,512 X X $94,046 $91,827 X X $88,465 $99,149 $103,763
Industrial mechanic (millwright) $78,553 $90,791 $79,403 $85,464 $77,350 $81,827 $83,040 $79,198 $83,607 $83,313 $79,912 $79,990 $75,972
Ironworker X X $70,879 $107,575 X X X X X X X X X
Machinist X X $49,159 $55,923 X X $49,022 X X X X X X
Motor vehicle body repairer X X X X X X $47,624 $55,767 X X X X X
Plumber $53,558 $57,790 $60,743 $53,010 $60,440 $49,628 $55,669 $52,492 $49,834 $54,506 $48,348 $48,641 $48,338
Powerline technician
X X X X X X $110,576 $120,009 $108,465 $122,150 $115,004 X X
Refrigeration and air conditioning
mechanic
$65,190 $61,046 $69,785 $76,940 $73,968 $84,692 $70,811 $72,737 $65,161 $68,533 $77,360 $65,308 $73,431
Roofer X X X X X X X X X X X X $72,297
Sheet metal worker X X X X X X $53,519 $57,927 $52,834 $54,340 $39,736 X $50,801
Steamfitter - pipefitter $71,407 $79,188 $88,963 $87,106 $78,504 $84,183 $73,636 $77,370 $91,603 $79,081 $68,553 $49,061 $69,325
Truck and transport mechanic $52,121 $56,481 $52,825 $60,176 $56,872 $60,097 $53,900 $57,957 $54,672 $59,579 $55,024 $64,486 $57,292
Welder $52,258 $61,075 $67,663 $82,649 $66,598 $60,987 $87,253 $62,189 $75,386 $61,505 $69,951 $53,988 $61,476
2017 Constant Dollars. Source: Statistics Canada, 37-10-0194-01: Median employment income of journeypersons who certify in select trades two and five years after
certification, cross-sectional analysis. ‘x’ means data were suppressed to meet the confidentiality requirements of the Statistics Act or that the values were too unreliable to be
published.

16. 2012 Cohort Only
16
$- $20,000 $40,000 $60,000 $80,000 $100,000 $120,000 $140,000
Automotive service technician
Construction electrician
Heavy duty equipment technician
Industrial instrumentation and control technician
Machinist
Plumber
Refrigeration and air conditioning mechanic
Steamfitter - pipefitter
Welder
5 years 2 years
Source: Statistics Canada. Table 37-10-0194-01 Median employment income of journeypersons who certify in selected trades, two and five years after certification,
cross-sectional analysis
Median Employment Income of NB Tradespersons in Canada by Trade Group

17. Retention of NB Tradespersons by Trade Group
17
20%
40%
60%
80%
100%
2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017
Category 1 Category 2
20%
40%
60%
80%
100%
2011 2012 2013 2014 2015
Category 1 Category 2
Retention in Certification Year 2-year retention rate
Source: RAIS + T1FF Microdata Files

18. Taxable Income of NB Red Seal Trades vs Non-Red Seal Trades in Canada
18
2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016
Red Seal Trades
One year after
certification
$67,830 $63,188 $67,825 $71,465 $75,407 $70,762 $63,880 $65,500
Two years after
certification
$69,713 $66,968 $73,907 $74,365 $71,895 $66,926 $65,100
Five years after
certification
$81,656 $72,101 $71,700 $69,300
Non-Red Seal Trades
One year after
certification
$70,517 $67,212 $72,861 $83,889 $95,509 $67,466 $71,598
Two years after
certification
$75,369 $68,468 $77,943 $90,718 $94,555 $69,872 $74,100
Five years after
certification
$99,571 $72,616 $81,449 $97,700
Source: RAIS + T1FF Microdata Files

19. Age Distribution: NB Red Seal Trades vs Non-Red Seal Trades
19
Source: Statistics Canada. Table 37-10-0089-01 Number of certificates granted to registered apprentices and trade qualifiers
20 to 24 years
25 to 29 years
30 to 34 years
35 to 39 years
40 to 44 years
45 to 49 years
50 years and over
Red Seal Non-Red Seal

20. Red Seal Endorsed Certificates vs Non-Red Seal Endorsed Certificates
20
Red Seal Endorsed Certificates = Red Seal Trade Only (examination required to receive Certificate of Qualification)
Non-Red Seal Endorsed Certificate = Red Seal Trade or Non-Red Seal Trade (No examination written)

21. Retention of NB Red Seal Endorsed Certificates vs Non-Red Seal Endorsed
21
Retention in Certification Year 2-year retention rate
20%
40%
60%
80%
100%
2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017
Non-Red Seal Endorsed Red Seal Endorsed
20%
40%
60%
80%
100%
2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015
Non-Red Seal Endorsed Red Seal Endorsed
Source: RAIS + T1FF Microdata Files

22. Taxable Income of NB Red Seal Trades and Non-Red Seal Endorsed in Canada
22
2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016
Red Seal Endorsed
One year after
certification
$ 65,480 $ 62,644 $ 65,896 $ 69,979 $ 74,470 $ 68,290 $ 61,544 $ 64,400
Two years after
certification
$ 67,973 $ 66,325 $ 72,315 $ 73,428 $ 71,174 $ 64,794 $ 63,200
Five years after
certification
$ 76,969 $ 72,410 $ 70,379 $ 68,300
Non-Red Seal Endorsed
One year after
certification
$78,352 $67,212 $78,111 $ 87,712 $88,635 $82,195 $76,168 $74,800
Two years after
certification
$77,870 $70,611 $82,084 $ 87,385 $85,182 $79,317 $76,500
Five years after
certification
$104,882 $73,955 $80,941 $ 87,800
Source: RAIS + T1FF Microdata Files

23. Age Distribution: NB Red Seal Endorsed vs Non-Red Seal Endorsed
23
20 to 24 years
25 to 29 years
30 to 34 years
35 to 39 years
40 to 44 years
45 to 49 years
50 years and over
Without Red Seal endorsement With Red Seal endorsement
Source: Statistics Canada. Table 37-10-0089-01 Number of certificates granted to registered apprentices and trade qualifiers

24. Final Notes & Conclusion
24

25. Appendix
25
2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019
Total
Total trades 939 960 1,155 1,089 1,035 1,014 1,062 1,011 993 1,167 1,017
Non-Red Seal
trade
54 51 81 48 78 69 117 150 105 135 129
Red Seal
trade
882 912 1,074 1,044 957 945 945 861 888 1,029 891
Apprentice
Total trades 579 603 741 738 618 645 600 534 639 660 636
Non-Red Seal
trade
30 27 30 27 30 12 12 45 15 27 30
Red Seal
trade
549 573 711 714 588 636 588 489 624 639 606
Trade
qualifier
Total trades 357 360 417 351 417 369 462 477 354 504 378
Non-Red Seal
trade
24 21 51 18 48 57 105 105 90 114 99
Red Seal
trade
336 336 363 330 366 312 357 372 264 393 279
Statistics Canada. Table 37-10-0089-01 Number of certificates granted to registered apprentices and trade qualifiers
Total Number Of Trades Certificates Granted in NB By Red Seal Status

26. 26
2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019
Apprentice
Total certificates 579 603 741 738 618 645 600 534 639 660 636
With Red Seal
Endorsement
549 573 696 708 588 627 588 486 624 639 606
Without Red Seal
Endorsement
30 27 42 33 30 18 12 48 15 27 30
Trade qualifier
Total certificates 357 360 417 351 417 369 462 477 354 504 378
With Red Seal
Endorsement
195 228 240 258 264 222 252 246 177 162 153
Without Red Seal
Endorsement
162 129 174 90 150 144 210 231 177 345 228
Statistics Canada. Table 37-10-0089-01 Number of certificates granted to registered apprentices and trade qualifiers
Total Number Of Trades Certificates Granted in NB By Red Seal Endorsement Status

27. Taxable Income of NB Tradespersons in Canada by Age Group
27
18 to 30 years old 30 to 40 years old
Source: RAIS + T1FF Microdata Files
$50,000
$60,000
$70,000
$80,000
$90,000
One year after
certification
Two years after
certification
Five years after
certification
2009
2010
2011
2012
2013
2014
2015
$50,000
$60,000
$70,000
$80,000
$90,000
One year after
certification
Two years
after
certification
Five years
after
certification
2009
2010
2011
2012
2013
2014
2015
$50,000
$60,000
$70,000
$80,000
$90,000
One year after
certification
Two years
after
certification
Five years
after
certification
2009
2010
2011
2012
2013
2014
40 to 65 years old

28. Retention of NB Tradespersons by Age group
28
Retention in Certification Year 2-year Retention Rate
75%
80%
85%
90%
95%
100%
2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017
18 to 30 years 30 to 40 years 40 to 65 years
75%
80%
85%
90%
95%
100%
2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015
18 to 30 years 30 to 40 years 40 to 65 years
Source: RAIS + T1FF Microdata Files