Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 14 January 2016
214. Deputy Brendan Griffin asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade if he will liaise with his Canadian counterparts to ensure that Irish electricians will have their qualifications fully recognised in Canada, and not have to sit the Red Seal examination as a pre-requisite for working in Canada; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1600/16]
View answerMany skilled electricians, and other qualified people, have moved from Ireland to work in Canada over the past few years. The high standards of training of these Irish skilled people are recognised by Canadian employers who have actively recruited in Ireland in recent years. As is true for all skilled people who did not receive their trade qualifications in Canada, it is currently the case that Irish electricians must sit the Red Seal examination as a means of converting their Irish qualifications.
The Canadian authorities are currently undertaking a ‘Foreign Qualifications Recognition’ initiative to establish a framework for more effectively evaluating trade qualifications which were earned outside of Canada. I welcome this initiative and hope that it will lead to a more streamlined process for the recognition of Irish qualifications across a range of trades.
