The Red Seal Program is a program that sets common standards for tradespeople in Canada. It was created in 1959 as a result of the first National Conference on Apprenticeship in Trades and Industries, held in Ottawa in 1952. The Red Seal program is under the jurisdiction of the Canadian Council of Directors of Apprenticeship (CCDA) . The Red Seal is proof that a tradesperson has met the national standard in their trade. Tradespeople who hold a trade certificate with a Red Seal can work anywhere in Canada, including Alberta, without further training or examination.

The Red Seal Program covers 54 trades, including cook, electrician, machinist, welder, heavy equipment operator, millwright, and roofer. Most provinces and territories use the Red Seal examination as the final certification exam in designated Red Seal trades. Many employers only hire persons with this qualification to avoid varying standards among the provinces.

When tradespersons complete their apprenticeships and pass the Red Seal examination, they receive a Red Seal Endorsement ("RSE") on their provincial/territorial trade certificate, usually called a "Certificate of Qualification". The Red Seal endorsement promotes excellence to employers, instills pride in skilled workers, and facilitates labor mobility. Certification and Red Seal endorsement of a tradesperson can be confirmed with the provincial or territorial apprenticeship authority that issued the Red Seal.

In summary, the Red Seal Program is a national standard of excellence for skilled trades in Canada. It sets common standards for tradespeople and covers 54 trades. Tradespeople who hold a trade certificate with a Red Seal can work anywhere in Canada without further training or examination.