Achievement in Business Competencies (Blue Seal) Program

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The Achievement in Business Competencies (Blue Seal) Program is a credential offered by NWT Apprenticeship, Trade and Occupation Certification (ATOC) to NWT residents with a valid Journeyperson Certificate, Occupational Certificate, or another valid trade certificate recognized in the NWT. 

The Blue Seal Program was established by Alberta Apprenticeship and Industry Training (AIT) to encourage and recognize business training. If you are a certified journeyperson in a designated trade or occupation, earning a Blue Seal proves that you not only meet high industry standards, but you also have the knowledge and drive to develop your business skills and succeed in business.

If you hold a Journeyperson Certificate and/or an Occupational Certificate, you can enhance your current certification with a Blue Seal.

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Benefits of Earning a Blue Seal

Holding a Blue Seal demonstrates that a journeyperson or recognized trade certificate holder has successfully achieved a reasonable level of business education (150 hours) and knowledge of various approved business subject areas.

By earning your Blue Seal you will develop valuable business and management knowledge to supervise a team, manage finances, or even start your own business. It is an investment in your career and in your trade. 

NWT Journeypersons or Occupational Certificate holders who complete the Achievement in Business Competencies (Blue Seal) Program may move into leadership, supervisory, entrepreneurial or other roles.

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Eligible Subject Areas

  • Accounting
  • Administration
  • Business Law
  • Business Mathematics
  • Communications
  • Economics
  • Entrepreneurship
  • Finance
  • Human Resource Management
  • Industrial Relations
  • Leadership
  • Management
  • Marketing
  • Operations Management
  • Organizational Behaviour
  • Project Management
  • Public Administration
  • Supervision
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How to Obtain a Blue Seal

  • Complete one of the following:
    • One or more programs of study approved by ATOC (NWT) that total at least 150 hours of study, or
    • 150 hours of study in one or more of the approved subject areas through a recognized training provider, or
    • A combination of programs of study approved by ATOC (NWT) and courses of study in one or more of the approved subject areas through a recognized training provider to equal at least 150 hours of study,
    • Pay the $50.00 non-refundable application fee, 
  • Complete and submit the application form with a copy of your transcripts and supporting documentation. It should clearly indicate:
    • Applicant name
    • Recognized training provider 
    • Approved subject area(s)/course name

    • Hours of study you have completed

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Testimonials

"I wanted to obtain my Blue Seal because of the transferable skills I would develop in the process of getting it. There is no denying that the skills of marketing, communications, and accounting combined with my trades education and experience made me a more rounded tradesperson for my employer and customers. In my opinion, if someone ever dreams of owning their own business, or simply wants to become a more rounded tradesperson, they owe it to themselves to invest in their future potential and go for their Blue Seal."

Justin Rivera, recipient of Blue Seal certification.

"I have always loved the science of the way the world works. The Blue Seal Certificate allows me to combine my interests in the science of trades with the art of driving business success. The Blue Seal certificate allows me to combine my experience as a Red Seal tradesperson and studies in Business Administration and Marketing. With this certificate, I look forward to continuing to grow northern business opportunities north of 60.” 
Christian Cleveland, recipient of Blue Seal Certification.
 

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Recognized Training Providers/ Institutions

Business Training for the Blue Seal Achievement in Business Competencies Certificate can be completed at the following Alberta-based training institutes:

Technical Institutes

  • Northern Alberta Institute of Technology (NAIT) Edmonton
  • Southern Alberta Institute of Technology (SAIT) Calgary

Public Colleges

  • Bow Valley College Calgary
  • Grande Prairie Regional College
  • Keyano College Fort McMurray
  • Lakeland College Vermilion
  • Lethbridge College
  • Medicine Hat College
  • NorQuest College Edmonton
  • Northern Lakes College Lesser Slave Lake
  • Olds College
  • Portage College Lac La Biche
  • Red Deer College

Private University Colleges

  • Academy of Learning Career College
  • Ambrose University (formerly Alliance-University-College-Nazarene-University-College) Calgary
  • Burman University Lacombe
  • Columbia College Calgary
  • Concordia University of Edmonton
  • The King's University Edmonton
  • NIWE Academy of Cosmetology and Massage (formerly National Institute of Wellness and Esthetics), Calgary
  • Robertson College Edmonton
  • Robertson College Calgary
  • Royal Alberta College Edmonton

Universities

  • Athabasca University
  • MacEwan University Edmonton
  • Mount Royal University Calgary
  • University of Alberta Edmonton
  • University of Calgary
  • University of Lethbridge

Other

  • ACCData Computer Systems and Training Grande Prairie
  • Alberta Construction Safety Association (ACSA) Edmonton
  • Alberta Safety Codes Council
  • Banff Centre
  • Chartered Professional Accountants Alberta
  • CLAC Career Development College Inc Edmonton
  • Colleges and Institutes Canada
  • Construction Labour Relations Association (CLRA) Edmonton
  • Electrical Contractors Association of Alberta
  • Merit Contractors Association Edmonton
  • Professional Home Builders Institute Calgary
  • Supply Chain Management Association Alberta

Business Training for the Blue Seal Achievement in Business Competencies Certificate can be completed at the following Canadian training institutes:

  • Acadia University Wolfville NS
  • Algonquin College of Applied Arts and Technology Nepean ON
  • Aurora College, Yellowknife NWT
  • Assiniboine Community College MB
  • Bishop’s University Sherbrooke QC
  • Briercrest College and Seminary Caronport SK
  • British Columbia Institute of Technology BC
  • Brock University St. Catharines ON
  • Camosun College Victoria BC
  • Cape Breton University Sydney NS
  • Capilano University Vancouver BC
  • CDI College
  • Centennial College ON
  • College Boreal ON
  • College of New Caledonia Prince George BC
  • College of the North Atlantic Stephenville NL
  • Concordia University Montreal QC
  • Confederation College Thunder Bay ON
  • Coast Mountain College (formerly Northwest Community College) BC
  • Dale Carnegie Courses
  • Dalhousie University Halifax NS
  • Douglas College New Westminster BC
  • Durham College, ON
  • Eastern College NL
  • Fanshawe College London ON
  • Georgian College ON
  • Great Plains College, Kindersley SK
  • Great Plains College Swift Current SK
  • Great Plains College Warman SK
  • Holland College PEI
  • Institute de technologie agroalimentaire QC
  • Keyin College, NL
  • Kwantlen Polytechnic University BC
  • Lakehead University Thunder Bay/Orillia ON
  • Lambton College Sarnia ON
  • Langara College Vancouver BC
  • Laval University Quebec City QC
  • McMaster University Hamilton ON
  • Memorial University St. John's NL
  • Mohawk College Hamilton ON
  • National Seminars Training
  • New Brunswick Community College Saint John NB
  • Niagara College Canada ON
  • Nova Scotia Community College (NSCC) NS
  • Okanagan College Kelowna BC
  • Queen's University Kingston ON
  • Red River College MB
  • Robertson College Winnipeg MB
  • Royal Roads University Victoria BC
  • St. Francis Xavier University NS
  • Saint Mary's University Halifax NS
  • Saskatchewan Polytechnic SK
  • Selkirk College Castlegar BC
  • Sir Sandford Fleming College Peterborough ON
  • Thompson Rivers University Kamloops BC
  • Trinity Western University Langley BC
  • Université de Moncton NB
  • Université du Québec à Montreal Montreal QC
  • Université du Québec en Outaouais Gatineau QC
  • Université du Québec à Trois–Rivières QC
  • Université de Sherbrooke QC
  • University of British Columbia Vancouver BC
  • University of the Fraser Valley Abbotsford BC
  • University of New Brunswick St. John NB
  • University of Northern British Columbia Prince George BC
  • University of Ottawa ON
  • University of Saskatchewan Saskatoon SK
  • University of Victoria BC
  • University of Windsor ON
  • Vancouver Community College Vancouver BC
  • Vancouver Island University BC
  • Yorkville University BC ON NB
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Resources

Achievement in Business Competencies (Blue Seal) Program 
Application

 

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