A designated occupation is an occupation that has been approved by the Minister of Learning on the recommendation of the specific industry and the Alberta Apprenticeship and Industry Training Board. Designated occupations have established competencies. When an individual demonstrates the standards of competence, the Minister grants an occupational certificate. Participation in a designated occupation is voluntary and a certificate is not required for an individual to work in the occupation. Applicants for certification in a designated occupation may achieve the required competencies without following a prescribed process.
Industry is responsible for most of the costs.
Government may fund the development and maintenance of certification standards and assessment tools. Designated occupations are new and each one is as different as the industry that sponsored it. The Alberta Apprenticeship and Industry Training Board, on the recommendation of industry, establishes the standards of competence. In some occupations, a record book is available to record the training. The individual is also responsible for paying any tuition fee or associated fees for formal training.