Gold Seal Overview

General Information

What is Gold Seal?

The CCA Gold Seal Certification Program is a national certification program for construction Project Managers, Superintendents, Estimators and Owners’ Project Managers. Certification is based on the candidate's education, experience and their ability to satisfy the rigorous standards of the Program. This may mean the successful completion of a Gold Seal exam. The Gold Seal Certificate was developed by the industry for the industry and is a voluntary certification program for the individual. The Certificate signifies that the individual has attained a nationally recognized level of experience and competence as a Project Manager, Superintendent, Estimator or Owners’ Project Managers.

For the individual - the Gold Seal Certificate is a declaration of skill and competence that is recognized by the construction industry across the country. The Certificate will enhance mobility and professional development of construction managers.

For the contractor - employing Gold Seal Certified managers is a statement regarding the professionalism and commitment of the firm to construction management excellence. A Gold Seal Certificate assists employers in recruiting capable construction managers.

Background on Gold Seal

The Gold Seal Certification Program can trace its roots back to 1973 with the release of an extensive construction management study by an industry advisory body to the Federal Ministry of Industry Trade & Commerce. The national study pointed out shortcomings of construction management development and made several recommendations to improve management effectiveness through education.

As a result, the Construction Management Development Institute (CMDI) was established in 1981 to coordinate the necessary activities to improve management effectiveness. The Institute operated for 10 years undertaking several initiatives in pursuit of this objective. A key objective was the development of a national set of standards for construction management occupations. The project became known as the Gold Seal Certification program.

The program was handed over to the CCA and in 1993 the CCA launched the national Gold Seal Certification Program at the Convention in Victoria, British Columbia with presentation of Gold Seal Certificates to the first twenty graduates of the program.

The designation of Gold Seal Intern was established in 2001 to recognize candidates with at least three years’ experience who have registered in a Gold Seal-recognized educational program and are proceeding toward their certification.

While Gold Seal Certification continues to focus on three occupations (Estimator, Superintendent and Project Manager), the designation of Owners’ Project Managers was added in 2005 to recognize the clients’ sector in addition to general contractors, Electrical, Road and Heavy, Mechanical and Specialty Trades. Gold Seal introduced the Construction Safety Coordinator designation and the P.GSC designation in 2007.

To date, there have been more than 7 500 certificates issued under the Gold Seal Program.