Quality Control Council of Canada

What Quality Control Council of Canada does

The Quality Control Council of Canada (QCCC) is a national labor union and joint venture between the International Brotherhood of Boilermakers (IBB) and the United Association of Journeymen and Apprentices of the Plumbing and Pipe Fitting Industry (UA), formally organized in 1973 and recognized as the designated bargaining representative for non-destructive testing (NDT) and field heat treatment technicians across Canada. The union represents approximately 4,100 members working for 100+ signatory contractor employers across five regions (Pacific, Prairie, Central, Quebec, Atlantic), serving industries including oil and gas, petrochemical, power generation, mining, pulp and paper, pipelines, and aerospace. QCCC's core offering is collective bargaining — it negotiates the Quality Control Agreement with the Nondestructive Testing Management Association (NDTMA), the registered employer's organization representing approximately 70 union contractors, and administers member benefits including pension, health, dental, disability, legal assistance, and training reimbursement.

QCCC's primary product surface is the National Training Society (NTS), a CGSB-certified training organization and written test centre operating physical campuses in Edmonton, Brantford, and Saint John. NTS delivers NRCan-recognized courses covering radiographic testing (RT), ultrasonic testing (UT), magnetic particle inspection (MPI), liquid penetrant inspection (LPI), eddy current (EC), and ground penetrating radar (GPR), plus visual inspection and field heat treatment. A dedicated NDT Certification Coordinator (Sharon Bond) provides free guidance on CGSB, CWB, and NRCan certification pathways. Revenue flows from three principal sources: member monthly dues ($42/month), working dues (1.5% of gross earnings), and employer contributions to an Administration Fund (1% of gross earnings) plus per-hour contributions to pension, health, training, EAP, and Helmets to Hardhats trust funds. The employer-side contributions largely pass through to jointly-administered trust funds rather than flowing to QCCC's operating budget.

The go-to-market is two-sided and community-led. On the member side, QCCC grows through union organizing drives led by Business Development Representatives who guide technicians through Labour Relations Board certification, supplemented by an online recruitment application. On the employer side, representatives in Western and Eastern zones engage signatory contractors and promote benefits including access to a trained labor pool, cost-shared training, higher retention, and continuous health coverage — particularly for capital projects requiring unionized workforces. Distribution is direct: signatory employers hire members through name hiring from the union hall, with QCCC providing out-of-work and recruitment lists rather than acting as a placement agency.

Name

Quality Control Council of Canada

Legal name

Quality Control Council of Canada

Website

https://qcccanada.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1970

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

The Quality Control Council of Canada is a national labor union and joint venture between the IBB and UA, representing approximately 4,100 non-destructive testing and field heat treatment technicians across Canada, delivering collective bargaining, certification training via the National Training Society, and member benefits administration to 100+ signatory contractor employers.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Labor Union Representation Services

NAICS

Labor Unions and Similar Labor Organizations (813930), Testing Laboratories and Services (54138)

SIC

Services-Testing Laboratories (8734)

akta.pro primary industry

Welding Inspection, QA/QC & NDT Prep Training (e.g., CWI) (EDAOADAF)

Keywords

• Labor union representation
• Non-destructive testing training
• Field heat treatment services
• NDT certification programs
• Union member benefits administration

Headquarters

HQ city

Edmonton

HQ country

Canada

HQ region

North America

Offices5 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Union Dues - Monthly: Members pay monthly union dues of $42/month, which are pooled to fund compensation, safety, representation, working conditions, and wellbeing protections for all members. Tax deductible.
2. Union Dues - Working Dues: Working dues of 1.5% of gross earnings are deducted from members. Tax deductible.
3. Employer Contributions - Administration Fund: Signatory employers contribute 1% of employee's gross earnings to an Administration Fund, which funds QCCC operations and the NDTMA.
4. Employer Contributions - Training Fund (NDT): Employers contribute $0.35 per hour worked to an NDT Training Fund, administered jointly by QCCC and NDTMA for reimbursement of member training and certification costs.
5. Employer Contributions - Pension: Employers contribute $6 per hour earned (varies by region) to the pension plan, providing long-term retirement benefits to members.
6. Employer Contributions - Health Benefits: Employers contribute $2.80 per hour worked to a Health Benefits Plan providing comprehensive health coverage to members.
7. Employer Contributions - Employee Assistance Plan: Employers contribute $0.04 per hour worked to an Employee Assistance Plan, providing support resources to members.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

The Quality Control Council of Canada (QCCC) is the designated labor union that represents approximately 4,100 non-destructive testing (NDT) and field heat treatment technicians across Canada, operating through five regional offices. It negotiates collective bargaining agreements, delivers CGSB-certified training through the National Training Society at three locations, and administers comprehensive member benefits (health, dental, pension, legal, wellness) funded jointly by member dues and signatory employer contributions.

Product overview

The Quality Control Council of Canada (QCCC) is a union organization offering a portfolio of services for Non-Destructive Testing (NDT) and Field Heat Treatment professionals. The core offering includes the National Training Society (NTS) providing NRCan-recognized certification training courses (QCC 100-800) across multiple locations in Canada. Supporting services include an NDT Certification Coordinator for certification guidance, Health Benefits Plan through GreenShield+, Pension Plan, Legal Assistance Plan via Foundever, and the QCC Canada National Wellness Centre offering Telus Health One and Telus Virtual Healthcare. The organization also provides recruitment services connecting member technicians with signatory employers. These services function as an integrated member benefits ecosystem rather than a unified software product.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• National Training Society (NTS): The educational center of the QCCC, providing training and certification in NDT, Visual Inspection, and Field Heat Treatment to QCCC members and the general public.

Products and services

• National Training Society (NTS) Educational center providing practical skills training and certification in NDT, Visual Inspection, and Field Heat Treatment for QCCC members and the general public. Certified by CGSB as a training organization and written test centre operating across three locations (Edmonton, Brantford, Saint John).
• NDT Certification Coordinator Service Free certification guidance service providing QCCC members with CGSB recertification planning, initial certification guidance, exam planning and bookings, and pre-approvals for the National Training Trust Fund.
• NDT Training Courses NRCan-recognized training courses including Materials and Processes (QCC 100), MPI Testing Level 2 (QCC 200), Liquid Penetrant Level 2 (QCC 300), CEDO Training (QCC 600), and Math Skills (QCC 800).
• Health Benefits Plan Comprehensive health, dental, and drug coverage provided through the NDT Industry Health Benefit Plan, administered in partnership with GreenShield+.
• Pension Plan Retirement pension plan contributions tied to member SIN, providing payroll tax savings and larger average returns through collective fund management.
• Legal Assistance Plan Unlimited free summary telephone legal advice through partnership with Foundever Assistance Services, covering family, criminal, civil litigation, landlord/tenant, real estate, and wills/estates matters.
• QCC Canada National Wellness Centre Mental health and well-being resources including Telus Health One employee assistance program, Telus Virtual Healthcare, and confidential support services for members and families.
• Substance Abuse Rehabilitation Assistance (SARA) Clinical assessment and treatment recommendations for members and families dealing with addiction, including counseling, day programs, treatment centre referral, and return-to-work clearance.
• NDT Recruitment Services Recruitment form processing that makes technician information viewable to QCCC signatory employers, facilitating hiring between job-seeking members and employers.

Quantifiable outcome

• Union wages 10-30% higher per hour than non-union NDT technicians
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers2 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• International Brotherhood of Boilermakers (IBB)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIBB is one of two parent organizations of the QCCC as a joint venture. IBB provides Boilermaker Lodge representation across Canada (Lodges 359, 555, 146, 128, 73, 203, 271) and contributes to QCCC's governance, collective bargaining, and member services. QCCC members retain rights and privileges of IBB and are encouraged to participate in local lodge activities.
• United Association of Journeymen and Apprentices of the Plumbing and Pipe Fitting Industry (UA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUA is one of two parent organizations of the QCCC as a joint venture. UA provides Local Union representation across Canada (Locals 170, 254, 488, 496, 179, 46, 144, 740, 325) and contributes to QCCC's governance, collective bargaining, and member services. QCCC members retain rights and privileges of UA and are encouraged to participate in local union activities.
• Nondestructive Testing Management Association (NDTMA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNDTMA is the registered employer's organization representing approximately 70 union contractors engaged in NDT and Field Heat Treatment throughout Canada. QCCC jointly negotiates the Quality Control Agreement with NDTMA. The two organizations jointly administer industry training funds that reimburse member training and certification costs.
• National Training Society (NTS)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNTS is the educational center of the QCCC and provides practical skills training and development in NDT, Visual Inspection, and Field Heat Treatment. It operates as a CGSB-certified training organization and written test centre at three locations (Edmonton, Brantford, Saint John).
• Canadian General Standards Board (CGSB)coreTechnology or IntegrationCGSB establishes best practices for NDT through document CAN/CGSB 48.9712 - Non-destructive testing: Qualification and certification of NDT personnel. QCCC NTS is CGSB-certified as a training organization and written test centre for CGSB NDT certification.
• Foundever Assistance ServicesminorOthersFoundever provides the QCCC Legal Assistance Plan offering unlimited free summary telephone legal advice to members, including family, criminal, civil litigation, landlord/tenant, real estate, and wills matters. Also provides 25% discount on legal fees through referral network and identity theft restoration services.
• Telus Health (EFAP and Virtual Healthcare)minorOthersTelus Health provides employee and family assistance program (EFAP) through Telus Health One offering licensed professional support for work, health, or life matters. Also provides Telus Virtual Healthcare for virtual medical consultations for covered eligible dependents across Canada.
• GreenShield+minorOthersGreenShield+ is the health benefits administrator for the NDT Industry Health Benefit Plan, providing dental, vision, prescription, and extended health benefits to QCCC members.
• D.A. TownleyminorOthersD.A. Townley is the plan administrator for the NDT Industry Health Benefit Plan, determining eligibility for substance abuse rehabilitation assistance (SARA) and support available.
• Helmets to HardhatsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerHelmets to Hardhats is a program connecting military veterans with careers in construction trades. QCCC participates by contributing $0.02 per hour worked per employee to the program.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves11 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Teamsters Canada: Canadian arm of the International Brotherhood of Teamsters, representing workers across transportation, construction, and industrial sectors. Comparable because it is a large Canadian trade union with multi-region employer signatory structures and capital-project exposure that overlaps with QCCC's end markets.
• International Brotherhood of Boilermakers (IBB): One of QCCC's two parent unions; represents boilermakers and related industrial workers across the U.S. and Canada. Directly comparable because QCCC's governance, collective bargaining capacity, and member services are explicitly anchored in IBB's lodge structure and resources.
• Canadian Labour Congress (CLC): The national labour federation representing most Canadian union members and affiliated unions. Comparable as the umbrella body to which QCCC's parent unions (IBB, UA) are affiliated, providing the broader federation context for QCCC's collective bargaining and political advocacy.
• United Association of Journeymen and Apprentices of the Plumbing and Pipe Fitting Industry (UA): QCCC's other parent union; represents plumbers, pipefitters, welders, and HVAC service technicians across North America. Directly comparable because UA provides QCCC's local union representation, bargaining rights, and the jurisdictional foundation that defines QCCC's NDT/heat treatment scope.

Direct peers

• United Steelworkers (Canada): Major Canadian private-sector union representing workers across steel, mining, rubber, and industrial sectors. Comparable because USW represents a similar industrial trades workforce with overlapping employer relationships in mining, pipelines, and heavy industry that compete for the same technician pool.
• Ironworkers International – Canada: Represents structural and reinforcing ironworkers across North America. Comparable as a building trades union operating in the same industrial construction and capital-project end markets, with a similar joint-training-center model and comparable dues/benefit funding structure.
• International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW) – Canada: IBEW's Canadian locals represent electrical workers in construction, utilities, and manufacturing. Comparable as a building trades union with comparable dues structure, joint training centers, multi-region footprint, and capital-project signatory employer relationships.
• Sheet Metal Workers International Association – Canada: Represents sheet metal, HVAC, and architectural metal workers across North America. Comparable as a building trades union operating in the same industrial construction and capital-project end markets, with comparable multi-region employer signatory structures.

Emerging players

• Christian Labour Association of Canada (CLAC): An alternative Canadian union operating across multiple construction and industrial trades. Comparable because CLAC competes with traditional building trades unions for signatory contractors and member loyalty on Canadian construction sites, including in the same capital-project sectors where QCCC operates.

Others

• Nondestructive Testing Management Association (NDTMA): The registered Canadian employer's organization representing ~70 union NDT and Field Heat Treatment contractors. Directly comparable because NDTMA is QCCC's sole counterpart at the bargaining table, co-administers the training fund, and shares governance of the joint collective agreement.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/TheQCCC
• LinkedInca.linkedin.com/company/quality-control-council-of-canada-qccc-prairie-region

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles16 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Quality Control Council of Canada