What is an apprenticeship?
An apprenticeship is a paid job that provides a hands-on training program for people who want to work in a skilled trade and who enjoy learning by doing. e.g. Automotive Service Technician, Electrician, Baker, Tool and Die Maker.
About 90 per cent of apprenticeship training is workplace-based training, under the direction of experienced workers. An apprentice is given a Training Standard Manual or Schedule of Training to ensure that they are trained to the standards of skill and safety set by the industry. The remainder of the time involves classroom instruction on theory, which is usually given at a local community college or provided by another approved training organization.
Once you have found an employer who is willing to train you, both you and the employer will sign a training agreement prepared by an Apprenticeship Branch consultant. After the training agreement is signed and filed with the Ministry, you are considered to be a registered apprentice. At specific stages of your training, the Apprenticeship Branch consultant will arrange for you to take classroom instruction in theory (usually at a Community College).
Apprentices are workers, so you will be paid while you gain work experience, and your wages will increase with the level of your skills.
At the completion of the apprenticeship period, apprentices are eligible to write the provincial examination for a Certificate of Qualification for the trade.
An apprenticeship provides access to well-paying jobs that demand a high level of skills and judgement.
Resources
Opening Doors
is an Ontario government site that is committed to ensuring the province has the highly skilled workforce needed to attract jobs and investment in the 21st Century. This site provides students with the information they need to prepare for the full range of opportunities available after high school.CareerMATTERS
is a TVOntario site that uses student-friendly, non-technical terminology to provide extensive information on a wide range of careers in the areas of the skilled trades. Select Profiles to have trades people share insightful stories and tips about what the job is really like -- how they got started in their apprenticeships, the rewards and challenges, what to do and what not to do.Career Cruising
has an Apprenticeship Training section. Logon with the Username and Password for your school.If necessary, see your Guidance Counsellor or use the Forgot Your Username and Password link on the Career Cruising homepage. Once you have logged onto the Career Cruising site select Explore Education and Training, then select Apprenticeship Training.OYAP - The Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program (OYAP)
offers Ontario secondary school students the opportunity to train as registered apprentices while enrolled in school. It allows a student to complete his or her Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) and to gain apprenticeship training towards a Certificate of Qualification with journeyperson status in a skilled trade.Apprenticesearch
is a joint project sponsored by Human Resources Development Canada (HRSDC) and the Halton Industry Education Council (HIEC). In addition to providing excellent profiles on many apprenticeships, this site includes information on prerequisite high school courses and wages. If this site "hangs" while you are trying to load it, either select STOP in your Internet browser toolbar or enable cookies for this site.Catalogue of apprenticeable trades
This catalogue was developed by the Durham Region Local Training Board. It is intended to provide a brief description of the Regulated trades in Ontario.Made With the Trades
provides job descriptions, educational requirements, length of training, pay scales and interviews on 30 construction trades. This site has a high graphics content and may be slow to download. If you want to skip the introductory "text messaging", choose 9 on the cell phone and then explore each button.Monster
is a commercial Canadian site that has a special section - Monster Skilled Trades is devoted to the skilled trades. Topics include: Get the Job - the advice, examples and information you need to get your foot in the door of that next big career move Break into the Trades - landing your first job in the trade industries Job Profiles - from carpenter to welder and everything in between and The Blue-Collar Résumé - a résumé is a chance for job seekers to make a great first impressionCareers in construction
The Ontario Construction Secretariat (OCS) has created this site to provide detailed information about the careers that are available in the construction industry.
Need more information?
Please contact us by e-mail at stephen.lewis.ss@yrdsb.edu.on.ca15. We will be happy to help you.
