Starting Your Apprenticeship

The Ontario government is committed to ensuring young people have the skills and expertise they need to find rewarding careers. A strong apprenticeship program is key to achieving that goal.

This website is designed to assist high school students and job seekers who are interested in pursuing a career in the skilled trades. It provides information on the supports available to you as well as responsibilities you have as an apprentice.

• Why would I want to become an apprentice?
• Does the government provide any supports or incentives to me as an apprentice?
• How do I know which skilled trade I'd be good at?
• How do I get registered as an apprentice?
• As an apprentice, what are my responsibilities?
• Where can I find more information?

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Why would I want to become an apprentice?

You've probably heard a lot about the types of college and university programs offered in Ontario. But there is also a wide range of interesting career choices available in the world of the skilled trades.

You see skilled workers everyday - in construction projects, in manufacturing and in hospitality trades. They're involved in almost every aspect of Ontario's economy. And they're in high demand in Ontario's rapidly changing workforce.

Getting a job in the skilled trades is just the first step in learning new technologies that will let you build a rewarding career. Jobs in skilled trades pay well and challenge your intellect and creativity. Better still, you can earn a pay cheque while you learn.

Does the government provide any supports or incentives to me as an apprentice?

Yes, the Ontario government provides a number of supports for people entering and continuing through an apprenticeship program.

Apprenticeship training is a combination of on-the-job learning and in-class instruction. Apprentices are workers and earn a salary for the work they do. Their salary increases in step with their increased knowledge and skills.

A $40 fee is required to register as an apprentice, however no fee is charged if you are participating in the Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program.

Through the Loans for Tools program, the government will also provide you with up to $800 to help you purchase the tools of the trade that you will use on the job.

In addition, the 2004 Ontario Budget announced the creation of fifteen hundred new $1,000 scholarships that are available to young people (16-24 years of age) who leave school, but return to complete the necessary academic upgrading they need, and get registered as an apprentice by an employer.

Fees for in-class instruction are typically $400 for eight-weeks of instruction, which represents about 20 per cent of the actual cost of classroom instruction. A fee of $100 is also required to write the Certification of Qualification exam.

Talk with a ministry training consultant to learn about the incentive and fees for the skilled trade in which you want to apprentice.

How do I know which skilled trade I'd be good at?

Picking any career is a combination of pursing things that you are just naturally good at doing combined with your interests. In Ontario, there are more than 130 skilled trades ranging from auto mechanics to arborists; and from early childhood educators to chefs.

For a full list of skilled trades, visit www.edu.gov.on.ca and click on Skills Connect under "spotlight." Once at Skills Connect, look for the link to "Apprenticeship Opportunities" which not only lists skilled trades but also the basic skills and education required to be eligible to become an apprentice.

How do I get registered as an apprentice?

First of all, an apprentice has to be employed by a company participating in the apprenticeship program. In addition to the usual ways of finding that type of job - looking through job ads in newspapers and word-of-mouth - you can also contact your local Job Connect Centre.

These Centres - located in communities across Ontario - build strong networks with local employers and can help match you with a potential employer in your area. To find the centre closest to you, call 1-888-JOB GROW.

If you are a high school student, you should contact your guidance counsellor and ask about the Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program (OYAP). This program gives high school students, beginning in Grade 10, a head start by allowing them to begin their apprenticeship while still in school.

If you are about to graduate from high school, you may be interested in one of the new college co-op diploma apprenticeship programs that allow you to obtain your apprenticeship certificate and a related college degree at the same time. To find out which colleges provide these new diplomas, click here.

Once you find employment, your employer will contact the local Apprenticeship Office to arrange for a meeting with a Training Consultant who will outline how the program works and then help you take steps to register as an apprentice.

Throughout your apprenticeship, you will be working with a coach or mentor that will assist you in learning the skills of your trade.

As an apprentice, what are my responsibilities?

The responsibilities of an apprentice will be discussed in detail when you first meet with the Training Consultant to register your new apprentices. In general, the apprentice is responsible for:

• Reviewing the Training Standard with your supervisor on a regular basis to ensure the completed Training Units are “signed off” by you and your supervisor;
• Keeping an accurate record of the hours you have worked as an apprentice; and
• If for some reason you leave your employer in mid-program, obtaining a letter from your employer confirming the number of apprenticeship hours that you have worked.

For the in-class portion of the program,

• You must immediately confirm your attendance by phone or mail to the college or designated trainer and pay a fee to confirm you place in class when you receive the “Notice to Attend School” advisory; or
• If you decide not to attend this in-class session, you must contact your local office to reschedule the session.

In addition, you should contact your local apprenticeship office if:

• You have a change of mailing address;
• You are unable to complete all the Training Units in the Training Standard with your employer or sponsor;
• You begin working for a different employer or sponsor;
• Your plans to attend the in-class portion of your training have changed; and
• You have concerns regarding your readiness for the in-class portion of your training.

Where can I find more information?

To find general information on apprenticeship click here, contact your local Apprenticeship Office or call 1-800-387-5656.