Ontario has the largest apprenticeship system in Canada. In 2003-2004 there were 65,600 registered apprentices in the province, including 19,000 new apprentices. There were 24,800 employers involved in apprenticeship training and more than 10,000 apprenticeship Certifications of Qualification are issued each year by the province. Closer to home, Renfrew County had more than 500 registered apprentices in 2007.
In recent years there has been a considerable effort to encourage more young people to pursue a career in the skilled trades. Many trades are already facing a critical shortage of skilled trades workers.
Things you should know about apprenticeship training:
- Skilled workers are involved in almost every aspect of Ontario's economy and they're in high demand
- Over 150 occupations and careers in the trades exist in 4 major sectors: Construction, Service, Industrial and Motive Power
- Motive Power represents the largest group of skilled trades workers
- Apprenticeship training will require you to attend school, usually in 8 week blocks, however most of your training will occur in the workplace. The amount of in class schooling will depend on the trade
Benefits of becoming an apprentice:
- Earn while you learn. Much of an apprentices learning occurs in the workplace where they earn a pay cheque as an employee
- Entrepreneurial opportunities: Once a trades worker becomes certified, they often will start up their own business
- Excellent Pay: Trades workers are well paid and are in demand
- Certification: Trades certifications are recognized across Canada
- Scholarship Opportunities: Apprentices who return to school to gain the academic requirements to become an apprentice can now win a $1,000 scholarship through the Job Connect program
- Diverse Job Opportunities: Skills that you can build on and transfer into other trades
Who can be an apprentice?
To qualify as an apprentice you must be atleast 16 years of age. For most trades a minimum grade 12 education is required. While most construction related trades only require a grade 10 education, many employers will not hire apprentices unless they have their high school diploma.
How to become an apprentice?
The first step is finding an employer who is willing to hire you. Once you have an employer committed to training you, contact the Ministry of Training Apprenticeship Branch in Pembroke at (613) 735-3911 to register. A training consultant will then meet with you and the employer to sign a training agreement.
The Job Connect program is an excellent resource for young people interested in a career in the skilled trades. The program may be able to help you identify an employer interested in hiring an apprentice and may also provide some support to the employer that will assist with the training costs. To find out what Renfrew County Job Connect office is nearest you, visit the Contact Information section of this web site.
Apprenticeship Costs
- Registration: $40
- In school training: $400 per level of 8 week training blocks
- Certification Exam: $100
- Certificate Renewal: $60
Job Connect Apprenticeship Scholarship Program
Job Connect administers an apprenticeship scholarship program for the Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities. This program provides recipients with a $1,000 scholarship and also awards employers who hire scholarship students with a $2,000 signing bonus.
Scholarship Eligibility:
Must be under 25 years of age
Have left school before completing the necessary academic requirement for registering in a trade
Be committed to achieving the necessary academic requirements within one year of returning to school
Demonstrate an interest in the skilled trades
Employer Eligibility for Signing Bonus:
- Be licensed to operate in Ontario
- Provide employment opportunity in Ontario
- Must hire, train and register a scholarship candidate as an apprentice
- Be approved by the Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities to provide apprenticeship training
Apprenticeship Incentive Grant
The Apprenticeship Incentive Grant is a taxable cash grant of $1,000 per year. It is available to registered apprentices once they have successfully completed their first or second year or level of an apprenticeship program in one of the Red Seal trades.
The AIG is meant to:
- Help cover some of the tuition cost for apprentices, plus travel and tool costs
- Encourage apprentices to complete their apprenticeship program and get their Red Seal, which will allow them to apply thier skills and knowledge anywhere in Canada
Who can apply for AIG?
- A Canadian citizen, permanent resident or protected person
- A person who is out of the secondary school system
- A registered apprentice with an employer, training trust fund, union training centre, joint apprenticeship training committee, or apprenticeship authority
- Registered in a designated Red Seal trade in the province or territory where you are a registered apprentice
- Able to show progress within an eligible apprenticeship program by proving that you have successfully completed either the first or second year (level/block) based on support documents
For More Information:
Top
The Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program
OYAP is a school to work program offered in Ontario secondary schools. It allows students to complete co-operative education credits in apprenticeship trades. Students do not necessarily need to be registered apprentices to participate in OYAP, but this is one of the primary advantages of the program. Students who become registered apprentices can start earning apprenticeship hours before graduating from high school while at the same earning valuable work experience in a skilled trade.
Program highlights from 2002-2003
- 12,700 students participated in OYAP at more than 700 Ontario high schools
- There were placements in 80 skilled trades
- 2,155 OYAP students were registered as apprentices
What is the Red Seal program?
The interprovincial Red Seal program was established to provide greater mobility for skilled workers across Canada. The Red Seal program allows qualified tradespeople to practice their trade anywhere in Canada where the trade is designated without having to write further examinations. As of 2007, there are 49 trades included in the Red Seal program on a national basis which account for more than 88 % of all apprentices and more than 80 % of the total trades workforce in Canada. For more info on the Red Seal program, visit: http://www.red-seal.ca/Site/index_e.htm
Need more information?
Visit your local Job Connect office in Renfrew County or contact the Apprenticeship office in Pembroke. It is located at 169 Lake Street in Pembroke and can be reached by telephone at 1-800-807-0227 or (613) 735-3911.
