FAQs
What kind of certification do I get?
Graduates obtain a certificate of Apprenticeship and are eligible to write their 309A Certificate of qualification. Graduates of the program at Algonquin College also meet the in-school vocational requirements to be eligible to write the Certification of Qualification for the 309A and 309C red seal licenses.
Can anyone take this course?
No. Applicants must be formally registered as apprentices, currently employed in the trade, and released by employers to attend the College. Eligibility is determined by the Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development.
Does the College provide contacts or leads for apprenticeship?
No, unfortunately we cannot provide contacts. A potential apprentice must find an apprenticeship on their own.
What is an apprenticeship?
An apprenticeship is a 3rd-party agreement between:
1. Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development (MLITSD)
2. Employer (sponsor)
3. Apprentice
What does an apprenticeship consist of?
90% on-the-job training – approximately 4 years
• Full time employment – earn while you learn!
• Provincial standard (per Apprenticeship Training Standards
• Gain confidence in defined skills
10% trade school – approximately 6 months
• Typically, 3 levels of school
• At a Ministry-approved Training Delivery agent (like Algonquin)
• At colleges, completion of trade school is recognized with Ontario College Certificate which can also lead to other credentials
How long will it take to become a journeyperson?
Depending on the trade, it takes about 2-5 years as an apprentice to become a certified journeyperson. About 90% of the training is in the workplace (4 years), the rest is at a training institution (6 months).
How can I start an apprenticeship?
Step 1 – find out if you qualify. To qualify for an apprenticeship, you must:
• Be at least 16 years of age
• Have legal permission to work in Canada (valid Social Insurance Number)
• Meet the educational requirements for your trade (Grade 10 for most trades)
• Have a sponsor
Step 2 – Find a sponsor. A sponsor is someone who provides you with apprenticeship training. It could be a single employer or individual (ex. Contractor) or a group of employers (ex. Unions or non-union consortium)
How to find a sponsor
- Guidance Counsellor: ask for guidance and referrals for the Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program or Specialist High Skills Major, dual credit program.
- Online: visit jobbank.ca to post your resume and availability for an apprenticeship in your chosen trade
- Employment Ontario (EO): offers employment services and training opportunities, like matching apprentices to sponsors.
- Local companies: research local companies. Try your local online resources, newspapers or other directories.
- Your network: ask around to see if anyone you know is in the skilled trades and if they are hiring or know someone who is.
What is the Interprovincial Standards Red Seal Program?
- Allows qualified tradespeople to practice their trade in any province or territory in Canada without having to write additional exams
- Complete an interprovincial Red Seal Exam
- To date there are 52 trades included in the Red Seal Program on a national basis
Why get your Red Seal?
Red Seal certification improves labour mobility by allowing workers qualified for work in a particular occupation in one jurisdiction to have access to similar employment opportunities in other areas of Canada.
Where can I find out more information about Apprenticeships?
Algonquin College offers apprenticeship training in a number of different program areas. Click here to view more information about apprenticeships at Algonquin College. To find out more information about apprenticeship as a viable pathway and how to start an apprenticeship, please click here.
If you’re interested in finding out more about how to start an apprenticeship in the skilled trades, please visit some of the useful links below:
What type of job can I expect and what type of work will I be doing?
Electricians lay out, assemble, install, test, troubleshoot and repair electrical wiring, fixtures, control devices and related equipment in buildings and other structures. Their salaries can range from $50+/hour. To get an idea of what a career as an entry-level Electrician looks like, check out this video on the Ottawa Construction Association Careers website. For even more career option ideas, visit the ocacareers.ca website.