General Carpentry Pre-Apprenticeship Program
No tuition fee for eligible individuals who are looking for work.
Get classroom instruction and hands-on training in the General Carpentry Pre-Apprenticeship Program. You will learn trade-specific maths, workplace communication, and essential carpentry skills like framing, roofing, and finishing. You will also earn safety certifications in First Aid/CPR, Working At Heights, Ladder/Scaffolding, Confined Space and Asbestos Awareness. You will gain résumé writing and interview skills for employment.
Upon completion of the training components, you will engage in an off campus paid work placement, where you can apply your skills in real-world settings, supported by regular check-ins by Algonquin College Community Employment Services to ensure a successful transition into the workforce.
This training covers Level 1 of the General Carpenter apprentice process. Participants will receive a statement of achievement from Algonquin College; this is not a college certificate and does not carry any credit. Each participant must be ready, willing, and able to work at the end of the 26-weeks.
This 26-week program provides basic theory and hands-on training in carpentry.
- Program start: May 19, 2026
- Location: Algonquin College Pembroke Campus, 1 College Way, Pembroke
- Length: 26 weeks. Includes an 8 week off-site paid work placement.
- Time: Monday to Friday full-time program
- Training includes: Primary trade = Carpentry (basic theory and hands-on training for the construction field). Secondary trades = Introduction to Plumbing, Electrical and Welding.
- Tuition: No fees. This program is funded by the Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development.
- Books/Supplies: No fees. Textbooks, tools, safety equipment and required safety training are also included.
- Deadline to apply: Monday May 11, 2026.
- Download: 8.5×11 printable PDF flyer
Info Sessions
Join an upcoming info session for a program overview and application steps, choose to attend in person or by webinar.
INFO SESSION: General Carpentry Pre-Apprenticeship Program Overview & Application Steps
Monday April 20
10:00am (1 hour)
▸To attend in person in the CES boardroom (141 Lake St.), call 613-735-4308 to reserve your seat.
▸To attend the live webinar, sign-up here: April 20 webinar
INFO SESSION: General Carpentry Pre-Apprenticeship Program Overview & Application Steps
Thursday April 23
1:00pm (1 hour)
▸To attend in person in the CES boardroom (141 Lake St.), call 613-735-4308 to reserve your seat.
▸To attend the live webinar, sign-up here: April 23 webinar
INFO SESSION: General Carpentry Pre-Apprenticeship Program Overview & Application Steps
Monday April 27
11:00am (1 hour)
▸To attend in person in the CES boardroom (141 Lake St.), call 613-735-4308 to reserve your seat.
▸To attend the live webinar, sign-up here: April 27 webinar
INFO SESSION: General Carpentry Pre-Apprenticeship Program Overview & Application Steps
Thursday April 30
1:00pm (1 hour)
▸To attend in person in the CES boardroom (141 Lake St.), call 613-735-4308 to reserve your seat.
▸To attend the live webinar, sign-up here: April 30 webinar
Eligibility
Eligible applicants must meet the following:
- 18 years or older and have an Ontario Secondary School Diploma. 17 years old may also apply if they have their diploma.
- Currently unemployed or underemployed and not in education
- Resident of Ontario (Canadian Citizen or Permanent Resident)
How to apply: Request an application package
Reach out to request your application package today.
- In person: Visit Community Employment Services (CES) at 141 Lake Street in Pembroke (View on Google Maps). CES is not located on the Pembroke Campus.
- Call: 613-735-4308
- Online: Complete the “Start my application” web form below.
All applicants will be required to attend a pre-screening interview with CES Pembroke. Applying does not guarantee admission. Program seating is limited.
Deadline to Apply: May 11th, 2026
This is a Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development (MLITSD) project. This program is funded by the Government of Ontario and administered by Algonquin College.
Updated 13 April 2026
