Promoting skilled trades
and technologies in Ontario since 1989.

Resources

Common Terms and Definitions

What are technologies?

For our purposes, 'technologies' refer to sets of occupations that align closely with skilled trades and for which training can be secured through the college system, incuding occupations related to:


  • Architectural and Engineering Technology
  • Digital Media & Telecommunications
  • Energy, Environmental & Natural Resources

What is a skilled technology?

For our purposes, skilled technologies include high-technology disciplines that require a college diploma and face a current or looming labour shortage.

Apprenticeship

What is an apprenticeship? Apprenticeship is a hands-on training program for people who want to work in a skilled trade. Apprenticeship involves learning by doing. The apprentice enters into an agreement with an employer. About 90 per cent of the training is provided in the workplace by the employer; the remainder involves classroom instruction on theory which is usually given at a local community college or through another qualified training organization.

Apprentice

An apprentice is an individual working in an apprenticeable occupation, has a high school diploma or GED and has signed an apprenticeship agreement.

Apprenticeable Occupation

An apprenticeable occupation is a skilled trade that: 1) Is typically learned through a structured program of practical, supervised and on-the-job training. 2) Is clearly identified and commonly recognized through an industry. 3) Involves specialized skills and knowledge that require a minimum number of hours as directed by statute of on-the-job work experience. 4) Requires related instruction to supplement on-the-job training.

Sponsor

A sponsor is a firm, association, committee, or organization registered to train apprentices.

Standards

Standards are specifications of the necessary occupational tasks and competencies in an apprenticeship that are developed with industry input. Standards state the major work processes in a given occupation to be taught, the approximate number of hours that must be spent in each process and provide a template for the educational component of an apprenticeship.

Certification

Certification means that you have been issued a formal document that certifies or declares that you possess a set of skills, knowledge and abilities, usually received after completion of education/training/experience in the related areas.

Red Seal

Red Seal is a nationally-registered trademark symbol adopted for the Interprovincial Standards Program to signify interprovincial qualification of tradespersons at the journeyperson level. It is affixed to provincial and territorial Certificates of Apprenticeship and Qualification of those apprentices and tradespersons who have met the national standard in a Red Seal trade. The Red Seal is a passport that allows the holder to work anywhere in Canada without having to write further examinations.

FAQS For Students and Parents

Q. Why should I become an apprentice?

A. Apprenticeship training provides access to highly-skilled, well-paying jobs that demand a high level of judgment and creativity. The demand for skilled workers continues to increase and many workers use their apprenticeship experience as a stepping stone to careers in management or self-employment and/or owing their own business.

Q. Can anyone become an apprentice?

A. You’ll need a high school education. To be successful, it’s recommended that you have a strong foundation in math, science and communications.

Q. Can a high school student become an apprentice?

A. Yes, The Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program (OYAP) gives students who are at least 16-years-old and who have completed grade 10 the opportunity to complete high school while working part time as a registered apprentice. Students who are interested in the program should contact their guidance counselor, their technical director or the nearest apprenticeship office.

Q. How can I gain trade experience?

A. Having experience makes finding an apprenticeship easier. Some people grow up with family members in the trades and are able to gather experience in the family business. Others take co-op or OYAP to get hands-on experience while others gain work experience in companies or departments that may work alongside tradespeople. Sometimes general labor positions help to get a foot in the door. Apprenticeship is approximately 90 per cent on-the-job training. Transferable skills such as good communication, problem-solving and the ability to work with a team are very valuable for any apprenticeship.

Q. How can I become an apprentice?

A. Start out by finding an employer who wants to hire an apprentice; a good place to start is www.apprenticesearch.com. Once you’ve found someone willing to take you on, you or your employer will contact a training consultant at the closest Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities office or call 1-888-JOBGROW. The training consultant will meet both of you at the workplace to assess the employer’s ability to train. Once the consultant determines that a high standard of training can be provided, you and the employer will sign an apprenticeship contract, which registers you as an apprentice.

Q. How long does it take to train as an apprentice?

A. The length of time necessary for an apprenticeship depends on the trade. Each apprenticeship is approximately two-to-five years (similar to a university degree or college diploma) and is counted by a set number of hours.

Q. What does it cost to become an apprentice?

A. Apprentices and skilled workers pay fees for certain services and that fee varies depending on the trade, length of the apprenticeship, organization you’re apprenticing through, etc. For more details, talk to a training consultant at the Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities apprenticeship office.

Q. Is there financial assistance available for apprentices?

A. Yes, Service Canada has two grant programs available to apprentices: The Apprenticeship Incentive Grant (AIG) is a taxable cash grant available to registered apprentices once they have successfully completed their first or second year/level (or equivalent) of an apprenticeship program in one of the Red Seal trades; The Apprenticeship Completion Grant (ACG) is a $2,000 taxable cash grant designed to encourage apprentices registered in a designated Red Seal trade to complete their apprenticeship program and receive their certification. The completion grant will be offered to apprentices who complete their training, become certified journeypersons in a designated Red Seal trade and who obtain either the Red Seal endorsement or a provincial or territorial Certificate of Qualification. For more information contact the Apprenticeship Grants line 1-866-742-3644. The Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities also has $1,000 scholarships to help apprentices under the age of 25 pay for training. For more details, talk to a training consultant at the Ministry of Training, colleges and Universities apprenticeship office.

Q. What happens when an apprentice has completed training?

A. Apprentices must prove to their employer that they are competent in the skills described in the industry-set standards established for their particular skilled trade. Once an apprentice has demonstrated these skills and completed the required on-the-job and classroom training, they can write an exam for certification. A candidate must obtain a minimum score of 70 per cent to pass. Apprentices who pass are granted both a Certificate of Apprenticeship and a Certificate of Qualification, issued by the Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities.

Q. Does the government provide any supports/incentives?

A. Yes, there are a number of supports for people entering an apprenticeship program. If you’re still in high school, you may be interested in the Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program (OYAP). At the college level, there’s the Co-op Diploma Apprenticeship Program. If you’ve left high school before graduation, you may want to consider Pre-Apprenticeship training or Apprenticeship Scholarships. Academic upgrading is available through the Literacy and Basic Skills Program. Loans and Tools offer all new apprentices a loan to help buy the tools and equipment they need for their trade.

Q. Are all trades certified?

A. Not all trades are certified. While there are some trades that are compulsory, meaning that they must be practiced only by certified journeypersons and registered apprentices, many other trades have the option of certification.

Q. Why is it important to be certified?

A. Being a certified journeyperson is a real advantage in today’s workforce: it is proof that a tradesperson has all the training and skills needed to perform specified tasks. It also shows a strong commitment and dedication to your trade; certified journeypersons also have a better chance of being promoted and making more money.

Q. Who can employ an apprentice?

A. Only employers with a journeyperson on staff and those who adhere to all health and safety legislation are able to hire apprentices.

Entrepreneurship

Starting your own businesses can be a lot of work, and a risk, but it can also be one of the most rewarding experiences of your life. Once you have a great idea, you have a lot of options: the name of the businesses, location, whether you’ll have employees or be a sole proprietor and what makes your business different than the competition, to name a few. When it comes to business, it’s important to think outside the box, while delivering a fantastic product or service. With the energy of a good idea, developing a business plan, figuring out financing and conducting market research will be an exciting venture, one that you pour your heart and soul into. And its well worth it: the world needs innovative and industrious people to bring forward new ideas, new products and new levels of service.

There are many programs and incentives available to youth wanting to start their own businesses. Ask your guidance councilor or your local youth employment organization (if applicable) to find out if there are programs in your area.

For more information, visit the ‘Young Entrepreneurs’ page on the Ministry’s website

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