Apprenticeships

In today’s industry, there is a great demand for qualified individuals in a wide variety of occupations. In order to survive in the global market, industry must continue to meet the challenges offered by today’s technology. Therefore, highly-skilled individuals or journey persons with a combination of on-the-job training and in-school education obtained through apprenticeship programs are required to meet these challenges.

Apprenticeship training is an agreement between a person wishing to learn a skill and an employer who can provide the environment for skills training. The program is administered in Ontario by the Apprenticeship Client Services Branch of the Ontario Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities.

Both employers and apprentices benefit from apprenticeship training. Employers help create a pool of skilled workers who can help keep businesses competitive. Apprentices receive training that enables them to start their careers as skilled workers.

Skilled workers who have received their training in Ontario can work anywhere in the province. Agreements among the provinces and territories allow skilled workers in trades to work anywhere in Canada; these are called Red Seal Trades.

An Ontario apprenticeship will include the following:

• On-the-job training: The apprentice learns the appropriate skills of the trade while working under the supervision of a qualified tradesperson.
• In-school training: The apprentice learns the theory which supports all phases of the trade and relates this theory to practical projects that simulate typical work assignments.