What you Need to Know About Apprenticeships in Ontario

All the information below can be found on Ontario.ca’s website: https://www.ontario.ca/page/start-apprenticeship

You can talk to any one of our Employment Coaches to help you better understand this process, the benefits, and what your action plan could be.

First of all, what is an apprenticeship?

According to Ontario.ca, this is how apprenticeships work:

“As an apprentice, you learn a skilled trade on the job. You work with and learn from experienced workers, and get paid while you do it.

You also learn in a classroom from instructors who know the trade. This may take place on a college campus or in a union training centre.

For most trades, you work for a year and then switch to studying in class for eight to 12 weeks, either full or part-time. It takes between two to five years to complete an apprenticeship.”

Where do I start?

  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 (for example, have a valid social insurance number)
    • meet the educational requirements for your chosen trade
    • have a sponsor in Ontario
  2. Find an employer or sponsor. A sponsor is someone who provides you with apprenticeship training. A sponsor can be a single employer, individual (for example, a contractor) or a group of employers (for example, unions or non-union consortiums). How to find a sponsor:
    • Guidance counsellor: If you’re in high school, ask your guidance counsellor for advice and referrals for the Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program and other programs (Specialist High Skills Major, dual credit program.)
    • Colleges: Most colleges have a placement office, or can direct students to a career centre to help find apprenticeship opportunities.
    • Online: Visit the job bank to post your resume and availability for an apprenticeship in your chosen trade.
    • Employment Ontario (EO): EO offers employment services and training opportunities, like matching apprentices to sponsors.
    • Unions or trade associations: Many trades have unions or associations with resources to find and match apprentices to sponsors.
    • Local companies: Research local companies in the skilled trades. 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 hiring.
  3. Apply for an apprenticeship if you’re 18 years old or older. You can apply online. You must complete the application in one session. It takes about 10 minutes to complete. Before you begin the application process, make sure you have this information handy:
    • your information
      • social insurance number (SIN)
      • full mailing address
      • email address
        (The ministry will send notices about your apprenticeship training to this email address.)
    • sponsor’s information
      • full legal name (often different than the business name)
      • full mailing address
      • business phone number
    • sponsor contact person’s information
      • first and last name
      • phone number
      • email address
    • work arrangement details
    • save the application to your computer
    • fill out the application
    • print the application and sign it
    • get your parent or guardian and your sponsor to sign it
    • mail (or submit it in-person) the completed, signed application to your local Employment Ontario apprenticeship training office. We will review your application and let your sponsor know whether or not your application was approved. Note: You can change your sponsor later.
  4. Sign a training agreement: If your application is approved, the ministry will:
    • create a training agreement for you and your sponsor to sign
    • approve the signed agreement
    • register your apprenticeship training
  5. Register with the Ontario College of TradesOnce your training agreement has been registered, you have 90 days to apply for membership with the Ontario College of Trades.You must be a member of the College to work as an apprentice.Download the application form and read the application guide for apprentices to learn how to apply (PDF).