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Key Tips
Career Awareness Programs
Key Tip
There are a number of career awareness activities for young people interested in learning more about skilled trades careers
There are a number of career awareness activities for young people interested in learning more about skilled trades careers. Across the country, trades awareness programs, camps and try-a-trade opportunities expose young people to trade skills and career opportunities. In general, these programs offer opportunities to use tools and technology to build things and solve problems. Some of these programs are designed to meet the needs of particular groups, including young women, Aboriginal peoples, immigrants or youth at risk, while others are open to all.
Pre-Apprenticeship Programs
Key Tip
For those interested in exploring the trades further, a pre-apprenticeship program provides opportunities to learn basic trades skills
For those interested in exploring the trades further, a pre-apprenticeship program provides opportunities to learn basic trades skills and typically includes safety training, a work placement and credit toward apprenticeship technical training delivered at a college or union training centre. Trades programs offered each year vary based on the region, organization and institution. Common components of these pre-apprenticeship programs include:
- academic preparation, including math courses
- essential skills
- safety training
- personal and professional development
- hands-on skills development
- exploration of various sectors
- potential job opportunities and the latest labour market research
- job shadowing
- support to find a new job and to start out in that new job
- employer contacts and interview preparation
Apprenticeship Programs
Key Tip
Apprenticeship is a work-based post-secondary pathway that includes both on-the-job training and technical training
Apprenticeship is a work-based post-secondary pathway that includes both on-the-job training and technical training. In most parts of Canada, apprentices spend 80 to 90 per cent of their time at the workplace learning from a journeyperson mentor, with the remainder at technical training usually delivered at an educational institution or union training centre. Apprenticeship programs are offered across the country in multiple trades. Programs range in length from 2 to 4 years. At the end of the training, apprentices write a multiple-choice examination. Individuals who achieve over 70 per cent earn a Certification of Qualification.
Searching For A Job
Key Tip
Apprentices must practice and develop their skills in a work environment, but finding initial employment can be a challenge.
Apprentices must practice and develop their skills in a work environment, but finding initial employment can be a challenge. Prospective apprentices should network and connect with local employers and/or ask pre-apprenticeship program providers how they connect graduates with opportunities to gain experience. Some labour unions offer pre-apprenticeship programs or do apprentice intakes, so it is worth doing some research on entry points into your trade. In addition to these routes, consider:
- Apprenticesearch.com ON
- Apprentice Job Match BC
- Job Bank
- Job Search Engines: Workopolis, Monster, All Star Jobs, Wow Jobs, Eluta, Indeed and Simply Hired
- Job Boards: Career Beacon, Working.com and Local Work
Resources
Aboriginal Community Careers Employment Services Society West Vancouver, British Columbia
Training and employment support is offered to Indigenous clients.
Aboriginal Labour Force Development Circle (First Nation) Shannonville, Ontario
Training and employment support is offered to Indigenous clients.
Akaitocho Territory Government Fort Resolution, NWT
Training and employment support is offered to Indigenous clients.
Akwesasne Area Management Board Cornwall, Ontario
Algonquin College
Trades programming for women is offered.
Algonquin National Human Resources Sustainable Development Corporation Notre-Dame-du-Nord, Quebec
Training and employment support is offered to Indigenous clients.
Anishinabek Nation (Union of Ontario Indians) North Bay, Ontario
Training and employment support is offered to Indigenous clients.
Apprenticeship Incentive Grant for Women
Arctic College
Trades programs offered
Arctic College
Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition (PLAR) Program for Internationally trained newcomers who wish to work in Canada.
Assembly of First Nations of Quebec and Labrador (Urban) Kahnawake, Quebec
Training and employment support is offered to Indigenous clients.
Assembly of the First Nations of Quebec and Labrador Kahnawake, Quebec
Training and employment support is offered to Indigenous clients.
Athabasca Tribal Council Fort McMurray, Alberta
Training and employment support is offered to Indigenous clients.
BC Federation of Labour
BC Centre for Women in the Trades.
BC Industry Training Authority
Trades training.
Boilermakers Apprenticeship Administration Agency and Boilermaker Education Trusts
Worksmart Pre-Apprenticeship Training Course. Download the brochure.
Bredin Centre for Learning
The Bredin Centre provides resources and supports to help internationally trained professionals, technicians and tradespersons secure employment in their field of training.
British Columbia Institute of Technology
Trades programming is offered for women and Indigenous learners.
Builder’s Code
Builders Code program.
Buildforce
Reliable labour market information, tools and resources.
Building Futures for Youth
Program consists of a competitive application and selection process, safety training at Nova Scotia Community College and a 5 to7 week paid summer work placement with a host employer in the construction industry.
Calgary Catholic Immigration Society (CCIS)
CCIS helps refugees obtain the necessary employability skills through one-on-one counselling and workshop classes. Pre-apprenticeship programs in trades such as cook and millwright are offered.
Camosun College
Trades programming is offered for women and Indigenous learners.
Canadore College
Programs in Trades. View the Trades Fundamentals program.
Cariboo-Chilcotin Aboriginal Training Employment Centre Society Williams Lake, British Columbia
Training and employment support is offered to Indigenous clients.
Carpenter’s Local 27
General Carpentry and Floor Covering Installer.
Centre for Aboriginal Human Resources Development Winnipeg, Manitoba
Training and employment support is offered to Indigenous clients.
Centre for Skills Development and Training
A job board and trades programming for women and immigrants is offered.
Centre for Skills Development and Training
Ontario Women’s Economic Security Program, Enhanced General Carpentry for Women Program.
Coast Salish Aboriginal Employment & Training Society Duncan, British Columbia
Training and employment support is offered to Indigenous clients.
College Boreal
Trades programming for women is offered.
College of the North Atlantic
Trades programming for women and immigrants.
Community Futures Treaty Seven Siksika, Alberta
Training and employment support is offered to Indigenous clients.
Conestoga College
Trades programming for women is offered.
Council of Yukon First Nations Whitehorse, Yukon
Training and employment support is offered to Indigenous clients.
Cree Regional Authority Kuujjuaq, Quebec
Training and employment support is offered to Indigenous clients.
Cumberland College
Women in Trades Program.
Dehcho First Nations Fort Simpson, NWT
Training and employment support is offered to Indigenous clients.
Employment and Social Development Canada
Trades-specific essential skills information and supports for improving your essential skills, including trade profiles with math and problem solving questions, a trades math workbook, essential skills workbook for the trades and a guide for preparing for the Red Seal exam.
Excel Career College
Practical Approach to Women in Trades.
Fanshawe College
Apprenticeship, pre-apprenticeship, Co-op Diploma, Techniques, and Diploma Programs
Finishing Trades Institute of Ontario
Painter and Decorator Pre-Apprenticeship.
First Peoples Development Inc. Winnipeg, Manitoba
Training and employment support is offered to Indigenous clients.
Gabriel Dumont Institute Training and Employment Saskatoon, Saskatchewan
Training and employment support is offered to Indigenous clients.
George Brown College
Trades programming for women is offered.
Government of Ontario
Bridge Training Programs help immigrants assess their skills and transition to employment. Trades occupations are included.
Grand River and Employment Training Inc. Ohsweken, Ontario
Training and employment support is offered to Indigenous clients.
Gwich’in Tribal Council Inuik, NWT
Training and employment support is offered to Indigenous clients.
Hammer Heads
A training program within the construction industry that offers apprenticeship career opportunities to the youth in under-resourced neighbourhoods in the Greater Toronto area. The program is comprised of safety training, hands-on skills development, mentoring and coaching.
Helping Immigrant Reach Employment (HIRE)
HIRE offers careers services and job support to immigrants, including supported referrals to First Aid, Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System, H2S Alive and Forklift Safety.
Holland College
General program with exposure to multiple trades.
Immigrant Employment Council of BC and BCIT
FAST BC (Facilitating Access to Skilled Trades in BC) is a resource for qualified, trained tradespersons. It provides information about trade standards and requirements, comprehensive competency assessment and information about skills gaps.
Immigrant Services of Nova Scotia
Employment supports are offered to immigrants seeking credential recognition and trades employment.
Inuvialuit Regional Corporation Inuvik, NWT
Training and employment support is offered to Indigenous clients.
Irving
The Pathways to Shipbuilding.
Joint Economic Development Initiative (JEDI)
JEDI is an Indigenous organization dedicated to supporting Indigenous participation in New Brunswick’s economy.
Kakivak Association Iqaluit, Nunavut
Training and employment support is offered to Indigenous clients.
Kee Tas Kee Now Tribal Council Atikameg, Alberta
Training and employment support is offered to Indigenous clients.
Kitikmeot Inuit Association Cambridge Bay, Nunavut
Training and employment support is offered to Indigenous clients.
Kitikmeot Inuit Association Cambridge Bay, Nunavut
Training and employment support is offered to Indigenous clients.
Kivalliq Partners in Development Rankin Inlet, Nunavut
Training and employment support is offered to Indigenous clients.
Kivalliq Partners in Development Rankin Inlet, Nunavut
Training and employment support is offered to Indigenous clients.
Ktunaxa Nation Council Cranbrook, British Columbia
Training and employment support is offered to Indigenous clients.
Ktunaxa Nation Council Cranbrook, British Columbia
Training and employment support is offered to Indigenous clients.
La Cite Collegiale
Trades programming for women is offered.
Lesser Slave Lake Indian Regional Council
Training and employment support is offered to Indigenous clients.
Lethbridge College
Pre-apprenticeship Welding or Electrical. Download the brochure.
Loyalist College
Trades programming for women is offered.
Mamaweswen, The North Shore Tribal Council Cutler, Ontario
Training and employment support is offered to Indigenous clients.
Manitoba Keewatinowi Okimakanak Inc. Thompson, Manitoba
Training and employment support is offered to Indigenous clients.
Manitoba Metis Federation Winnipeg, Manitoba
Training and employment support is offered to Indigenous clients.
Matawa Employment and Training Thunder Bay, Ontario
Training and employment support is offered to Indigenous clients.
Mawiw Council Inc. Fredericton, New Brunswick
Training and employment support is offered to Indigenous clients.
Metis Nation of Ontario Ottawa, Ontario
Training and employment support is offered to Indigenous clients.
Métis Provincial Council of British Columbia Surrey, British Columbia
Training and employment support is offered to Indigenous clients.
Métis Settlements General Council Edmonton, Alberta
Training and employment support is offered to Indigenous clients.
Miawpukek First Nation Conne River, Newfoundland and Labrador
Training and employment support is offered to Indigenous clients.
Mid Coast First Nations Training Society Bella Bella, British Columbia
Training and employment support is offered to Indigenous clients.
Mi’kmaq Confederacy of PEI Summerside, PEI
Training and employment support is offered to Indigenous clients.
Mi’Kmaq Employment and Training Secretariat Cole Harbour, Nova Scotia
Training and employment support is offered to Indigenous clients.
Mohawk College
Trades programming for women is offered.
Mohawk College – Apprenticeship
Programs and services are offered to immigrants, including pre-apprenticeship training.
Mushuau Innu Band Council Natuashish, Newfoundland and Labrador
Training and employment support is offered to Indigenous clients.
Native Council of Nova Scotia Truro, Nova Scotia
Training and employment support is offered to Indigenous clients.
New Boots: Progressing Women in Trades
A provincial network and resource hub that aims to promote, support and mentor women in non-traditional skilled trades in New Brunswick, such as: construction, maintenance, automotive, truck and transport.
New Brunswick Aboriginal Peoples Council Fredericton, New Brunswick
Training and employment support is offered to Indigenous clients.
Niagara Peninsula Area Aboriginal Management Board Ohsweken, Ontario
Training and employment support is offered to Indigenous clients.
Nisga’a Employment Skills & Training New Aiyansh, British Columbia
Training and employment support is offered to Indigenous clients.
North East Native Advancing Society Fort St. John, British Columbia
Training and employment support is offered to Indigenous clients.
North Peace Tribal Council High Level, Alberta
Training and employment support is offered to Indigenous clients.
North Shore Micmac District Council Eel Ground, New Brunswick
Training and employment support is offered to Indigenous clients.
North Vancouver Island Aboriginal Training Society Campbell River, British Columbia
Training and employment support is offered to Indigenous clients.
Northwest Community College
Trades programming is offered for women and Indigenous learners.
Northwest Territory Metis Nation Fort Smith, NWT
Training and employment support is offered to Indigenous clients.
Nova Scotia Community College
Trades programs for women and Indigenous learners are offered.
Nova Scotia Construction Sector Council
Industrial, Commercial, Institutional Construction.
Nunatsiavut Government Makkovik, Newfoundland and Labrador
Training and employment support is offered to Indigenous clients.
NunatuKavut Happy Valley, Newfoundland and Labrador
Training and employment support is offered to Indigenous clients.
Nuu-chah-nulth Employment & Training Program (NETP) Port Alberni, British Columbia
Training and employment support is offered to Indigenous clients.
Ogemawahj Tribal Council Rama, Ontario
Training and employment support is offered to Indigenous clients.
Okanagan College
Trades programming is offered for women and Indigenous learners.
Okanagan Training & Development Council Kelowna, British Columbia
Training and employment support is offered to Indigenous clients.
Ontario Federation of Indigenous Friendship Centres Toronto, Ontario
Training and employment support is offered to Indigenous clients.
Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program
A school-to-work program that allows students to explore and experience skilled trades career opportunities, starting in Grade 11 or Grade 12.
Option Femme Emploi
General program with exposure to multiple trades.
Options and Opportunities (O2)
A 3-year program designed to help students work toward a career or occupation. Students get supports that respond to their learning needs and linkages to the workplace and post-secondary destinations.
Oteenow Employment and Training Society Edmonton, Alberta
Training and employment support is offered to Indigenous clients.
PEI Association for Newcomers to Canada
Programs for newcomer skilled tradespersons, including certifications, training and international qualification recognition.
Prince George Nechako Aboriginal Employment & Training Association Prince George, British Columbia
Training and employment support is offered to Indigenous clients.
Prince George Nechako Aboriginal Employment Training Association
Women in Construction Program.
Qalipu Mi’kmag First Nation Band Corner Brook, Newfoundland and Labrador
Training and employment support is offered to Indigenous clients.
Red River College
English as a Second Language for Internationally-Trained Tradespeople
Other trades programming for immigrants is offered
Red River College
Indigenous trades programming is offered.
Red River College
Trades programs for women are offered.
Rupertsland Institute Edmonton, Alberta
Training and employment support is offered to Indigenous clients.
Sahtu Dene Council Deline, NWT
Training and employment support is offered to Indigenous clients.
Saint John River Valley Tribal Council Woodstock First Nation, New Brunswick
Training and employment support is offered to Indigenous clients.
SAIT
Southern Alberta Institute of Technology Pre-Employment Electrician Program.
Saskatchewan Apprenticeship and Trade Certification Commission and the Canadian International Training and Education Corporation
IMMSkills program is a skills assessment for internationally trained tradespeople who want to work in Saskatchewan.
Saskatchewan Indian Institute of Technologies
Trades program offered for Indigenous learners.
Saskatchewan Indian Training Assessment Group Inc. Saskatoon, Saskatchewan
Training and employment support is offered to Indigenous clients.
Saskatchewan Polytechnic
Trades programs for women are offered.
Saskatchewan Polytechnic
Trades program offered for Indigenous learners.
Saskatchewan Women in Trades and Technology
Mentorship program for women in trades and technology careers.
Saskatchewan Youth Apprenticeship
High school students may pursue trades training while also earning credits towards their high school diploma.
Saskatoon Trades and Skills Centre
Pre-entry trades training with an one week work placement.
Sault College
Trades programming for women is offered.
Schools North Apprenticeship Program (SNAP)
SNAP provides students who are interested in skilled trades with a way to gain valuable work experience while also attending high school.
Selkirk College
Trades Discovery Program for Women.
Sheshatshiu Innu First Nation Sheshatshiu, Newfoundland and Labrador
Training and employment support is offered to Indigenous clients.
Shooniiyaa Wa-Biitong Kenora, Ontario
Training and employment support is offered to Indigenous clients.
Shuswap Nation Tribal Council Kamloops, British Columbia
Training and employment support is offered to Indigenous clients.
Sioux Lookout Area Aboriginal Management Board Sioux Lookout, Ontario
Training and employment support is offered to Indigenous clients.
Six Independent Alberta First Nations of Alberta Hobbema, Alberta
Training and employment support is offered to Indigenous clients.
Six Nations Polytechnic
Women’s Economic Security Program and We are Welders Program.
Skilled Trades Employment Program (STEP), British Columbia Construction Association.
A network of 11 offices in the province connect employers in the construction industry and job seekers. Upgrading and financial supports are offered.
Southern First Nations Secretariat Bothwell, Ontario
Training and employment support is offered to Indigenous clients.
Status of Women, NWT
The Northern Women in Mining, Oil and Gas Project is a highly innovative pilot project that is specifically designed to determine if the number of northern women in industrial/trades occupations can be significantly increased through a dedicated and strategic information and training initiative. Pre-entry trades training is offered to women.
Sto:Lo Aboriginal Skills & Employment Training Chilliwack, British Columbia
Training and employment support is offered to Indigenous clients.
Success Skills Centre
Internationally Trained Professionals/ Skilled Workers Bridging Stream Program
Supporting Employment & Economic Development (SEED)
Recognition Counts is a program providing supports to skilled immigrants wishing to work in their fields of expertise in Manitoba.
Syncrude Aboriginal Trades Preparation Program
To provide training to Indigenous clients from the Wood Buffalo Region who are interested in working in trades, upgrading their education and meeting the qualifications to be a Syncrude employee.
Techsploration
Explore careers in science, trades, and technology.
Thompson Rivers University
Trades programming is offered for women and Indigenous learners.
Tlicho Government Behchoko, NWT
Training and employment support is offered to Indigenous clients.
Toronto Region Immigrant Employment Council
Helps immigrants find meaningful employment that matches their education, skills and experience. Immigrants can gain industry insights, professional contacts and job search support from professionals in their field.
Trade HERizons
During the 16 week program, women are guided through an extensive learning opportunity that prepares them for jobs in the plumbing, electrical and carpentry industries. The students spend 13 weeks learning through classroom and hands-on activities at both the YWCA and Saskatchewan Polytechnic before moving to three-week job placements as part of the program.
Trades Winds to Success Training Society
The program recruits Indigenous people residing in Alberta who have an interest in pursuing training in the boilermaker, carpenter, electrician, ironworker, millwright, plumber, steamfitter/pipefitter, welder and insulator trades. The Society offers a sixteen week pre-apprenticeship program.
Tradeswork Training Society (part of a BC ITA women’s initiative)
Trades programming is offered for women.http://tradeworks.bc.ca/
Tribal Chiefs Employment and Training Services Association Edmonton, Alberta
Training and employment support is offered to Indigenous clients.
TRICORP Prince Rupert, British Columbia
Training and employment support is offered to Indigenous clients.
Tungasuvvingat Inuit Ottawa, Ontario
Training and employment support is offered to Indigenous clients.
UA Local 67 Brantford
Programs offered in welding and plumbing for women.
UA Piping Industry College
Trades programming is offered for women and Indigenous learners.
Vancouver Island University
Trades programming is offered for women and Indigenous learners.
Wabun Tribal Council (Mamo-Nuskomitowin) Timmins, Ontario
Training and employment support is offered to Indigenous clients.
Walpole Island First Nation Wallaceburg, Ontario
Training and employment support is offered to Indigenous clients.
Western Cree Tribal Council Grande Prairie, Alberta
Training and employment support is offered to Indigenous clients.
Wikwemikong, Ontario
Training and employment support is offered to Indigenous clients.
Women Building Futures
Women Building Futures is a leader in trades training for women, with extensive experience recruiting women into the heavy industrial workforce at a consistent employment placement rate of 90 per cent.
Women in Resource Development Corporation
General program with exposure to multiple trades.
Women Unlimited
The Career Exploration Program is a free, 14-week program that allows women to explore their interests in the trades or technologies.
Women’s Enterprise Skills Training of Windsor Inc.
Programs offered in mechanical millwright for women.
Working Women Community Centre
Programs and Services.
Yellowhead Tribal Development Foundation Enoch, Alberta
Training and employment support is offered to Indigenous clients.
YMCA Ottawa
Programs and services are offered to immigrants, including pre-apprenticeship programs.
YMCA Toronto
Employment programs and services are offered to immigrants. Trades occupations are included.
Youth Apprenticeship Program
High school students earn hours and credits towards their apprenticeship while also earning their high school diploma.
Yukon College
General program with exposure to multiple trades.
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