Recruitment
Explore more in this section
Key Tips
Rather than waiting for prospective apprentices to approach you about a job, employers who actively hire and train apprentices provide the following advice for those interested in attracting new hires:
- Connect with Programs in the Community
- Web-based Services
- Assess Candidates
- Conduct Orientation
- Evaluate Performance
- Review Recruiting Practices
Connect with Programs in the Community
Key Tip
Many local colleges offer pre-apprenticeship, co-op and/or diploma programs, with students actively seeking employment upon graduation.
Employers can connect with prospective apprentices through pre-apprenticeship, youth apprenticeship and/or co-op/diploma programs. While every jurisdiction’s programs are slightly different, this is a great way to find young people who have already begun to explore opportunities in the skilled trades.
Coordinators who administer youth apprenticeship programs often support employers by completing paperwork and ensuring there’s a good fit between employer and apprentice. Joint employer/union initiatives and local apprenticeship committees might also have a role to play when it comes to identifying candidates and offering training in foundational skills, doing much of the groundwork for employers looking to connect with apprentices. Many local colleges offer pre-apprenticeship, co-op and/or diploma programs, with students actively seeking employment upon graduation.
Web-based Services
Key Tip
Consider web-based services targeted to the skilled trades, as these may be more useful than generic job boards.
Web-based job boards are another option available to employers wishing to connect with apprentices. When using these services, employers specify their requirements and a search produces a list of candidates with the required skill sets. Consider web-based services targeted to the skilled trades, as these may be more useful than generic job boards. Once you have identified candidates, take the time to establish procedures that support the best possible outcomes.
Assess Candidates
Key Tip
Identify strengths and weaknesses that will inform your workplace training.
Spending time to assess apprentice candidates is a worthwhile investment. This is an opportunity to identify strengths and weaknesses that will inform your workplace training and establish whether upgrading is needed. Online assessments are available, though employers suggest they should be used only in combination with a face-to-face meeting.
Conduct Orientation
Key Tip
Apprentices who know where to go with questions or problems experience less frustration, and the company can deal with issues early.
Most employers have an orientation process to introduce apprentices to their company. The time devoted to orientation can range from a couple of hours to a few days, but this is a great opportunity to discuss safety, standards, hazards, processes, tool requirements, attire and performance expectations. The apprentice will also benefit from learning about the company history and corporate mission. Use this opportunity to review relevant apprenticeship policies and guidelines, as well as roles, responsibilities and expectations. Apprentices say they value knowing what opportunities exist to move up in the company and this can motivate a stronger commitment to training.
Orientation sessions have a number of additional benefits for both the employer and apprentice. Apprentices begin to absorb company culture early, including how to listen to and learn from experienced staff. This can be an opportunity to match apprentices with coaches or mentors, who have their own set of expectations. Apprentices who know where to go with questions or problems experience less frustration, and the company can deal with issues early.
Evaluate Performance
Key Tip
A majority of employers speak to the value of planning training and conducting regular performance evaluations.
A majority of employers speak to the value of planning training and conducting regular performance evaluations. This may start with something as simple as a clear job description. When an apprentice understands what’s expected of them, they are more likely to be successful. By checking in with both the apprentice and mentor, employers can establish progress toward the mastery of key competencies and ensure the apprentice remains challenged with new tasks.
Review Recruiting Practices
Key Tip
Employers suggest an internal review process to re-assess recruiting practices on a regular basis.
Employers suggest an internal review process to re-assess recruiting practices on a regular basis. By monitoring success, employers can determine which recruitment techniques work best for their companies. Weaknesses may also be evident if recruitment doesn’t attract a diverse pool of applicants. Conducting exit interviews may provide insight into areas for improvement.
Resources
Aboriginal Construction Careers
Provides guidance on how to set-up Aboriginal recruitment, employment, training or apprenticeship initiatives. The toolkit addresses the needs of employers large and small, urban and rural.
Aboriginal Labour Force Development Circle (First Nation) Shannonville, Ontario
Employers may access job-ready candidates and other supports.
Akaitocho Territory Government Fort Resolution, NWT
Employers may access job-ready candidates or other supports.
Akwesasne Area Management Board Cornwall, Ontario
Employers may access job-ready candidates and other supports.
Alberta Women Building Futures
Graduates of the Women Building Futures program are pre-screened, apprenticeship-ready, safety certified and well-prepared for work in a skilled trades environment.
Algonquin National Human Resources Sustainable Development Corporation Notre-Dame-du-Nord, Quebec
Employers may access job-ready candidates.
Anishinabek Nation (Union of Ontario Indians) North Bay, Ontario
Employers may access job-ready candidates and other supports.
Assembly of First Nations of Quebec and Labrador (Urban) Kahnawake, Quebec
Employers may access job-ready candidates.
Assembly of the First Nations of Quebec and Labrador Kahnawake, Quebec
Employers may access job-ready candidates.
Association for New Canadians
The Skills-Matching Database is an online recruitment tool where employers are able to post job openings for free, access online client résumés and find answers to immigration questions.
Athabasca Tribal Council Fort McMurray, Alberta
Employers may access job-ready candidates.
BC STEP Program
Trades Employment Specialists, who are qualified tradespersons, help connect employers with job-ready candidates. Once the connection is made, the Specialist continues to work as a liaison to ensure a successful match and address any issues.
BC, Industry Training Authority
The tool provides a database for employers to search for skilled, pre-screened, apprentice candidates. Employers looking for workers/apprentices who already have some time in the trade may search by trade and by level (1st, 2nd, 3rd or 4th year apprentice).
Bigstone Cree Nation Wabasca, Alberta
Employers may access job-ready candidates.
BladeRunners
All BladeRunners participants receive certified health and safety training, and learn life and job readiness skills. An employer provides a work placement for Aboriginal youth aged 15 to 30 and has the option to hire them after the program.
Building Futures for Youth
Employers can hire high school students for a work placement.
Calgary Catholic Immigration Society (CCIS)
Employers may reach out to CCIS when looking for candidates.
Centre for Aboriginal Human Resources Development Winnipeg, Manitoba
Employers may access job-ready candidates.
Community Futures Treaty Seven Siksika, Alberta
Employers may access job-ready candidates.
Council of Yukon First Nations Whitehorse, Yukon
Employers may access job-ready candidates.
Cree Regional Authority Kuujjuaq, Quebec
Employers may access job-ready candidates.
Dehcho First Nations Fort Simpson, NWT
Employers may access job-ready candidates or other supports.
First Peoples Development Inc. Winnipeg, Manitoba
Employers may access job-ready candidates.
Gabriel Dumont Institute Training and Employment Saskatoon, Saskatchewan
Employers may access job-ready candidates or other supports.
Grand River and Employment Training Inc. Ohsweken, Ontario
Employers may access job-ready candidates and other supports.
Gwich’in Tribal Council Inuik, NWT
Employers may access job-ready candidates or other supports.
Helping Immigrants Reach Employment (HIRE)
Employers may reach out to HIRE when looking for candidates.
High School Apprenticeship Program
Employers can hire high school students for a work placement.
Immigrant Services of Nova Scotia
Employers may access job-ready candidates.
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada
Practical advice on how to recruit internationally trained workers.
Inuvialuit Regional Corporation Inuvik, NWT
Employers may access job-ready candidates or other supports.
Job Bank
Advertise job postings and use Job Match to attract candidates who meet specific job requirements.
Joint Economic Development Initiative (JEDI)
JEDI is an Indigenous organization dedicated to supporting Indigenous participation in New Brunswick’s economy.
Kakivak Association Iqaluit, Nunavut
Employers may access job-ready candidates or other supports.
Kee Tas Kee Now Tribal Council Atikameg, Alberta
Employers may access job-ready candidates.
Kitikmeot Inuit Association Cambridge Bay, Nunavut
Employers may access job-ready candidates or other supports.
Kivalliq Partners in Development Rankin Inlet, Nunavut
Employers may access job-ready candidates or other supports.
Lesser Slave Lake Indian Regional Council
Employers may access job-ready candidates.
M.E.N.T.O.R. APPROACH
For journeypersons, management, operations and administration staff, this course teaches how to provide effective on-the-job mentorship, featuring a simple and easy-to-remember tool mentors can apply to every lesson. The M.E.N.T.O.R. Approach is a highly interactive session with multiple exercises to keep action-oriented tradespeople engaged.
Mamaweswen, The North Shore Tribal Council Cutler, Ontario
Employers may access job-ready candidates and other supports.
Manitoba Keewatinowi Okimakanak Inc. Thompson, Manitoba
Employers may access job-ready candidates.
Manitoba Metis Federation Winnipeg, Manitoba
Employers may access job-ready candidates.
Matawa Employment and Training Thunder Bay, Ontario
Employers may access job-ready candidates and other supports.
Mawiw Council Inc. Fredericton, New Brunswick
Employers may access job-ready candidates.
Metis Nation of Ontario Ottawa, Ontario
Employers may access job-ready candidates and other supports.
Métis Settlements General Council Edmonton, Alberta
Employers may access job-ready candidates.
Mi’Kmaq Employment and Training Secretariat Cole Harbour, Nova Scotia
Employers may access job-ready candidates or obtain other supports.
Miawpukek First Nation Conne River, Newfoundland and Labrador
Employers may access job-ready candidates and other supports.
Mi’kmaq Confederacy of PEI Summerside, PEI
Employers may access job-ready candidates or other supports.
Momentum
Employers may hire pre-apprentices for work placements to assess their skills. Employers may offer full-time employment to candidates after the pre-apprenticeship is completed.
Mushuau Innu Band Council Natuashish, Newfoundland and Labrador
Employers may access job-ready candidates and other supports.
Native Council of Nova Scotia Truro, Nova Scotia
Employers may access job-ready candidates or obtain other supports.
New Brunswick Aboriginal Peoples Council Fredericton, New Brunswick
Employers may access job-ready candidates.
Niagara Peninsula Area Aboriginal Management Board Ohsweken, Ontario
Employers may access job-ready candidates and other supports.
North Peace Tribal Council High Level, Alberta
Employers may access job-ready candidates.
North Shore Micmac District Council Eel Ground, New Brunswick
Employers may access job-ready candidates.
Northwest Territory Metis Nation Fort Smith, NWT
Employers may access job-ready candidates or other supports.
Nunatsiavut Government Makkovik, Newfoundland and Labrador
Employers may access job-ready candidates and other supports.
NunatuKavut Happy Valley, Newfoundland and Labrador
Employers may access job-ready candidates and other supports
Ogemawahj Tribal Council Rama, Ontario
Employers may access job-ready candidates and other supports.
Ontario Federation of Indigenous Friendship Centres Toronto, Ontario
Employers may access job-ready candidates and other supports.
Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program
Employers can hire high school students for work placements.
Options and Opportunities (O2)
Employers can hire high school students for a work placement.
Oteenow Employment and Training Society Edmonton, Alberta
Employers may access job-ready candidates.
Qalipu Mi’kmag First Nation Band Corner Brook, Newfoundland and Labrador
Employers may access job-ready candidates and other supports.
Registered Apprenticeship Program
Employers can hire high school students for a work placement.
Rupertsland Institute Edmonton, Alberta
Employers may access job-ready candidates.
Sahtu Dene Council Deline, NWT
Employers may access job-ready candidates or other supports.
Saint John River Valley Tribal Council Woodstock First Nation, New Brunswick
Employers may access job-ready candidates.
Saskatchewan Indian Training Assessment Group Inc. Saskatoon, Saskatchewan
Employers may access job-ready candidates or other supports.
Saskatchewan Youth Apprenticeship
Employers can hire high school students for a work placement.
Saskatoon Trades and Skills Centre
Employers may access job-ready candidates and offer work placements.
Schools North Apprenticeship Program (SNAP)
Employers can hire high school students for a work placement.
Secondary School Apprenticeship (SSA)
Employers can hire high school students for a work placement.
Secondary School Apprenticeship Training
Employers can hire high school students for a work placement.
Service Canada
Information about hiring foreign workers.
Sheshatshiu Innu First Nation Sheshatshiu, Newfoundland and Labrador
Employers may access job-ready candidates and other supports.
Shooniiyaa Wa-Biitong Kenora, Ontario
Employers may access job-ready candidates and other supports.
Sioux Lookout Area Aboriginal Management Board Sioux Lookout, Ontario
Employers may access job-ready candidates and other supports.
Six Independent Alberta First Nations of Alberta Hobbema, Alberta
Employers may access job-ready candidates.
Southern First Nations Secretariat Bothwell, Ontario
Employers may access job-ready candidates and other supports.
Supporting Employment & Economic Development (SEED)
Success Skills Centre can help identify individuals for employers interested in being part of an internship / work experience arrangement.
The Office to Advance Women Apprentices
Offers a registry of 200+ female tradespersons. Organizational training customized to employer needs and a coaching and mentoring model are further supports offered.
The PEI Association for Newcomers to Canada, Employment Assistance Service
Employers may access job-ready candidates or other supports.
Tlicho Government Behchoko, NWT
Employers may access job-ready candidates or other supports.
Trade HERizons PEI
Employers may access job-ready candidates or other supports.
Trade Journey, YMCA Saskatoon
Opportunities to hire female candidates with pre-entry trades training.
Tradeability The Candidate Manager Durham Region
Employers answer questions about the job they need to fill and candidates answer questions about their skills. Employers receive a qualified shortlist at the end of the process. Employers need only one posting to access candidates throughout the region.
Trades Winds to Success Training Society
Employers may offer work placements as part of the pre-apprenticeship program or may hire program graduates.
Tribal Chiefs Employment and Training Services Association Edmonton, Alberta
Employers may access job-ready candidates.
Tungasuvvingat Inuit Ottawa, Ontario
Employers may access job-ready candidates and other supports.
Wabun Tribal Council (Mamo-Nuskomitowin) Timmins, Ontario
Employers may access job-ready candidates and other supports.
Walpole Island First Nation Wallaceburg, Ontario
Employers may access job-ready candidates and other supports.
Welcoming Workplace Poster
This printable poster offers examples of best practices and actions items for employers who want to create a welcoming workplace.
Download PDF (2 MB)Western Cree Tribal Council Grande Prairie, Alberta
Employers may access job-ready candidates.
Wikwemikong Unceded Indian Reserve Wikwemikong, Ontario
Employers may access job-ready candidates and other supports.
Women in Resource Development Corporation
Works closely with operators, contractors and other employers to review and assess diversity policies and practices. Recommendations, customized tools and supports are provided.
Women Unlimited
Employers may access job-ready candidates and information about creating welcoming workplaces.
Yellowhead Tribal Development Foundation Enoch, Alberta
Employers may access job-ready candidates.
Youth Apprenticeship Program – Newfoundland and Labrador
Employers can hire high school students for a work placement.
Youth Apprenticeship Program – Ontario
Youth Apprenticeship Program – PEI
Employers can hire high school students.
Youth Apprenticeship Program – Alberta
Youth Apprenticeship Program – BC
Youth Apprenticeship Program – Manitoba
Youth Apprenticeship Program – New Brunswick
Youth Apprenticeship Program – Nova Scotia
Youth Apprenticeship Program – NWT
Youth Apprenticeship Program – Saskatchewan
Youth Apprenticeship Program – Yukon
Youth Employment Fund – NB
The Youth Employment Fund (YEF) provides an entry point to long term employment for unemployed individuals between 18-29 years of age who require a work experience opportunity as identified through their employment action plan. By placing an individual with an employer, the youth may gain work experience and develop skills through basic workplace training, mentoring and coaching (from the employer).