LEARNING IN ONTARIO
FAQs for Apprentices
- What is an apprentice?
- Why become an apprentice?
- How do I become an apprentice?
- What's involved in the registration process for apprenticeship?
- How do I know which skilled trade I'd be good at?
- Do I have to pay to be an apprentice?
- Does the government provide any supports or incentives to me as an apprentice?
- As an apprentice, what are my responsibilities?
- What if I don't like my boss?
- What if I get fired?
- How can Employment Ontario help me?
An apprentice is someone who learns a skilled trade on the job, under the direction of more experienced workers. Apprentices also complete classroom instruction as a part of their training. Apprentices are employees, and earn a salary while they learn a skilled trade
Want to get started? Take a look at the services for apprentices or contact Employment Ontario.
Why would I want to become an apprentice?
Skilled workers are in high demand in many industries.
Becoming an apprentice can be an important first step to learning new skills and building a rewarding career. Jobs in the skilled trades pay well, and are interesting and challenging. Plus, you can earn while you learn.
Want to get started? Take a look at the services for apprentices or contact Employment Ontario.
How do I become an apprentice?
To become an apprentice, you must find an employer who is willing to hire and train you. People who want to become apprentices usually apply directly to an employer, union or local committee.
If you're a high school student, the Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program can help you start training to be an apprentice while completing high school.
The Co-op Diploma Apprenticeship program can help students train as an apprentice while completing a related college course.
The Pre-Apprenticeship Training Program provides opportunities for people to learn trade-related skills essential to becoming an apprentice.
Several government services can help you get started in the more than 140 skilled trades that can be learned through apprenticeship training.
Want to get started? Take a look at the services for apprentices or contact Employment Ontario.
What's involved in the registration process for apprenticeship?
First, find an employer who is willing to train you. Then contact the Government of Ontario apprenticeship office nearest you and set up an appointment with a ministry consultant.
How do I know which skilled trade I'd be good at?
Choosing any career is a combination of matching your skills and interests to job opportunities. In Ontario, there are more than 140 skilled trades, ranging from auto mechanics to arborists, and from chefs to welders.
Visit the Life after High School section of this website for career planning help. Go to the Skills Connect section and follow the link to Apprenticeship Opportunities to find a list of skilled trades, plus the aptitudes, skills and education required for each one.
Do I have to pay to be an apprentice?
A $40 fee is usually required to register as an apprentice. No fee is charged if you are participating in the Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program.
Fees for in-class instruction are about $400 for eight weeks of instruction. There will usually be five of these instruction periods required during the apprenticeship, for a total cost of about $2,000. A fee of $100 is also required to write the Certification of Qualification exam.
There is no cost to participate in a Pre-Apprenticeship Training project.
Want to get started? Take a look at the services for apprentices or contact Employment Ontario.
Does the government provide any supports or incentives to me as an apprentice?
The government provides several supports that may help you.
If you're still in high school, you may be interested in the Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program.
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 for Tools offers all new apprentices a loan to help buy the tools and equipment they need for their trade.
Want to get started? Take a look at the services for apprentices or contact Employment Ontario.
As an apprentice, what are my responsibilities?
You will learn about your responsibilities in detail when you meet with a Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities training consultant to register as a new apprentice. As an apprentice, you will have responsibilities as an employee. You will also be responsible for things like tracking your hours, getting your training units signed off by your employer as you complete them, attending the in-class portion of your apprenticeship and preparing to write your exam (if any).
The Ministry of Labour's WorkSmartOntario website offers valuable information on your workplace safety, health and rights. See the How to Work Smart section for advice on how to talk to your boss. For more information, you may also want to look at What You Should Know About the Ontario Employment Standards Act.
As an apprentice, you have the same rights and responsibilities as other workers. See the Ministry of Labour's WorkSmartOntario website for valuable information on your workplace safety, health and rights. You may also want to look at the poster, What You Should Know About the Ontario Employment Standards Act.
How can Employment Ontario help me?
Employment Ontario is Ontario's employment and training network. We want to help you get the training, education, skills and experience you need to achieve your goals. We want to connect people looking for work with employers looking for workers. You can access Employment Ontario in three ways: by telephone, online or in person. Descriptions of Employment Ontario services are available in 23 languages. If you already know the kind of service you need, you can use this website to find services in your area.
