Start an apprenticeship

Find out how you qualify and apply to be an apprentice in a skilled trade.

Already checked to see if you qualify? Apply for apprenticeship

Looking for a sponsor or employer? Visit the job bank

How apprenticeship works

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.

Get help and advice

If you need help or advice at any point before, during or after your apprenticeship, contact Employment Ontario or get help in person at an apprenticeship office near you.

  • 25,000
    employer sponsors in 2016-17
  • 70
    in-class training sites
  • 1 in 5
    new jobs between 2017 to 2021 will be trades-related

Explore the trades

Trades fall into the following sectors:

View the full list of designated trades.

Search trades-related job profiles to see what’s in demand, how much you can earn, education requirements and more.

How to prepare for an apprenticeship

Get free pre-apprenticeship training in eligible trades and take college courses in a skilled trade.

Find more information on how to prepare for apprenticeship.

If you’re in high school

Talk to your teachers and guidance counsellors to help you:

How to start an apprenticeship

  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

    Due to system maintenance, the online apprenticeship application, sponsor change request and tools grant application will be unavailable from 4:00 p.m. to 9 p.m. on July 29th, 2021.

    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
      • start date with the sponsor
      • number of work and training hours per week

    If you’re 16 to 17 years old

    You must download a paper application.

    • 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 Trades

    Once 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).

Money for apprentices

There are many provincial and federal supports for apprentices, including:

Tools grant

A new, non-repayable tools grant is available for apprentices as of August 2020.

As an apprentice, this grant will help you pay for tools and equipment for your trade.

The amount of the grant depends on which trade sector you’re apprenticing in. The grant amounts are as follows:

  • $1,000 for motive power sector trades
  • $600 for construction sector trades
  • $600 for industrial sector trades
  • $400 for service sector trades

View the full list of trades by sector.

To qualify for the grant, you must have:

  • completed or been exempted from level one in-class training, on or after April 1, 2020
  • a registered training agreement
  • been registered as an apprentice for at least 12 months

How to apply

We will send an email with an application link to all apprentices who are eligible to apply for this provincial grant.

You can also apply online if you believe you qualify for the grant.

For any questions about the tools grant, contact Employment Ontario.

Grant for full-time study

Most trades require you to do two or three levels of classroom training during an apprenticeship. Each level lasts eight to 12 weeks, depending on the trade. You can take these classes on a part-time or full-time basis.

Some people can get Employment Insurance (EI) for financial support while studying full-time.

If you do not qualify for EI, you can apply for a grant of up to $3,600.

To qualify for the grant, you must have:

  • attended class on a full-time basis
  • passed the level of classroom instruction at an approved facility ( for example, college or union training centre)
  • registered as an apprentice with the ministry

We will send you a grant application when you complete one level of your classroom training. You have 180 days from the last day of class for that particular level to apply.

How to complete an apprenticeship

When you are finished your training as an apprentice, you will get a Certificate of Apprenticeship.

To obtain the Certificate of Apprenticeship, you and your sponsor have a few tasks to complete.

For certain trades, you will also need to complete an exam to get a Certificate of Qualification.

Find out more about how to finish your apprenticeship, and what comes next.

Updated: July 26, 2021