Think you’ve found your trade?
The next step to becoming an apprentice is finding an employer.
You can choose one of three paths to Apprenticeship:
1. Find Employment and Register as an Apprentice:
- Use trade association websites
- Check general job boards: Jobbank.gc.ca / Indeed.ca / Kijiji / Craigslist
- Contact employers in your area
- Seek informational interviews
- Send résumés to office managers or human resources’ departments
- Use your personal network and seek a referral from existing contacts
- For further assistance in your job search, please register with The Career Foundation as a Job Seeker.
When you have found an employer who agrees to take you on as an apprentice, you can register as an apprentice with both the Ministry of Advanced Education and Skills Development (MAESD) and the Ontario College of Trades.
2. Apply for a Pre-Apprenticeship Training Program:
To learn more about the Pre-Apprenticeship Training Program, visit this page from the Ministry of Advanced Education and Skills Development.
Are you a current high school student? Look into the Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program.
3. Enrol in a College Program in the Skilled Trades
There are many community colleges offering certificate and diploma programs that expose students to the skilled trades. Community college is another way to enter the skilled trades, and can lead to apprenticeship and employment in the field.
Prepare to Job Search
Before you begin to speak with potential employers, make sure you have done enough research to understand the basics of the trade.
- What tools and machines are used?
- What are the educational requirements? Some trades require a minimum of grade 10 completion; others require grade 12 completion.
- Browse some sample job descriptions. Make notes about the duties required.
- What are the requirements to become qualified or certified?
- Are there busy seasons or slow seasons in the trade?
- What is the required ratio of apprentices to journeypersons?
- Are there different types of companies and industries in the field?
Online Job Search and Company Research
- Visit trade association websites.
- Look up businesses and contractors in your area.
- Study photos of completed jobs, if applicable, for your trade.
- Go through union web pages.
- Look at trade-specific job boards.
Informational Interview
If you find a company you might like to work for, but they haven’t posted any job openings, you can still reach out to them. Ask for an informational interview. You can use informational interviews to learn more about the company, different job titles, and the field. You may hear about the company’s plans to hire in the future. Your passion and professionalism can put you in a good position to get hired by the company, whether now or down the road. Click here for more tips about informational interviews.
Walk In / Email
Visit your local union office, or find the contact information for Office Managers or Human Resources of local companies, and send them your résumé by email, or hand it to them in person.
Networking
Make connections with people in the industry at events, trade shows, and training sessions. Use LinkedIn to look at the experience and employment history of other workers in your trade. Volunteer with your industry association, and at related events.
Referral
Get a personal referral to an unadvertised position. This can result from networking, an informational interview, or volunteering.
For further assistance in your job search, please register with The Career Foundation as a Job Seeker.
