SKILLED TRADES FOR CAREER SEEKERS
Working in the construction trades offers high job security, excellent pay that often rivals or exceeds college-degree jobs, and strong, transferable skills learned through paid, on-the-job training without accumulating debt. It is a physically active, non-monotonous career that provides immediate, tangible satisfaction through tangible projects.
Apprenticeships
A construction trade apprenticeship is a structured, paid training program that combines 80-90% on-the-job training with 10-20% classroom instruction to prepare individuals for a career as a certified skilled tradesperson. Apprentices work under experienced journeypersons, learning skills such as carpentry, plumbing, or electrical work, while earning wages that increase as they gain competency. The goal of an apprenticeship is to gain enough proficiency in your trade to 'challenge' the examination to become 'Red Seal' certified. A Red Seal certified tradesperson is known as a journeyperson.
Apprentice and Journeyperson Wages and Benefits
While apprenticing, your wages increase progressively year-over-year. Below is an example of a typical wage schedule for construction trades, this one excerpted from the Ontario Provincial Collective Agreement between the carpenters union (UBCJA) and the Carpenters' Employer Bargaining Agency (wages and benefits can vary significantly from trade to trade):
How do I become an Apprentice?
The process of becoming an skilled trades apprentice is different in Quebec than it is in the rest of Canada:
Quebec:
In Quebec, the typical route involves:
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First obtaining a Diploma of Vocational Studies (DEP) in your chosen trade at a recognized vocational training centre, which can take from 6 months to 2 years depending on the trade.
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After the DEP is received, you may obtain a "Santé et sécurité générale sur les chantiers de construction" safety card, find an employer to hire you, and register with the Commission de la construction du Québec (CCQ) to obtain an apprentice competency certificate.
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Once the certificate is received you'll have several months of on-the-job training interspersed with in-class training lasting between 6 and 12 weeks, depending on the trade.
Rest of Canada:
In the rest of Canada, the usual route to a skilled construction trades apprenticeship involves:
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Find an employer that agrees to 'sponsor' your apprenticeship i.e. hire you.
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Register as an apprentice by signing an apprenticeship agreement with your provincial labour ministry.
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Initial safety and other training, followed by several months of on-the-job training interspersed with in-class training lasting between 6 and 12 weeks, depending on the trade.
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Journeyperson after two to five+ years, depending on the trade.
Financial Assistance: ISETs
Indigenous Skills and Employment Training (ISET) funding agreement holders can provide financial and other assistance for skilled trades training and academic upgrading. Eligible expenses can include:
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Tuition/training fees
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Books
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Tools
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Safety clothing and personal protective equipment (PPE) such as safety boots.
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Cell phones
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Drivers license training fees
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Laptop
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Bus pass/parking pass
For more information and to apply for funding contact the ISET serving your community:
Construction Trades Resources
Below are some resources to to assist you in your exploration of the construction skilled trades:
Next Steps
For more information and to answer any question you might have about the skilled trades in the construction industry, contact us at info@akirecruiters.com, or (613) 276-8375.