How to Get an Apprenticeship: A Step-by-Step Guide

Wondering how to get an apprenticeship in Ontario? An apprenticeship opens the door to a rewarding career in the skilled trades. And skilled trades aren't just about carpentry or plumbing—they include jobs like manufacturing engineering and electromechanical engineering. While skilled trades are high-paying, in-demand jobs, misconceptions about the trades have discouraged people from pursuing a trade for years which has caused a shortage of workers as baby boomers begin to retire. The good news is that this makes the trades an exciting and accessible career for many young people or people looking to retrain for a new career.

Steps to Getting an Apprenticeship

The Don Crich Skilled Trades Accelerator at Fanshawe is the best place to start when considering an apprenticeship. The purpose of the accelerator is to provide information about apprenticeships for those considering an apprenticeship as well as those seeking apprentices.

1. Research trades and uncover your interests

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In Ontario, there are over 140 skilled trades to choose from. With so many options, it can be difficult to know what’s right for you. Whether you’ve determined your area of interest or want to explore all your options, Skilled Trades Ontario’s website has a listing of all 140+ trades and includes a description for each, as well as identifying Red Seal trades.
 

Fanshawe’s Pathfinder tool can help you uncover your interests. It includes apprenticeship programs as well as other programs and will identify the programs that might suit you based on your responses. Take the Pathfinder Quiz!

Once you’ve identified the trade of your dreams, proceed to the next step!

1.5. Consider a Pre-Apprenticeship

Are you thinking about getting into the trades or are a high school student interested in exploring the trades? Pre-apprenticeships are free courses you can take to help you gain the skills needed to get hired as an apprentice. You can find Pre-Apprenticeship information here and check out Fanshawe's pre-apprenticeship opportunities.

You may also find one of our preparatory programs is a good place to start to build foundational knowledge in a wider breadth of topics and explore things you might be most interested in before starting an apprenticeship.

2. Determine if you qualify for an apprenticeship

How do you determine if you qualify? It’s easy. You just need to be at least 16 years old, have legal permission to work in Canada, meet educational requirements and have a sponsor (this is our next step).

Legal Permission to Work in Canada

If you’re a Canadian citizen or permanent resident, you can work in Canada!

If you’re not a Canadian citizen or permanent resident, learn more about work permits to determine if an apprenticeship is right for you.

Educational Requirements

How do you know if you meet the educational requirements for your chosen trade?

Most Apprenticeships require a high school diploma or equivalent.

Find your trade on Skilled Trades Ontario and review the documentation, including the Apprenticeship Training Standard, to see if there are additional requirements.

Get Help with Educational Requirements

Not sure if you meet the educational requirements? The Don Crich Skilled Trades Accelerator can help you figure out what credentials you might still need, if any, and help you plan a pathway toward securing those credentials.

3. Secure a sponsor or employer

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Now it’s time to find a sponsor or an employer within your field. You don’t necessarily need to work within your trade to get an apprenticeship, but it’s the path most people choose to follow since it’s easier to progress through the in-class portion of an apprenticeship if you already have foundational knowledge of your trade.

How to get a sponsorship or employer for your apprenticeship

Landing that perfect apprenticeship is all about making connections. Here are some key strategies to find a sponsor or employer who's a great fit:

• Network: Talk to people in your desired trade! Connect with local companies, existing apprentices, or trades workers. They might have inside knowledge of companies looking for apprentices.
• Research: Look for local skilled trades companies online to see if they're hiring or interested in sponsoring an apprentice.
• Job Boards: Regularly check online job boards for apprenticeship postings.
• Employment Ontario: Employment Ontario offers a service that can help match apprentices to sponsors.
• Unions: Many trades have unions that can connect you with potential sponsors.
• Guidance/Career Counsellors: Counsellors or career centres can offer advice and may be able to connect you with programs or organizations specializing in apprenticeship placement.
• Colleges: Fanshawe’s Skilled Trades Accelerator will provide you with the resources you need to learn about your trade of choice and things you need to know in order to find an employer or sponsor.

Who might sponsor or employ you during your apprenticeship?

• A small business owner or contractor
• A larger company
• Trade union
• Non-profit organization
• A consortium, or a group of employers who come together to sponsor apprentices and provide them with a broad range of work experience

4. Apply

Now that you’ve got an employer or sponsor for your apprenticeship, you can apply for your apprenticeship through Skilled Trades Ontario’s online portal as long as you are over 18. If you’re 16 or 17, you’ll need to complete a paper application.

5. Complete your training agreement with your sponsor or employer

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Once your application is approved, the ministry will provide you with a training agreement that both you and your sponsor will sign so the ministry can approve your training agreement. If your apprenticeship is in a compulsory trade and you are over 18, your name will be added to the Skilled Trades Ontario Public Register.
 

Once you’ve completed these steps, you’ll be an apprentice in your selected trade! You’ll have an opportunity to complete your in-class training and learn from an experienced industry professional.

Remember, if you need help along the way, reach out to the Don Crich Skilled Trades Accelerator at Fanshawe