Trades in Ontario

Ontario also has 141 recognized trades, of which 20 require mandatory certification. Use the links below to find out which trades require certification and which trades have voluntary certification. You can also learn about the training opportunities and services available to you across Ontario.

FAQs for Apprentices – answer questions about becoming an apprentice.

Services for Apprentices – The Government of Ontario offers services to help apprentices become certified in their field. Find out what services are available to you and where you can access those services across Ontario.

Mandatory and Voluntary certification – This link lists all the trades requiring certification and all the trades where certification is voluntary.

Writing your certification exam (PDF) – A guide for applicants who want to get an Ontario Certificate of Qualification in their skilled trades?

Career Maps

The Ontario Government has developed Career Maps for certain trades that explain in detail every step of the certification process.

• Automotive Service Technicians
• Construction and Maintenance Electricians
• Cooks and Bakers
• General Machinists
• Hairstylist
• Hoisting Engineers
• Industrial Electricians
• Industrial Mechanics (Millwrights)
• Plumbers
• Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Mechanics
• Sheet Metal Workers
• Tool-and-Die Maker

Bridge Training Programs

Bridging programs are intended to help qualified internationally trained individuals move quickly into the labour market by assessing their existing skills and competencies and providing training and Canadian workplace experience without duplicating what they have already learned. This is a list of bridging programs for trades in Ontario.

Construction Management for Internationally Educated Professionals

This program helps internationally trained individuals enter the Ontario construction workforce in construction management positions. It includes a workplace experience component to help participants quickly transition into a construction management job. Participants receive graduate-level training that builds on their internationally acquired education and experience.

Website: www.georgebrown.ca/Marketing/FTCal/buildtech/T403.aspx
Email: construction@georgebrown.ca
Telephone: 416-415-5000 ext. 4398
Location: Toronto

Programme Accès aux Métiers de la Construction pour les Immigrants «PAMCI»
[Access to Construction Trades Program for Immigrants “ACTPI”]

This program helps internationally trained individuals find employment in construction-related trades. The program offers practical and theoretical courses in specific skilled trades. It also provides participants with higher level French language courses, as well as occupation-specific language training in both French and English. Participants also receive assistance to get practical internships or apprenticeships. Mentorship and support in securing job placements or apprenticeships in construction-related trades are also provided.

Website: www.lacitec.on.ca
Email: info@lacitec.on.ca
Telephone: 613-742- 2493
Location: Ottawa

Trades Win Support Program

This program is for internationally trained industrial electricians, construction and maintenance electricians and industrial mechanics (millwrights). In addition, the program also serves internationally trained heating and air conditioning and refrigeration mechanics.

The program helps participants to successfully complete the Certificate of Qualification exams and find work in their field. It includes five-week employment preparation and trade-specific technical and workplace language training module; a six-week technical training module; and employment search assistance, mentoring and workplace experience.

Website: www.skillsforchange.org/move_into_employment/skilled-trades.html
E-mail: www.skillsforhire.org/sfcconnect/?id=17
Telephone: 905-595-1679 ext.103
Location: Brampton

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