Editor SherifThere’s a lot of assistance out there for you if you decide to pursue a career in the trades! You can do it with the help of countless programs, resources, and individuals who sincerely want to see you succeed.
To help you get started in the skilled professions, here are some of the free Pre Apprenticeship programs in Ontario.
Free Pre Apprenticeship Programs in Ontario
1. Affiliation of Canadian Toolmakers and Machinists (CTMA)
If you’re eligible, the Canadian Tooling & Machining Association’s career-ready program offers up to 250 hands-on job experiences.
In order to help people improve their skills for great job opportunities in the precision metalworking sector including machining, tool and die making, mould making and building jigs and fixtures, automation/robotics, additive manufacturing and other related businesses. It is designed to help people increase their skills.
2. YWCA Hamilton
Pre-apprenticeship programs for women in trades are offered by YWCA Hamilton. These programs are free and give participants with technical training and job counseling to help them get started in the skilled trades.
They provide a variety of pre-apprenticeship programs, including the following:
Decorator (404C) Commercial/Residential Painter (404B) (23 week program)
Machinist in the broadest sense Niagara College’s Pre-Apprenticeship Program (Up to 16 weeks at Niagara College and assistance with an 8 week placement)
Electrician Niagara College’s Pre-Apprenticeship Program (Up to 16 weeks at Niagara College and assistance with an 8 week placement)
3. Masonry Training Center of Ontario
This free 28-32 week pre-apprenticeship program at the Ontario Masonry Training Centre teaches the fundamentals of brick and stone masonry, as well as refractory and repair.
In addition to providing safety instruction, it provides the opportunity to improve math and communication abilities through academic upgrading if necessary!
At least eight weeks or 280 hours of paid employment are covered in the program.
4. Colleges
For students who are interested in a career in skilled trades, pre-trades programs provide a comprehensive introduction to the skills and procedures employed in such fields. In an example course, you might find:
Electrical Machining in the Construction Industry
Carpentry, plumbing, welding, and other skilled crafts may also be included. In addition, students will gain a wide range of practical knowledge and abilities, such as arithmetic for trades, drafting and blueprint interpretation, and more.
The Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) or an equivalent is often required for pre-trades programs in Ontario colleges. Depending on the degree, more credits may be needed in English or mathematics from the 12th grade.
5. WEST Of Windsor
An all-female pre-apprenticeship class is offered by the Womens Enterprise Skills Training in Windsor. In the meantime, they’re offering an internship program for pre-apprentice CNC/Industrial Mechanic Millwrights.
WIST CNC Industrial Mechanic Millwright Pre-Apprenticeship Certificate Program is a 42-week course St. Clair College and UNIFOR are working together to administer the WIST program, which provides employment training and support to low-income women who are unemployed or underemployed, to acquire gender-sensitive in-class and on-the-job training to prepare them for employment in the trade..
6. Humber College’s Electrician Pre-Apprenticeship Program
Humber College’s Electrician Pre-Apprenticeship Program is a free, government-funded program meant to help students secure an apprenticeship.
Level 1 Electrician – Construction and Maintenance and exposure to domestic and rural applications will be provided to participants. As part of the training, students will receive one-on-one assistance with arithmetic skills that they have been struggling with.
A paid work placement of 8 to 12 weeks follows the 10-week curriculum.
7. Humber College’s Training Program for Female Horticulture Technicians
A pre-apprenticeship program for women in the skilled trades, the Horticulture Technician Pre-Apprenticeship Training Program for Women prepares them for work in the landscape industry.
Landscape building, grounds and golf course maintenance, park operations and garden care are typical jobs in this area.
To help students land a job, the program offers both academic and hands-on instruction.
8. Humber College’s Pre-Apprenticeship Program for Millwrights and General Machinists
Preparing for a career as a general machinist (429a) can be as simple as taking Humber College’s Millwright/General Machinist Pre-Apprenticeship Program. The Welding trade is also covered in the program, as well as support in finding a paid job.
9. Humber College’s Pre-Apprenticeship Program for Welding and Plumbing
At Humber College, a free pre-apprenticeship program in plumbing/welding is offered to help young people prepare for an apprenticeship in the field of plumbing. Participants who have attempted to pursue an apprenticeship but have run into problems due to a lack of prior experience will benefit from this program.
| Organization | Location | Primary Trade | Start Date | Contact | Phone | |
| Algonquin College | Ottawa | Cook (Indigenous Populations Focus) | Spring 2022 (TBD) | Cory Haskins | 613-727-4723, ext. 2558 | [email protected] |
| Centennial College | Scarborough | Automotive Service Technician | Admissions ongoing | Candice de Souza | 416-289-5000, ext. 52508 | [email protected] |
| Centennial College | Scarborough | Electrical | Spring 2022 (May) | Registrar Office | 416-289-5000, ext. 52390 | [email protected] |
| Centennial College | Scarborough | Truck & Coach Technician | Admissions ongoing | Candice de Souza | 416-289-5000, ext. 52508 | [email protected] |
| Conestoga College | Waterloo | General Carpenter Pre-Apprenticeship (for Women) | Admissions ongoing | Registrar Office | 519-885-0300 x5272 | [email protected] |
| Conestoga College | Waterloo | Welder / Metal Fabricator | Summer 2022 (June) | Registrar Office | [email protected] | |
| Conestoga College | Waterloo | General Carpenter Pre-Apprenticeship | June, 2022 | Registrar Office | [email protected] | |
| Conestoga College | Guelph | Coach / Heavy Duty Equipment Technician | Varies throughout the year | Registrar Office | [email protected] | |
| CPAC / Centennial College | Toronto | Electrician: Construction and Maintenance | Spring 2022 (April) | Jason Yi | 416-298-7885 x106 | [email protected] |
| Finishing Trades Institute of Ontario | Toronto / Ottawa | Glazier (Architectural Glass and Metal Technician) | Currently in session | Toronto: Mike Pentz; Ottawa: Registrar Office | Toronto: 416-635-7300 x154; Ottawa: 1-800-943-6210 | [email protected] |
| Humber College | Toronto | Electrician | June, 2022 – August, 2022 | Registrar Office | [email protected] | |
| Humber College | Toronto | Horticultural Technician | March 21 – July 15, 2022 | Registrar Office | 416-795-5561 | [email protected] |
| Ontario Masonry Training Centre | Ottawa / Mississauga | Brick & Stone Masonry | Spring 2022 | Registrar Office | 905-795-0770 | [email protected] |
| Pinecrest Queensway Community Health Centre | Ottawa | Child Development Practitioner | Ongoing | Fahma Khalif | 613-288-3880 | [email protected] |
| Seneca College / YMCA | Toronto | Child Development Practitioner | TBD | Josephine Muhaya | 416-491-5050 x26005 | [email protected] |
| Six Nations Polytechnic | Brantford | Welder | Spring 2022 (TBD) | Registrar Office | 226-493-1245 | [email protected] |
| Six Nations Polytechnic | Brantford | Machinist | Spring 2022 (TBD) | Registrar Office | 226-493-1245 | [email protected] |
| Six Nations Polytechnic | Brantford | Cook | Spring 2022 (TBD) | Registrar Office | 226-493-1245 | [email protected] |
| St. Clair College | Windsor | Brick & Stone Mason | Spring 2022 | Tina Fotopoulos | 519-972-2727 x4067 | [email protected] |
| St. Clair College | Windsor | CNC Precision Metal Cutting | Spring 2022 | Tina Fotopoulos | 519-972-2727 x4067 | [email protected] |
| St. Clair College | Windsor | Truck & Coach Technician | Spring 2022 | Tina Fotopoulos | 519-972-2727 x4067 | [email protected] |
| Technician Training Group / Conestoga College | Stratford, Clinton, Listowel | Welder / Metal Fabricator, Manufacturing, Machining, Trade Math | Clinton: April 2022; Stratford: July 2022; Listowel: August 2022 | Registrar Office | 519-801-8641 | [email protected] |
| The Career Foundation / Mohawk College | Hamilton / Stoney Creek | General Carpentry | TBD (applications ongoing) | Cory Herbert | 416-839-3514 | [email protected] |
| Trade Linx – United Way, City of Toronto and Labour Community Services | Toronto | Construction | Spring 2022 | Pina Trimarchi | 416-537-6532 ext 2251 | [email protected] |
| Tropicana / Centennial College | Scarborough | Auto Body and Collision Damage Repairer | April – November 2022 | Suad Dualeh | (437) 918-9249 | [email protected] |
| Unemployed Help Centre of Windsor | Windsor | Cook | Offered 3 times a year for 21 weeks | Registrar Office | 519-944-4900 | [email protected] |
| YMCA / YWCA | Ottawa | Home Renovation (General Carpentry) | Currently in session | Registrar Office | 343-996-1700 | [email protected] |
| YMCA-YWCA National Capital Region | Ottawa | Green Construction | Currently in session | Registrar Office | 613-219-9725 | [email protected] |
| YWCA | Toronto | Glazier (Architectural Glass and Metal Technician) | Contact coordinator for more info | Amina Shah | 416-964-3883 x268 | [email protected] |
| YWCA / Finishing Trades Institute of Ontario | Ancaster | Commercial Residential Painter | TDB (now accepting applications) | Deborah Schwientek | [email protected] | |
| YWCA Hamilton / Mohawk College | Hamilton | Electrician | TBD (applications ongoing) | Deborah Schwientek | [email protected] | |
| YWCA-LiUNA | Hamilton | Construction Craft Worker | Contact coordinator for more info | Deborah Schwientek | [email protected] |