Education · 1 of 5

The path

A 4-year apprenticeship: on the job most of the time, with short college blocks.

1. 1

   High school diploma

   Grade 12

   Grade 12 math is the one that matters. Shop and drafting classes help. OYAP (Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program) lets Ontario students start hours in high school.

2. 2

   Find an employer to sponsor you

   Weeks to months

   Machine shops, aerospace and auto parts plants, mould shops. A 1-year college machining program makes you a much easier hire.

3. 3

   Register as an apprentice

   Days

   Ontario calls the trade General Machinist and registers it with Skilled Trades Ontario. Alberta and BC register through their own trades authorities.

4. 4

   Work and study

   4 years

   8,000 hours in Ontario: 7,280 on the job plus 720 in school, taken as three college blocks of about 8 weeks. You go from manual lathes and mills to CNC (computer numerical control) setup and programming.

5. 5

   Certificate of Qualification and Red Seal

   After your hours

   Pass the provincial exam. The Red Seal endorsement lets you work in any province.