Education · 1 of 4
The path
A paid apprenticeship, shorter than plumbing or steamfitting.
- 1
High school diploma
Grade 12
Grade 12 with math. Shop or construction classes help.
- 2
Find a sponsor
Weeks to months
A fire protection contractor, or apply through the union hiring hall. In Ontario UA (the plumbers and pipefitters union) Local 853 runs intake for apprentices.
- 3
Register the apprenticeship
Days
With Skilled Trades Ontario or your provincial trades authority.
- 4
Work and study
About 4 years
7,200 hours in Ontario (6,480 on the job plus 720 in class, over three levels) covering pipe, hydraulics, fire codes and system design. Alberta runs 4 years: 1,600 hours on the job plus 8 weeks of school in each of the first 3, then 1,800 hours in the fourth.
- 5
Certificate of Qualification and Red Seal
After your hours
Pass the provincial exam, then add the Red Seal endorsement to work anywhere in Canada.