Education · 1 of 4

The path

A paid apprenticeship. Ontario's is one of the longest in the trades at 9,000 hours.

1. 1

   High school diploma

   Grade 12

   Grade 12 math, physics and shop. A welding class is a real advantage.

2. 2

   Find a sponsor

   Weeks to months

   A mechanical contractor or a union hall. Pre-apprenticeship college programs and union intake exams are the usual way in.

3. 3

   Register the apprenticeship

   Days

   With Skilled Trades Ontario, Alberta Apprenticeship and Industry Training, or SkilledTradesBC.

4. 4

   Work and study

   4 to 5 years

   9,000 hours in Ontario (8,280 on the job plus 720 in class over three blocks). Alberta runs 4 years of about 1,560 hours plus 8 weeks of school each.

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.