Education · 1 of 4

The path

A paid apprenticeship: mostly on the job, with short college blocks.

1. 1

   High school diploma

   Grade 12

   Grade 12. Math and shop classes help. Ontario students can start early through OYAP (the Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program).

2. 2

   Find a sponsor

   Weeks to months

   A tile contractor, a flooring company or a union hall that will register you as an apprentice. Many people start as a helper first.

3. 3

   Register the apprenticeship

   Days

   With your provincial trades authority: Skilled Trades Ontario (where the trade is called Terrazzo, Tile and Marble Setter), Alberta Apprenticeship and Industry Training, or SkilledTradesBC.

4. 4

   Work and study

   3 to 4 years

   About 5,500 hours in Ontario: 4,780 on the job plus 720 hours in class, usually three blocks of about 8 weeks at a college.

5. 5

   Certificate of Qualification and Red Seal

   After your hours

   Pass the provincial exam. Add the interprovincial Red Seal endorsement to work in any province.