Education · 1 of 5
The path
An 8,000-hour apprenticeship, about 4 years in Ontario. The first years are mostly machining.
- 1
High school diploma
Grade 12
Grade 12 math and any shop or drafting class. OYAP (Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program) lets Ontario students start apprentice hours in Grade 11 or 12.
- 2
Find a sponsor
Weeks to months
Mould shops, die shops and the tool rooms inside auto parts plants, mostly in southern Ontario. A 1-year college tool and die or machining program makes it much easier.
- 3
Register the apprenticeship
Days
With Skilled Trades Ontario, or your provincial trades authority elsewhere.
- 4
Work and study
About 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. Machining first, then grinding, fitting, heat treating and building complete dies and moulds.
- 5
Certificate of Qualification and Red Seal
After your hours
Pass the provincial exam and add the Red Seal endorsement. Eight provinces designate this trade for Red Seal, including Ontario, Quebec and BC; Alberta and Saskatchewan do not.