Overview

What is a skilled trade?

A skilled trade is a career path that requires hands-on work and specialty knowledge. Skilled trades workers build and maintain infrastructure like our homes, schools, hospitals, roads, farms and parks. They keep industries running and perform many services we rely on every day, like hairstyling, food preparation or social services. Benefits of a career in the skilled trades include: in-demand jobs and great earning potential using cutting-edge technology being paid while you learn on-the-job many paths to advance transferable skills

What is apprenticeship?

An apprenticeship is a pathway to a rewarding career in the trades. As an apprentice, you take classes and learn your trade by working under the direction of experienced workers – and get paid while you do it.Find out how to qualify, find a sponsor or employer to hire you, or get money or grants to help you pay for apprenticeship training and tools.

Regulated Trade?

If a trade is “Regulated - compulsory”, it means that it is illegal to work in this job if you are not certified in the trade or registered as an apprentice with that employer.- If a trade is “Regulated - voluntary”, it is an option to become certified so that you can prove your breadth of experience to employers. You are allowed to do this work without being certified, but it is the employer’s choice whether they prefer to hire someone who can show proof of their experience (i.e. be certified, have certain Welding tickets, etc.)- If a trade has a Red Seal exam available, passing the exam means that all provinces in Canada will recognize your full certification in that trade. You will not need to re-certify if you want to work in a different province.