Future Apprentices

Hands-on learning for in-demand jobs, find out what apprenticeship pathway is right for you.

What is an apprenticeship?

Apprenticeship training is an agreement between an individual wishing to learn a skill “the apprentice” and an employer “apprentice trainer” who can provide the environment for skills trades training. The apprentice develops their skills on the job while working towards the required number of industry standard hours alongside the employer. Once they achieve a specific skill level or number of hours the apprentice attends training through an approved Training Delivery Agent such as Mohawk College. This process is supervised and administered by the Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development.

Career Profiles

View the entire playlist on YouTube.

An Ontario Apprenticeship includes:

  • On-The-Job Training: The apprentice learns the appropriate skills of the trade while working with and under the supervision of a qualified journeyperson.
  • In-School Training: The apprentice learns the theory which supports all phases of the trade and relates this theory to practical projects that simulate typical work assignments.

Graduates in Demand

  • Mohawk annually serves 2,900 apprenticeship students and is one of the largest trainers of apprentices in Ontario
  • Apprenticeship provides hands-on experience; however, apprenticeship programs require “in school” training to ensure a comprehensive training experience.
  • Completing your in-school apprenticeship training with Mohawk will earn you an Ontario College Certificate. This certificate opens pathways to future educational opportunities.
  • The state-of-the-art facilities and high skilled faculty Mohawk's Marshall School of Skilled Trades & Apprenticeship provides employer recognized, in-class apprenticeship training.
  • In today's workforce, there is a great demand for qualified individuals in a wide variety of occupations. To remain competitive in the global market, industries must continue to meet the challenges offered by today's technology and ensure skilled trades are training in real world scenarios. Therefore, highly skilled individuals or journeypersons with a combination of on-the-job training and in-school education obtained through apprenticeship programs are required to meet these challenges.

Learn more about the journey to become an apprentice with the Apprenticeship Toolkit!

How to become an apprentice

There are four ways of entering a skilled trade in Ontario, read below to find out what option works best for you.

College Certificate or Diploma

Develop the skills to enter the workforce.

Traditional Apprenticeship

Head straight to the workforce.

Pre-Apprenticeship Training Program

Find out if you are eligible.

Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program (OYAP)

Start in highschool.

Not sure if an apprenticeship is right for you?

Mohawk College offers a variety of programs that support various ways of studying and skill development. Meet with an educational advisor or Apprenticeship Specialist and explore our offerings to find something that works for you.

Not sure which program or career is right for you? Try our career tools to complete a free online skills assessment, visit apprenticesearch and Careers in Trades to explore Ontario trades or contact Community Employment Services to complete labour market research and learn about what skills are in demand.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I get an apprenticeship?

Apprenticeship training is an agreement between a person wishing to learn a skill and an employer who can provide the environment for skills training. It is administered By Skilled Trades Ontario through the ministry of Labour, Training & Skills Development.

In today's industry, there is a great demand for qualified individuals in a wide variety of occupations. In order to survive in the global market, industry must continue to meet the challenges offered by today's technology. Therefore, highly-skilled individuals or journeypersons with a combination of on-the-job training and in-school education obtained through apprenticeship programs are required to meet these challenges.

How do I find an employer?

Find an employer who is willing to train you in your preferred trade.

Note: If you are age 25 or less, Mohawk’s Community Employment Services office might be able to help you.

Once you find an employer willing to offer you an apprenticeship, you will need to do register on the Skilled Trades Ontario website.

To apply for an apprenticeship, you will fill out and submit an online application. Skilled Trades Ontario will review your application and your sponsor's eligibility to create a training agreement which will cover the conditions of your apprenticeship. You and your sponsor will sign the agreement and then the Ministry will review, approve and register it.

How do I get an offer for school?

Once registered as an apprentice, you would have indicated your school preference as Mohawk college with Skilled Trades Ontario through the registration portal. The Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skill Development issues the offers of classroom training via email to you.

What is the difference between post-secondary and Apprenticeship?

What are your options?

You have an employer and are ready to hit the workforce running:

Apprenticeship (80% hands-on, 20% knowledge) is the choice for you!

Contact the Apprenticeship Community Hub

You don't have an employer, you know you need the skill sets and confidence to find one:

College (50% hands-on, 50% knowledge) is the choice for you!

Contact the Recruitment and Outreach team

Employers look favourably upon someone who has related skills, and who has shown the discipline and commitment to complete a college program. Mohawk's Marshall School of Skilled Trades & Apprenticeship has several programs which could help, and also provide portions of the in-class apprenticeship curriculum for specific trades.