Across Canada, the economy has been picking up speed, and that is expected to carry through into 2016, according to the Conference Board of Canada. The trade sector will push much of the improvement, supported by strong growth in the U.S economy and a lower Canadian dollar. If you’re interested in more industry related information, click here.

If you’re new to skilled trades, an apprenticeship is the opening to enter into a career in skilled trades. This type of work is hands on, under the supervision of a licensed tradesperson and allows you to get paid while you learn. Apprentices usually start by earning 40-60 percent of the salary of a certified tradesperson and their pay increases the closer they get to certification. The length of an apprenticeship varies from two to five years depending on the trade. If you’re in Ontario, the Skilled Trades College of Canada has Pre-Apprentice Programs for individuals that are interested in pursuing a career in the electrical and plumbing trade.

There are many trades you can choose from, and each are full of opportunities and promises, but the top demand trades in terms of wages, employment opportunities and job security are: electricians, plumbers, crane operators, welders, construction managers, and brick layers. While the requirements and wages differ across Canada, here is an overview of what you can expect for the electrical and plumbing trades:

Electricians are tradespeople who specialize in designing, installing, and maintaining electrical systems. They install, test, troubleshoot and repair electrical wiring. Electricians have many duties such as planning projects, installing new or upgrading old systems, wiring, receptacles and lighting fixtures. There are many career opportunities for those that choose a career in the electrical trade, such as: construction and maintenance electrician, industrial electrician, electrical contractor, PLC, network cabling technician, industrial motor controls, fiber optics, supervisor/manager etc. Apprenticeships involve approx 9000 hours (roughly 5 years) of hands-on training and four eight week blocks of technical training, as well as a written certification exam upon completion. Don’t be alarmed, although this sounds difficult, you will be learning along the way and you have many years to become fully trained. This is why it is strongly encouraged to receive pre apprentice training from the Skilled Trades College, where we offer a three month long Construction and Maintenance Electrician Pre-Apprenticeship Program for individuals that want to learn the theory and practical skills in order to become an electrical apprentice. You will be job ready in as little as 12 weeks. Our graduates receive the skills, training and experience needed to make them the most sought after electrical apprentices in their field; because they are qualified, competent and accomplished with real-world, hands-on experience and training.

A plumber is a tradesperson who specializes in installing and maintaining systems used for potable (drinking) water, sewage, and draining in plumbing systems. Some of the duties that a plumber is required to perform are: installing, repairing and maintaining pipes, fixtures, and other plumbing equipment; welding, connecting, and leak testing; estimating; interpreting blueprints; supervising apprentices; and more. The plumbing apprenticeship includes classroom learning and on the job training under a supervision of a certified plumber. Apprenticeships involve approx 9000 hours (roughly 5 years) of on the job training and four eight-week blocks of technical training, followed by a final certificate exam. We encourage students to receive pre apprentice training from the Skilled Trades College where we offer a three month long Plumbing Pre-Apprenticeship Program for individuals that want to learn the theory and practical skills in order to become a plumbing apprentice. Our graduates receive the skills, training and experience needed to make them the most sought after plumbing apprentices in their field; because they are qualified, competent and accomplished with real-world, hands-on experience, and training.