Skilled Trade Certification Program

An Automotive Service Technician performs preventative maintenance, diagnoses problems and repairs vehicle systems in cars and light trucks. Specifically, an Automotive Service Technician diagnoses and repairs:

• engines, transmissions, clutches, rear ends, differentials, brakes, drive shafts, axles and other assemblies
• alignment of wheels, axles, frames and steering mechanisms
• suspension systems, including shock absorbers and spring assemblies
• ignition, charging and starting systems, panel instruments, wiring and other electrical/electronic systems and equipment
• fuel and engine management and emission control systems
• air-conditioning, refrigeration and heating system

Requirements 

Generally, the time-frame to become competent in the trade of Automotive Service Technician is 7,220 hours (approximately four years). 

Can consist of 6,500 hours of on-the-job work experience and 720 hours of in-school training.

An Auto Body and Collision Damage Repairer repairs and/or replaces frame and structural components, mechanical, interior and electrical components, plastic and composite panels and sheet metal panels. Specifically, an Auto Body and Collision Damage Repairer:

• repairs, reshapes, and refits body panels
• welds breaks in body panels
• removes or replaces electrical, electronic components
• repairs, removes or replaces wiring harnesses, air conditioning systems and mechanical components
• straightens and aligns frames and unibody assemblies
• removes, replaces, or adjusts steering and suspension components
• aligns wheels

Generally, the time-frame to become competent in the trade of Auto Body and Collision Damage Repairer is 8,000 hours (approximately four years) can consist of  7,280 hours of on-the-job work experience and 720 hours of in-school training. 

A General Carpenter constructs, renovates and repairs structures made of wood, steel, concrete and other materials in the residential, commercial and industrial construction sectors and in related industries. Specifically, a General Carpenter:

• establishes building procedures and prepares work sites
• lays out, constructs and installs formwork and concrete foundations
• frames floors, walls, ceilings and roofs
• finishes interiors and exteriors
• constructs heavy framing
• builds stairs, posts and handrails
• lays out, constructs and installs door and window systems
  

The Registrar of Skilled Trades Ontario, under the authority of section 14 of the Building Opportunities in the Skilled Trades Act, 2021, has set the hours of training for the trade General Carpenter at 7,200 (approximately four years), which can consist of 6,480 hours on the job work experience and 720 hours of in-school training.

A Drywall Finisher and Plasterer tapes and finishes wallboard (drywall), applies, maintains and restores plaster and similar materials on interior and exterior walls, ceilings and building partitions to make them more decorative, soundproof and firerated. A Drywall Finisher and Plasterer also textures concrete, applies coats of plaster to foundation materials, and installs, repairs and restores mouldings and ornaments. Specifically, a Drywall Finisher and Plasterer:

• tapes and finish wallboard (drywall)
• applies tape to fire rate and gas proof walls
• installs beads to protect corners
• fills joints and imperfections
• mixes and applies compound and sands to create a smooth surface
• textures concrete, prepared walls and ceilings
• applies coats of plaster to foundation materials

The Registrar of Skilled Trades Ontario, under the authority of section 14 of the Building Opportunities in the Skilled Trades Act, 2021, has set the hours of apprenticeship training for the trade Drywall Finisher and Plasterer at 5,400 (approximately three years), which consists of 4,920 hours on the job work experience and 480 hours of in-school training.

An Electrician – Construction and Maintenance plans, assembles, connects, installs, repairs, inspects, tests, verifies, and maintains electrical systems in various settings (i.e. residential, commercial, institutional, industrial). Electrical systems include heating, lighting, power, communication, control, security systems and renewable energy and energy storage systems.
An Electrician – Construction and Maintenance also measures, cuts, threads, bends, assembles and installs conduits, electrical conductor enclosures and supports.

• lays out, assembles, installs, repairs, maintains, connects and/or tests electrical systems
• plans installations from blueprints, sketches and specifications, and installs all electrical and electronic devices
• systematically diagnoses faults in electrical and electronic components, as required
• measures, cuts, threads, bends, assembles and installs conduits and other electrical conductor raceways
• splices and terminates electrical conductors
• tests electrical and electronic equipment to ensure that they are functioning properly

An apprenticeship training program consists of on-the-job and in-school training. The Registrar of Skilled Trades Ontario, under the authority of section 14 of the Building Opportunities in the Skilled Trades Act, 2021, has set the hours of apprenticeship training for the trade Electrician – Construction and Maintenance at 9000 (approximately five years), which consists of 8160 hours on the job work experience and 840 hours of in-school training

An Industrial Electrician lays out, inspects, assembles, installs, troubleshoots, repairs and maintains (including programming, calibration and preventive/predictive maintenance) electrical fixtures, apparatus, control equipment and wiring for industrial electrical systems, as well as equipment and systems such as motors, generators, distribution equipment systems, wiring systems, lighting systems, motor drives, stand-by power systems, instrumentation, communication, security, renewable energy and energy storage systems. Specifically, an Industrial Electrician:

• plans installations from blueprints, sketches and specifications and installs all electrical and electronic devices
• systematically diagnoses faults in electrical and electronic systems and equipment and repairs or replaces electrical and electronic components as required
• measures, cuts, threads, bends, assembles and installs conduits and other electrical conductor raceways
• splices and terminates electrical conductors
• tests electrical and electronic equipment for proper function

The time-frame to become competent in the trade of Industrial Electrician is 9000 hours (approximately five years) consisting of 8160 hours of on-the job work experience and 840 hours of in-school training. 

A Painter and Decorator — Commercial and Residential applies decorative and protective finishes in residential, commercial, and institutional settings. Specifically, a Painter and Decorator — Commercial and Residential:

• reads specifications to determine quantities of materials required
• prepares and cleans surfaces using methods such as scraping, sanding, sandblasting, hydro-blasting and steamcleaning
• mixes coatings according to manufacturer’s specifications
• applies coatings using brushes, rollers or spray equipment
• practices quality control
• assembles and erects scaffolding, swing stages and other access equipment

The Registrar of Skilled Trades Ontario, under the authority of section 14 of the Building Opportunities in the Skilled Trades Act, 2021, has set the hours of apprenticeship training for the trade Painter and Decorator- Commercial and Residential at 6,000 (approximately three years)

A Plumber installs, repairs and maintains piping systems, fixtures and other plumbing equipment used for water distribution, drainage and waste disposal. Specifically, a Plumber:

• lays out, assembles, installs, maintains and repairs piping, fixtures and other components for the supply or disposal of water for any domestic or industrial purpose
• connects any appliance that uses water
• installs the piping for any process, including the conveyance of gas, or any tubing for a pneumatic or air-handling system
• reads and understands design drawings, manufacturers’ literature, and installation diagrams for piping and appliances

The Registrar of Skilled Trades Ontario, under the authority of section 14 of the Building Opportunities in the Skilled Trades Act, 2021, has set the hours of apprenticeship training for the trade Plumber at 9,000 (approximately five years), which consists of 8,280 hours on the job work experience and 720 hours of in-school training.

A Powerline Technician constructs, maintains and repairs overhead and underground electrical power transmission and distribution systems and communication networks. Specifically, a Powerline Technician:

• prepares work plans
• installs, maintains and removes power system poles and maintains transmission towers and structures
• installs and maintains overhead and underground power systems
• splices and terminates conductors and related wiring to connect power distribution and transmission networks
• troubleshoots overhead and underground power systems
• installs, maintains and removes transformers and hardware
• installs, operates and maintains system protection, control and instrumentation equipment and communications systems

The Registrar of Skilled Trades Ontario, under the authority of section 14 of the Building Opportunities in the Skilled Trades Act, 2021, has set the hours of apprenticeship training for the trade Powerline Technician at 8,000 (approximately four years), which consists of 7,680 hours on the job work experience and 320 hours of in-school training.

A Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Systems Mechanic works on refrigeration, cooling and combined heating cooling combination systems including geo-exchange systems in residential, industrial, commercial, and institutional settings. Specifically, a Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Systems Mechanic:

• plans, lays out, installs, starts-up, connects, maintains, services, repairs, tests, verifies, commissions and decommissions refrigeration and air conditioning systems, electronic components and their accessories
• installs and connects piping for the purpose of conveying all types of refrigerants used for both primary and secondary heating and cooling
• checks efficiency outputs and parameters; inspects and checks operation and integrity of components; determines set points; replaces defective, leaking, discolored and worn components; performs shut-downs and lock outs; makes adjustments to pressures and controls; cleans and lubricates components; checks calibrations; reassembles and repairs components and systems; starts-up, tests and charges the systems
• measures, cuts, bends, threads and connects pipe to functional components and utilities and services, tests, adjusts, commissions and decommissions the system

The Registrar of Skilled Trades Ontario, under the authority of section 14 of the Building Opportunities in the Skilled Trades Act, 2021, has set the hours of apprenticeship training for the trade Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Systems Mechanic at 9000 (approximately five years), which consists of 8,280 hours on the job work experience and 720 hours of in-school training.

A Welder permanently joins pieces of metal or manufactured parts using metal filler and heat and/or pressure; builds structures and repairs broken or cracked parts according to specifications; and carries out special processes, such as welding studs and brazing. Specifically, a Welder:

• lays out, cuts, and forms metals to specifications
• fits sub-assemblies and assemblies together and preparing assemblies for welding
• uses three major types of welding: arc, gas, and resistance
• uses various welding and cutting processes to join structural steel and cut metal in vessels, piping and other components
• fabricates parts, tools, machines and equipment
• joins parts being manufactured, builds structures and repairs damaged or worn parts
• controls for quality before, during and after welding

The time-frame to become competent in the trade of Welder is 6,000 hours (approximately three years) consisting of 5,280 hours of on-the-job work experience and 720 hours of in-school training.

A Terrazzo, Tile and Marble Setter covers interior and exterior walls, floors with terrazzo, tile and/or marble by preparing, measuring and marking the surface to be covered, mixing and applying mortar, mastic, cement, or other adhesives, using hand tools, laying mosaic tiles and removing and replacing cracked or damaged tiles. Specifically, a Terrazzo, Tile and Marble Setter:

• uses and maintains electrical, pneumatic and hydraulic power tools
• interprets blueprints and specifications
• inspects and verifies materials and tools, and sets plumb, level and square lines and surfaces
• prepares sub-surface
• installs terrazzo and tile
• performs mechanical installation of natural stone on walls
• installs natural stone indoors by conventional or stacking method
• installs natural stone slabs on floors and counter tops

The time-frame to become competent in the trade of Terrazzo, Tile and Marble Setter is 5500 hours (approximately three and a half years) consisting of 4780 hours of on-the-job work experience and 720 hours of inschool training. 

A Metal Fabricator (Fitter) builds, assembles and repairs products made of ferrous and non ferrous metals for use in a wide variety of manufacturing and construction industries. Specifically, a Metal Fabricator (Fitter):

• reads and interprets engineered drawings, sketches, codes and standards
• plans the sequence of tasks and executes fabrication safely and efficiently
• performs calculations and applies shop formulas by using mathematical methods to develop patterns
• completes the task of measuring, marking and laying out a variety of plate and structural shapes
• sets up and operates trade specific machinery to cut and form parts to be assembled
• assembles and fits parts to form sub-assemblies or complete units used in the manufacturing process
• connects components using various welding processes and mechanical fasteners
• utilizes material handling, rigging, hoisting and lifting equipment safely
• performs job duties safely and with precision ensuring compliance with drawings and applicable codes and standards

An apprenticeship training program consists of on-the-job and in-school training. Generally, the time-frame to become competent in the trade of Metal Fabricator (Fitter) is 5,400 hours (approximately four years) consisting of 4,680 hours of on-the job work experience and 720 hours of in-school training.

A Hoisting Engineer — Mobile Crane Operator 1 maintains and operates conventional lattice and telescopic boom mobile cranes that can lift, move, position and place materials and equipment weighing more than 16,000 pounds, such as concrete, steel, gravel and other construction supplies and machinery at construction and industrial sites, ports, factories, warehouses, dockyards or rail yards. Specifically, a Hoisting Engineer — Mobile Crane Operator 1:

• performs pre‐operational inspections
• prepares and transports cranes
• assembles and dismantles cranes
• plans crane ‘lifts’ including calculating crane capacity and determining load weights
• sets up, positions and stabilizes the crane before the ‘lift’
• performs various rigging procedures

An apprenticeship training program consists of on-the-job and in-school training. The Registrar of Skilled Trades Ontario, under the authority of section 14 of the Building Opportunities in the Skilled Trades Act, 2021, has set the hours of apprenticeship training for the trade Hoisting Engineer- Mobile Crane Operator 1 at 6,000 (approximately three years), which consists of 5,520 hours on the job work experience and 480 hours of in-school training.