Apprentice Journeys

I originally wanted to become a millwright, but was unable to get into the course. This led to me taking a Pre-Technology course, followed by an Electrical Techniques course at college. After I graduated, I worked in various jobs alongside millwrights, cable networking technicians and elevator mechanics. The work could be dangerous and one job involved working inside a 153-metre (500-foot) elevator shaft.

There were some challenges along the way to arrive at where I am today, including two jobs where the employer worked live, or, in other words, failed to turn off the power when work was carried out.  I consider this to have been part of my learning that has brought me to where I am today. (NOTE from Support Ontario Youth (SOY):  Working live is not recommended in the industry except in very specific circumstances.)

It took me a year after graduating from college to find an electrician helper job. This involved retrofitting LED lighting for car dealerships. After working there for about two months, I found SOY. At this point in my apprenticeship experience, I was really discouraged because of several negative situations on the job including unsafe working conditions, long unpaid commutes and 14-hour days with no lunch breaks.

Both Glenda Rahn, SOY’s Program Manager, and Greg Dallaway, SOY’s Electrical Mentor, encouraged me to leave the job because of the toxic work environment. The advice I received from SOY helped me realize leaving my former employer was the right thing to do. The SOY team also gave me significant support in finding an employer that was suitable for me.

Glenda went on to help me learn more about the industry and assisted me with tips for cold calling to find a new employer. The SOY team also answered my questions about the trades. This was very valuable as I don’t have family or anyone else in the trades who can provide these answers.

Because of the 2020 COVID-19 lockdown and restrictions it was difficult to find an electrical employer. Eventually, I found work with another non-SOY employer. Like the first company I had worked with, my new employer worked live. To me, this was worth the risk because I wanted to accumulate hours and gain experience, plus, both employers promised to sponsor my apprenticeship.

A few months later, the opportunity with my current employer opened up through SOY.  Things are going very well with this employer. I am involved in fire alarm installation, servicing, testing, and electrical maintenance. We work in a lot of apartment buildings and condominiums. This is the best company I have worked for so far. I really appreciate Glenda and SOY finding me this opportunity to work with such a great company.

I’ve now been working in the trades for almost two and a half years since I graduated from college. I’ve learned a lot about the workplace and the electrical trade. For example, every company operates differently and, as an employee, I need to get to know the company culture. It’s also a good idea to keep an open mind because I can learn from everyone I meet on the job. No one knows everything, so there is always something I can learn from different people on the team.

I like the freedom of my work – I usually work somewhere different and meet new people every day. I also like the options for different kinds of work in the electrical field – industrial, commercial, residential, smart homes and much more. With all these choices, I’ll never be bored.

For anyone considering a career in the trades, I suggest researching the trade of interest very carefully. Learn everything you can about it. Then, when it comes to the job hunt, be persistent. It can take a while to find the right fit, but persistence pays off. It can be a challenge because many employers want to hire apprentices with experience. This is a reality all “green” apprentices face, as I know I did, but make connections with the right people, or reach out to SOY. They’ve been there to help mentor me out of a bad situation and helped me find where I am today.

Looking back, I wish I had known that not all employers are willing to sponsor apprentices, even if they say they are willing. This is where SOY has been a huge help to me – connecting me with an employer who is committed to apprentice training. Plus, SOY sponsors my apprenticeship and supports me on this pathway.  

Education: Pre-Technology and Electrical Techniques at Niagara College.

When (age/grade) did you decide to pursue the skilled trades? High school.

Top 3 factors in choosing this career path:

1. Interest in electrical field.
2. Availability of specialties.
3. Variety of work.

On the other hand, I didn’t hesitate to enter the trades as a woman. My mother was very supportive, even buying my steel-toed footwear and welding helmet in my early days. My father wanted me to go to university, but now sees that I make a good living, allowing me to enjoy a comfortable lifestyle, and has come around.

My skilled trades journey started when I was in grade 11. I was exposed to welding and loved it. Once I discovered welding, I arranged my grade 12 courses so I could take the Welding Techniques program at college. After I graduated, I worked as a welder and later went on to work as a plumber’s assistant and at other jobs in the trades. I’m currently a utility worker with a nuclear components and fuel supplier.

I like working with my hands and plumbing provides me with lots of opportunities to do this. This is also true of my hobbies – crocheting, sewing and gardening. One of my hobbies, hydroponic gardening, helped spark my interest in the trade. This happened during a late-night YouTube adventure, when I came across information for installing an automated sprinkler system for my hydroponic garden. So, I set it up. I also enjoy the variety in plumbing – installing simple water lines, measuring, rough fitting – all of it!

So, I decided to switch to plumbing after being in the workforce for four years. Moving into a plumbing apprenticeship is a second career in the trades for me. There are more similarities between the two trades than you might think. Plumbing and welding are connected, especially in the gas industry. The theories behind each trade are similar and working with metal is also a common factor.

When I decided to find a plumbing apprenticeship, I started cold calling companies within a 40-kilometre radius of my home. Before COVID-19, I would often visit potential employers in person to drop off my resume. Now, I’m back to phone calls and using online resources like Indeed. I found out about Support Ontario Youth (SOY) when I called an employer who told me the company hired their apprentices through SOY.

SOY has been a great support to me over the last 1-1/2 years. Glenda Rahn (Program Manager) helped me with redesigning my resume to make essential information like my hard skills, experience and licenses more prominent. This can make a major difference to catching the attention of busy employers who often review tons of resumes.

My current goal is to find a plumbing apprenticeship. I know flexibility, commitment and work ethic are important to employers. So, I let employers know that I’m willing to relocate, can work long hours and weekends and am physically fit to lift heavy objects.

Putting safety first is one of the most important lessons I've learned on the job so far. Unfortunately, some employers place more importance on getting the product out than on the their employees’ safety. I have learned that employees sometimes need to speak up and say, “This is unsafe and needs to be fixed.” If nothing is done, I’m prepared to call the ministry. I want to make sure my peers and I are safe, and no one goes home hurt.

While staying employed in construction can be challenging (I’ve experienced layoffs), I have never been without work during my career, and I’ve had lots of opportunities to do overtime.

I would also like to point out that I’ve been able to thrive in the trades, even with ADHD, a learning disability, which was not diagnosed until I was 22 years old.  

I would advise other women not to be intimidated by others in a work situation. A solid work ethic will be a definite plus with peers, male and female. Remember that other people’s behavior and attitude usually reflect their insecurities, not your skills.

High School:   Centennial Collegiate Vocational Institute, Guelph  

Other Education: Welding Techniques Certificate, Sir Sandford Fleming College, Peterborough

When (age/grade) did you decide to pursue the skilled trades? 16

Top 3 factors in choosing this career path:

1. Enjoys working with hands
2. Variety of work
3. Supports comfortable lifestyle

Status:  Canadian citizen

I immigrated from Pakistan to Canada in early 2017. I had worked in graphic design for almost two years before that. In Canada, I went to the Monsignor Fraser College Adult Secondary School to take four more credits so my high school diploma would be recognized in Canada. Then I had to decide what to do about continuing my education.

I thought about college or university, but I realized it would take another three to five years to complete and I would probably face another six months to a year of job hunting at the end of it. People in my community advised me about the job opportunities in the trades. At the same time, I didn’t have any related experience and didn’t know anything about construction.

I still set my goal to be an electrician. I knew it would not be easy, but I had dealt with other difficult situations before coming to Canada. Once here, I saw tradespeople working in uniform and this appealed to me. I also thought it would be a way to do something for my new country.

I started to look for a company to take me on as an apprentice and was directed to ACCES Employment, which was a big help. (ACCES Employment connects employers with qualified employees from diverse backgrounds.) Jeanette Zemlja at ACCES helped me with writing my resume, using social media like Indeed, taking safety training and obtaining safety clothing and equipment. I was able to qualify for several safety certificates including the ACCES Construction Trades Program, IHSA, WHMIS, the Propane, Forklift Tickets, Elevated Work Platform/Aerial Lift, and Working at Heights.

Jeanette at ACCES also introduced me to Support Ontario Youth (SOY). I took and passed the SOY online assessment and received lots of assistance from SOY, especially from Glenda Rahn. SOY prepared the documents for registering my Training Agreement with the Ministry of Labour, Training and Skills Development (MLTSD) and oversaw the process of registering me. SOY continues to be my sponsor and holds my Registered Training Agreement. Glenda also encouraged me and gave me valuable advice, such as visiting potential employers in person with my resume.

I reached out to employers and eventually had success with one. He spoke my native language, Persian, and we had a connection. I started working for him in March 2020 but was laid off in late May due to COVID-19.

My next apprentice job came in September 2020. I received a call from CLAC (a SOY partner) asking if I would be interested in a job with an industrial and electrical contracting company in Etobicoke. ACCES had introduced me to CLAC and I also met CLAC representatives at the SOY Employment Preparation Day for Skilled Trades in January 2020.

My current job has been an excellent opportunity. It’s a larger company. I’m learning to work as part of a team and to put safety first. I’m learning something new every day. I’ve worked on commercial projects like a GO station where the company completed a new station, including the rail platform, bus platform, three-floor parking structure, parking lot, new 600V, 2000V main service and coordination with the utility provider, and all power and lighting for the platforms and the station building. 

I think I am a good match with the team. The people are friendly, and I really enjoy working with them. They are also understanding about my Muslim faith and culture, involving prayers five times a day. During my working hours I pray twice beside my car, mostly in my break time. My employer is respectful and understanding about this.

I like electrical work because it has the technical component and involves both the brain and body. I also enjoy the hands-on work and the mental challenge of staying focused. 

My advice for others considering the trades as a career is: “Set your goal and then, go for it. There will be ups and downs but stay true to your goal.”

Highlights

High School: Completed in Pakistan, Monsignor Fraser College Adult Secondary School for Canadian recognition

Other Education: Graphic design courses

When (age/grade) did you decide to pursue the skilled trades? 28

Top 3 factors in choosing this career path:

1. Job opportunities in skilled trades.
2. Ability to earn while learning.
3. Using body and brain.

Status: Permanent resident

I grew up in Jamaica where I took the Electrical Installation Class 1 Certificate after high school. Then I worked as an electrical helper at a distillery for two and a half years. I gained great experience there in industrial, residential and office buildings.  

My next move was to become a police corporal with the Jamaica Constabulary Force. This was quite a change from the electrical trade. My duties ranged from performing intelligence-driven police operations and snap raids to conducting mobile and foot patrols to prevent or minimize criminal activities. But after 13 years with the force, I felt a strong pull back to electrical work.

I’d always loved electrical and decided to give it another shot. While doing research in 2017, I learned about the demand and job opportunities in the skilled trades. I then looked into training programs and was accepted in the Electrical Engineering Technician program at Sheridan College, which I attended on a student visa. I had visited Canada a couple of times, so it made sense to continue my studies here.

Coming from Jamaica, winter was the biggest challenge I faced as a newcomer to Canada. A January visit brought the reality of snow and snowstorms home to me. Now, I’ve adjusted, and I dress warmly for the cold weather.

After I graduated from Sheridan in 2019, I was able to find work. But there was a definite disconnect between the messages I got at school about lots of jobs waiting for graduates and the reality. For me, getting into the field I wanted – construction – didn’t go as smoothly as I’d expected. I had to send out lots of resumes. Many employers prefer to hire experienced apprentices. I think job hunting is a lot easier once an apprentice has been working for a couple of years. I have friends from Sheridan who are still searching for work. My advice to anyone who is looking for an apprenticeship is to keep going and work towards your dream – don’t give up!

I landed my first job after graduation as a maintenance associate with an auto parts manufacturer. This gave me experience performing maintenance on equipment and installing and repairing switches, lights, receptacles, ballasts, sensors and more. This job ended due to the COVID-19 pandemic. So, I moved on to a locomotive company where I gained more experience, such as troubleshooting electrical faults and installing and repairing switches, relays, solenoid valves, pull wires and other fixtures.

I learned about Support Ontario Youth (SOY) when I was job hunting in 2019. Then, I went to the SOY Employment Preparation Day for Skilled Trades in January 2020. This was a very valuable experience where I met other apprentices and employers, so it was a good networking event. I also learned a lot about what to expect in the workplace and developing the attitude to be successful. The session on using tools was another beneficial experience. SOY recruited me to join the program at this event. I filled out the application and then the SOY team interviewed me. On the basis of my resume, cover letter, application and interview, I was accepted for the program.

I appreciate SOY’s work with partners like CLAC. The SOY team is very supportive and looks out for everyone. They have reached out to me with guidance and are always there to answer my questions when I contact them. Glenda Rahn at SOY connected me with my current employer and arranged for my interview.

On the job, I’ve found it’s essential to pay close attention and ask questions when needed. With measuring, for example, an error can cost the employer time and money. It’s better to ask more experienced people for information and learn from them.

At this time, my goal is to master more skills and become a well-rounded electrician. I am a temporary resident and plan, over time, to become a permanent resident. When I am a permanent resident, I’ll be eligible to go to trade school. 

For anyone who is considering a career in the trades, I encourage them to choose the type of work they enjoy so they will be motivated to succeed and do their best.  I would tell them, “Stay focused and learn all you can on the job, so you can develop your skills and advance.”                                                                               

Highlights
High School:  Lacovia High School, Jamaica

Other Education:  HEART Trust National Training Agency of Jamaica, Electrical Installation Class 1, and Sheridan College, Electrical Engineering Technician

When (age/grade) did you decide to pursue the skilled trades?
I’ve wanted to become an electrician since ninth grade after seeing a friend neatly wire up a house and everything working just like magic. I also attended a careers day workshop sometime after and I realized that the electrical field is very wide and has a lot of interesting things to do in different skill areas.

Top 3 factors in choosing this career path
1. Personal Passion:  It’s a great trade and almost everything depends on electricity to function.

2. Lifelong skills: With experience and knowledge, I will be able to have a successful career.

3. Solid Profession: I would love to share my knowledge with other apprentice and maybe own my own business someday.

Status:  Temporary resident                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    

In high school, I was not one for sitting in a classroom. I liked doing things and using my hands. If I got into a little trouble, nothing major, I was sent to work with my dad or stepdad. I also spent time working with them during school holidays like Christmas and March Break. You might say that the electrical trade is in my blood. One of my grandfathers was an electrician and he worked with my dad, who also has his own panel shop.

In grade 12, I was able to get a co-op placement at my stepdad’s electrical contracting business in Brantford. This was a full-day experience for the second semester and I really liked it. At the end of my co-op in June, I asked to be kept on. So, there I was starting work in the trade at 17 going on 18 years old. This isn’t always how apprentices join the trade, but it worked for me.

I’ve now been with my stepdad’s company for about five years. I like the variety of electrical work. So far, my job has been a lot of fun and I enjoy it. Now, I mainly do service calls, house wiring and factory jobs. 

As an apprentice, I learned that making mistakes is a natural part of learning. Apprentices should not be afraid to admit mistakes and ask for help. Sure, they can do what they can to fix an error, but being honest about something that has gone wrong is super important when dealing with electricity. Ignoring a problem means it can become a safety issue.

My advice to new apprentices: “Be prepared to work until the job is done. You can’t always walk away at quitting time.” They may need to stay late to unload a truck, clean up or finish a job. This is part of apprentices working hard to show their worth. I also encourage them to take advice from their co-workers and use feedback from the people around them to become better apprentices.

The great thing about my work is that I’m learning every day. Being licensed doesn’t mean I can stop learning. For example, I was recently on a factory job troubleshooting a problem with a control circuit in a motor. I told the customer that it might take a while to fix and they were fine with that because they wanted the repair done right. I had to really think the problem through and call someone back at the shop for input.   

For me, all three levels of trade school were easier than high school. A lot of my high school classes were about subjects that didn’t hold my interest. It was easier to concentrate and learn in trade school because I was interested in the content and I knew I wanted to be in the trade for the rest of my life.

CofQ Advice

Preparing for and writing the CoQ was challenging. Like a lot of apprentices, I ended up writing it twice. The first time I was just one per cent away from passing. Then I had to wait six months before I could try it again due to COVID-19 pandemic restrictions.

For apprentices preparing to write the CofQ, I recommend reviewing your trade school notes and the Electrical Code for one hour a night over several weeks. I didn’t do this. Instead, I crammed for a couple of weeks right before the exam – this isn’t the best way to go.

It’s important to have a good grasp of the Code before writing. Since it’s impossible to memorize the lengthy content, apprentices should get to know the table of contents and index so they can quickly find the section they need while writing the exam. Knowing the Code like this also helps a lot on the job.

Once in the exam, apprentices should read every question very carefully. If they get stuck on a question, it’s a good idea to move on and come back to the problem question at the end. It’s a long exam that took me almost four hours to complete.

Support Ontario Youth (SOY) was a big help with preparing to write my exam. They reached out to offer help and sent detailed information about the exam process. This covered everything from completing the 309A training standard logbook documents and sending in trade school transcripts, to paying the exam fee to the Ontario College of Trades (OCOT) and scheduling the exam with the nearest Employment Ontario apprenticeship office.

SOY pointed me towards really useful study aids such as OCOT’s exam preparation guide, covering exam preparation resources, study plans, study schedules, exam-day tips and requirements, self-assessment checklists, and getting results, and examination counselling sheets, which outlined the percentage of questions for each skill set (key topic area). SOY also referred me to a paid practice exam and resources that uses visuals.

It was great to have SOY supporting and looking out for me, as doing it on my own would have been very confusing. I’m grateful for SOY’s help with this last step in becoming a licensed electrician.

Actually, you could say my path to becoming an apprentice began even before OYAP when I worked in an electrical supply store as my co-op placement in Grade 11. This was a great opportunity to become familiar with all kinds of equipment and tools for buildings, offices, houses, security and more. Once I became a registered apprentice electrician with OYAP, I landed my first job with a company that bought from the electrical supply store where I had worked. It’s interesting to see these kinds of connections in the working world.

I’m the first person in my family to enter the trades; most of my family members have white collar jobs. I was drawn to electrical work because electricity is so integrated into everything around us. Everywhere we look – at home, in a mall, on the street – electricity is making things run.  I’m now a third-year apprentice. One of my favorite things about being an apprentice is continuous learning. I know I’ll need to keep learning even after I’m licensed as an electrician – it goes with the territory. Right now, I love to look back at projects that I have helped build with my own hands.  

When I started looking for an apprenticeship after graduating from a two-year electrical engineering technician program at college, I wasn’t confident about my chances. I thought employers would be reluctant to hire me because I was a recent graduate with limited work experience. This is where Support Ontario Youth (SOY) was a big help. Glenda Rahn (Program Manager) flipped the script and made me realize that my college program, coupled with OYAP, showed employers my ability to commit and complete. She pointed out that employers would also see my college program as a benefit because it exempted me from the first two levels of trade school. I was way ahead of totally inexperienced apprentices who don’t even know how to use a drill. Glenda suggested that I tell employers about being the first tradesperson in my family because they know apprentices like me work harder to show their worth.

Glenda gave me the confidence to apply myself in the workplace and a strategy to present my best self to employers. She helped me realize that apprentices bring value to an employer even if we have less experience.

Once I was on the job, there were lots of opportunities to learn and build my skills. Completing the tasks that I’m assigned, even ones I consider mundane, was an important lesson for me. For example, on one of my jobs, digging trenches for electrical wire, on both sides of a road after another worker did a poor job, paid off. This was not glamourous work. But, when I finished the digging, my employer invited me to do PVC work, which interested me. If I were to give new apprentices some advice, I’d tell them, “People will notice when you put in the effort. As an apprentice, know your place. You can’t learn to run until you can walk.”

I really appreciate how SOY has supported me and basically had my back. The SOY team has been there for me even in challenging times like when I was laid off due to the COVID-19 pandemic. I haven’t had to deal with the lengthy delays I experienced with other organizations. I’m glad I have the support of SOY, an organization that knows the system and is willing to do whatever it takes to make sure I succeed. That alone, is what makes me want to give back. The apprenticeship pathway can be hard and confusing. SOY does an amazing job at making sure we apprentices don’t feel like we’re in it alone!

It’s also been rewarding to be involved with SOY events and I hope I’ve paid forward some of the help I’ve received. I enjoyed being a panellist at SOY’s Apprentice Connection day. That’s where another first-generation tradesperson apprentice reached out to me. I was able to coach him as Glenda had supported me, including doing a mock interview and helping him recognize his work experience in an industrial setting as an asset. The apprentice, who had been job hunting for four months, landed a job just four days after our coaching session. That made me feel great!

Now that I have a solid base of skills, my goal is to become a more confident and experienced commercial electrician.  

Note: Learn more about Yosuf’s apprenticeship journey on the Canadian Apprenticeship Forum’s Apprenticeship 101 Webinar, presented in partnership with SOY.

Apprenticeships are hard. There’s a lot to understand and it can be confusing to navigate. It’s nothing like starting school, even though it is an educational pathway. When you go to college or university, your schedule is provided to you and your lessons are outlined with a clear objective. In an apprenticeship, you don’t have peers, you don’t have professors and you probably don’t have a clue how or where to start. The only guidance you do have is your employer, and that’s providing you found one that is looking to invest in you and your learning, those can be hard to find.  

My apprenticeship came to me as a window of opportunity. I was fortunate enough to be given a chance, but I had to work hard, every day, to prove that I deserved it. Proving it meant showing up, it meant being prepared to work and it meant being opened to learning. Admittedly, sometimes it’s hard to see the lessons in every day menial tasks, especially when you’re just starting out, but they are there. Just know that work ethic matters. Continue to be a team player, earn the respect of your colleagues and stay on top of your learning, and you will be successful.

One of the harder things I had to realize during this past year, while preparing for my CofQ, was that the expectation to know everything, was unrealistic. Working in this industry means you are constantly learning. And I’m not just talking about the technical skills, though that is important. Learning is everything in your environment - safety awareness, customer service, relationship management, working with others and being part of a team. Each day presented me with an opportunity to learn. I realize now that just because I’ve completed my apprenticeship, it does not mean I’ve finished learning. It just means I can continue to get better at what I know, and I’m no longer a beginner. It does not mean that my educational journey is over.

Today, I’m relieved that I’ve passed my CofQ, but my journey to being ok with writing, was a process that took time. In that time I found CSA’s 2018 Canadian Electrical Practice Exam extremely helpful in helping me understand where I was weak in knowledge and it gave code references and explanations to each question that I got wrong. That coupled with the guidance from Greg Dallaway, SOY’s electrical mentor, finally eased my hesitation. I had to allow myself to be ok with what I knew and trust that it was enough to successfully write.

Being part of SOY, these past couple years, has been a great experience too. I honestly wish they were around when I started. Knowing them, means having a place to turn to ask questions. It means understanding how to organize your learning, and it also gives you a trusted network. Having SOY in my corner meant if I was ever unclear, of anything, SOY would be able to offer me the mentorship and guidance I needed – something that is missing in the apprenticeship world today.

If there’s one piece of advice I could share with those who are about to be in my shoes – it’s scary and it is nerve-wrecking to write that exam. But I was prepared, and after five years, I owed it to myself, I just needed trust myself. I am officially a Red Seal Journeyperson in Canada!

As a young boy growing up in Carleton Place, I dreamed I would one-day, be electrician. In grade seven, we had to build a wind turbine for a science fair project that consisted of a 2L pop bottle powered with LED lights and I thought that was pretty cool. I remember telling myself right there, that I could see myself doing this in 20 years! Today, I am a licensed journeyperson and I couldn't be happier.

I'm very fortunate for my employer and to Support Ontario Youth (SOY). While I did not spend my whole apprenticeship with SOY, they were there to help support me through the final stages. They stayed on me to book the exam so I could write. They also helped me with completing the logbook to send to the ministry. Glenda, SOY's program manager, sent me links and information to help prepare me for school, the exam and also budgeting tips (apprentices, this alone is very helpful and quite useful!) and Huong, SOY's operations manager, worked with my employer to make sure I could access SOY's EI top-up for apprentices going back to school.

SOY also helps apprentices with logging hours. As mentioned, I did not have SOY for my whole apprenticeship, but I can see how this would be very useful to those starting out. It helps keep you accountable and organized.

Being with SOY definitely alleviated a lot of stress, just knowing there was a place to ask questions, and that there was someone (in this case, a whole team) looking out for me and my best interests. They wholeheartedly cared about ensuring my success, and I'm very thankful for their support.

Andrew F.

After two to three months of answering online ads and getting no responses, I chose to take a different approach. I posted my own ad on Kijiji, and got two replies within 24 hours, which led to a phone interview. I started as a helper the following Monday, and six months later, I was signed up as an apprentice by this same electrical contractor. 

Keep in mind that when I was exploring this trade, I had ZERO electrical experience. What I did have; however, was home renovation experience, some network cabling experience and security system installations experience, a reliable car, tools, a good attitude, and a willingness to learn.

Three years later, I found out the company was being sold, so I found another sponsor, which lead me to SOY, a HUGE improvement over dealing with the Ministry and OCOT on my own.

My new sponsor is a better fit, in every way – closer to home, more hours, benefits, cool crew, etc.

With the help of my sponsor, and SOY, I am on track and will have my hours together this Fall, then do level three of school, and finally, write my Certificate of Qualification (CofQ) in Spring 2020.

What I've done to date can work for anyone who is persistent in their goal of becoming an electrician. Taking responsibility for your apprenticeship by taking action is the only reason I’m where I am today.

The ladies at SOY have been very responsive to my questions, the mentorship provided by their mentor, is invaluable, and the guys I’m working with can explain things in English, all of which make it much easier to work and learn the trade.

It’s been a long road, seemingly never-ending at times, but the end of apprenticeship is in sight, at long last.

Steve W

Since day one, I always felt that everyone involved with SOY. had my best interests in mind. After passing screening SOY helped start my apprenticeship. They went to work trying to find me a job. I was clear what type of company I was hoping to work for and SOY found them. I believe that SOY gave me this opportunity by assisting me in getting signed up with OCOT as well as giving me access to a mentor for all my questions about my trade. I believe that this program is so important for apprentices. It gives us protection and helps bridge the gap between employers and apprentices. Without this program, I would not have had the opportunity to work for a great company. I hope that SOY can continue to help people like me and I personally would do anything to see the program continue and succeed. 

This is a unique six credit, full-day pre-apprenticeship program that helped prepare me for a career in Residential Building Construction. To participate in the program, I had to purchase basic tools for the trade and safety boots. The cost was minimal in comparison to the benefits of the program. I earned six credits in Senior Construction Technology through in-class training, I had the opportunity to work with a Construction Technology teacher building homes for Habitat for Humanity and also complete three co-operative (co-op) education placements doing work at various building sites. I received Fall Protection Training, WHMIS Certification and Aerial Work Platform Training and Working at Heights Training. The hands-on experience helped me receive training and develop skills that were transferable to work. The program also made me eligible for apprenticeship opportunities through the Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program (OYAP).

Finding a co-op placement that would accept a girl was challenging. One employer, in particular, was clear that he did not want a girl working for him. At the time this was discouraging, but I had a very supportive teacher who found me a placement with a self-employed female electrician. She was an excellent mentor and provided me with a good start in the trade. She sponsored me and I have been registered with the College of Trades ever since. My second placement was with a company whose owner was known to be hard on students, but I learned a lot working with him. In addition to working towards my secondary school diploma, I had earned 1200 hours that counted towards my apprenticeship.

During my final semester of high school, the Co-op advisor at my secondary school changed and I also began working with a new OYAP Coordinator. The co-op advisor was not familiar with skilled trades and encouraged me to pursue hairdressing. I noticed during conversations she had with employers that she was not very knowledgeable or supportive of my interest in being an apprentice electrician. I decided to do my own research to find an employer for my last co-op placement. I was hoping to find a company that may keep me on once I graduated. I discovered that Hamilton Health Sciences (HHS) accepts secondary school students for co-op, so I provided the co-op advisor with this information and requested it as my placement. After several follow up requests with the advisor I was scheduled for an interview and I was accepted for this placement. 

Shortly after starting my co-op placement with HHS, I was contacted by Ontario College of Trades (OCOT) and offered to attend my first block of in-school training. Technically I had enough credits to have already graduated with my OSSD, but I wanted to remain in secondary school to take advantage of the co-op placements and gain more work experience. I spoke to my supervisor at HHS and he advised me to enrol for level 1 and he agreed to have me return and finish my co-op placement after the 8 weeks of training at Mohawk College. I spoke to the OYAP coordinator and co-op advisor to make the arrangements. The OYAP Coordinator told me that I would have to quit secondary school to attend the training at Mohawk College. I was not clear why I would have to quit school to attend training that was part of my education and the apprenticeship that Hamilton Wentworth District School Board (HWDSB) had arranged. When I questioned it, I was told that I didn’t need to stay in secondary school anyways because I had enough credits to graduate. It was difficult to be in a position where I had to explain to educators that my participation in co-op wasn’t just about earning credits. At the time I was 17 years old and wanted to gain work experience that would eventually help me get a job as an apprentice. My intention was to return to school and re-register if necessary once the eight weeks of training was completed for level 1. It seemed unreasonable to lose all the hours I had earned towards my apprenticeship, not to mention the time and effort the employers went to in order to get my clearance and administrative work done for the placement at HHS. I did more research online to find out what rules or restrictions there were around attending College while still in secondary school. I discovered that there was not a lot of information about it, but I could request the principal’s approval for a temporary absence (similar to what some students do for medical or other reasons). I reached out to the MP who referred me to the school trustee. Shortly after this, my request was approved to attend Mohawk College. Although the experience was stressful, I eventually I completed Level 1 309A Construction and Maintenance in May 2017 and I graduated with my OSSD in June 2017.

In preparation for my job search, I requested reference letters from my co-op employers that stated how many hours I had worked for them. There was no issue with obtaining letters from my first placement and placement at HHS. However, my second co-op placement was very unwilling to provide a letter. It was upsetting to think none of my hours earned at that placement would count towards my apprenticeship so I persisted in making requests for the letter. After a couple of months, he eventually provided the letter. I learned later, that the company was unionized and was not supposed to have secondary school co-op students on the work sites.

As a first-year apprentice, and female it was difficult to find a job. I searched many websites and paid particular attention to companies that had female staff, in the hopes that my chances of being hired would be greater. After a couple of months, I was hired by a medium-sized company with the promise of becoming signed on as an apprentice. After three months of working for this company, I asked when I would be signed on. I was told that they didn’t have enough electricians to meet the required ratio of electricians: apprentices. During the winter work became slow and I was laid off.

At this point, I had accumulated enough hours that I was ready to complete my second level of in-school training. I contacted my one of my previous teachers at Mohawk College and I contacted the OCOT to ask if I could complete the second level while I was laid off work. The arrangements were made and I completed level 2 in the spring of 2018. I was 18 years old.

Another search for an employer began. I decided to submit my resume to companies who had more electricians and/growing companies that could take on an apprentice (the required ratio of apprentice/electrician). One month after completing level 2 I found my second ‘paid’ job.

Throughout high school and during my first job I gained experience in residential. This was my first job in residential and commercial. This was also my first opportunity to work on sites that would require working at heights (bucket). Again, during my job interview, I was told me that I would be signed on as an apprentice. After four and a half months, I asked him if he would be signing me on since I had completed the three-month probationary period. I followed up with him a couple of times and after six months I also asked if he would complete the T2200 Declaration of Conditions of Employment. He was not reimbursing me for the additional tools he told me I had to buy for work, so I needed this form in order to claim the expense on my Income tax return. When he asked how I obtained the form, I told him that my aunt gave me the form as she works for CRA and said I could claim the expense. He told me that he would not fill out the form because I had received a loan for tools for $400 through the Ministry of Training, Colleges and University (MTCU). A week after that he laid me off.

This was the second year that I had been laid off in December and the third time I received a letter from the Ontario College of Trades. I was invited to complete the third block of in-school training. I chose not to attend training for level 3 at that time. After speaking with other apprentices, teachers and employers I would like to build up my knowledge and skills so that I am prepared to write the Certification of Qualification exam shortly after I complete level 3.

It took a lot of planning and hard work throughout high school. I had to sacrifice time to make sure I completed summer school and I also had to work a part-time job on the weekends to pay for tools, workwear etc., but I am really glad I took advantage of all the training and opportunities that were available. I gained experience, graduated as a level 2 apprentice and earned over 2000 hours towards my apprenticeship. My biggest challenge has been finding an employer willing to hire and sponsor me.

I regularly searched various online sites looking for job opportunities for a second-year apprentice. While searching for a job I stumbled on the site ‘Support Ontario Youth’ (SOY). The description fit exactly with my situation. ‘Are you between the ages of 15 and 29 and looking for work? Laid off?’ I have been able to find employers who hire me, but they haven’t sponsored me. Not only will I gain work experience, but SOY has also sponsored me so the hours I earn at any job will contribute to my apprenticeship until an employer decides to sponsor me. SOY has provided guidance and support that keeps me motivated to continue and complete my journey as an apprentice. In addition to giving me feedback on my resume, SOY is also there to help me with any issues I may have with an employer and they provide me with the information I was not aware of including, the new Apprenticeship Incentive Grant for Women. SOY is there to assist me with any questions I have as an apprentice.

SOY stepped in and saved my bacon. As an apprentice, even if you are working you need SOY. The infrastructure and connections: OCOT, Employers, Grants, Journeyman on call, also other apprentices. SOY helped me register with OCOT, gave me the necessary paperwork to follow through on my Apprenticeship. They also heard me complain and swear off the whole apprentice thing all together. But they always had an answer was it the best? I don’t know because it works and I like when things work.