The Realities of an Apprenticeship from People Working in the Trades

Why did you choose apprenticeship for your education, and how did you decide on the trade you’re currently apprenticing in as your career?

Steve - I was feeling ready to get off shift work. When I started to look at career options, I knew friends from my past were working in the trades. I looked at technology and geopolitically how jobs are being changed with AI. The trades are looking very safe and very unlikely to be eliminated by technology. The trades are not going away. They provide good job security. 

Jill - I have an administrative background but it didn’t pay well. I wanted to have a better paying job and make a career change. Now I have a really rewarding job and am glad I stuck it out.

I contacted Support Ontario Youth after my second set of in-class courses (level 2). They work with a group of employers which helps when trying to get employed , instead of trying to find one on your own. That was a HUGE help.

Jevan - I grew up in the trades with a close friend of my parents and I enjoy working with my hands. I feel like I am accomplishing something. I really don’t like sitting at a desk or on a computer. My dad has his own company and I met my current employer through him.

Samim – My decision to becoming an apprentice electrician started after I came to Canada. I liked the idea of being able to earn while learning in an apprenticeship. I considered continuing my education at college or university for accounting or IT, but the skilled trades made more sense to me.

Tell us what you liked best about your apprenticeship.

Steve – The best part is working with my hands...creating or building something...using my own creativity to get the job done.

Jill - I enjoy the hands-on aspect of the job as well. I take pride in doing a job well and like being creative in finding solutions to problems.

Jevan - Yes. It’s the hands-on nature of the work, I agree. It’s something new every day.

Samim - I saw tradespeople working in uniform and this appealed to me. 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 is doing the wiring, lights and piping. I’m also learning about different kinds of lighting, including pot lights and large lights for platforms. I like electrical work because it has the technical component and involved both your brain and your body. I also enjoy the hands-on work and the mental challenge of staying focused.

What did you like least about your apprenticeship?

Steve – I least liked trying to get answers to my questions. I found it very difficult to navigate through the apprenticeship program and know the path without any guidance. I’d find a job for my apprenticeship only to find out that I did not follow the process properly and all the hours I had worked did not count. There are gaps in the process and it is not always clear what documents or forms need to be completed or what records need to be kept.

Support Ontario Youth was very useful to me. They helped map out my apprenticeship and answered all my questions. I came to really rely on and trust SOY when I needed help. They made sure I was following the right process, keeping proper records, and helped me understand what each next step would be. I have seen people quit the program because they didn’t get this kind of help. SOY was a lifesaver.

Jill - I found the hardest part was my co-workers’ mentality. When I was first starting out, it was hard being the lowest ranking person as the apprentice. Being the rookie on the team and doing the more menial tasks was tough for the first year. I’m glad I stuck it out though.

Jevan – I found the weather conditions to be hard to manage when it was cold.

Samim - The period of apprenticeship until to be a licenced electrician was always a concern for me, which is a lot of time, especially for those people who start late at the age 35 or above. But the positive side is that you are being paid for those hours.

Second thing is that as a first-year apprentice, or any level apprentice, people at the job site sometimes they don’t trust you to give you a difficult or better task. No matter if you are willing to do it. And you are participating there as a helper. On the other hand, it gives you a chance to learn from trained professionals by focusing on their work. 

What do you wish you had known before you started your apprenticeship education?

Steve - I wish I knew my clear path, how to do the paperwork, and the order of the program. It would have been great to understand the step-by-step process. I really wish I knew about SOY in the beginning. I see a lot of apprentices that have family members in the trades to help them through the process. It makes it easier if someone can guide you through. SOY was very helpful for me to understand the process and have someone to ask questions to.

Jill - I would have liked to know how the apprenticeship program worked before I got started. Things like using the logbook, finding an employer, etc. I thought I had to call the ministry to sign up and then find an employer. The actual process is to find an employer or sponsor first before you can sign up for the apprenticeship program which I didn’t know in the beginning.

Jevan - I had a lot of coaching from family and friends. I tell people to shop around and find the right employer. Also, find the right industry for you (commercial work vs. residential work). Residential seems to be more one-on-one, smaller companies, more personal contact with employees and supervisors. Commercial is more blueprints, larger companies, less time with supervisors (just clocking in and doing the work...not having a close relationship with one manager).

Having tools is very important to help you find an employer. Be willing to learn and work hard to get hired. Be happy to have a job and learn a skilled trade to improve yourself to become a better worker and skilled tradesperson. Be persistent and ask questions to learn.  Be willing to work and pay attention to the minor details on the job.

Samim - I wish I had enough experience on the field and enough training on job site equipment and machines. Also, in my point of view, I should have completed my level one course before I start working in the field. That would have helped me a lot.

What is your educational background?

Steve - I am a Humber College graduate – the music program. I did my Post Grad course for teaching English as a second language.  Neither of these really helped with the apprenticeship program. I decided to start doing part-time work as a general labourer for construction, home renovations, and I even did my own projects on my home. I like working with my hands and this experience helped me when I started my apprenticeship.

Jill - I went to college for two years to become a Legal Assistant.

Jevan - I just graduated high school this year.

Samim – I completed high school in Afghanistan and completed Adult Secondary School for Canadian recognition. I have also completed graphic design courses back in my home country before coming to Canada.

Do you have any family members in the skilled trades, and did they have any influence on why you chose your path?

Steve – None of my family members are in the trades or really influenced me in that direction.

Jill – None of my family members are in the skilled trades either.

Jevan – A friend of the family helped me. One of my good friends from school is also looking into an apprenticeship program so we are doing it together.

Samim - I do not have any family members in the trade, but people in my community advised me about the job opportunities in the trades.

To find out more if the apprenticeship path might be right for you, click through the “Apprentices+” tabs on our website. You don’t have to struggle through the apprenticeship process on your own. Support Ontario Youth is here to help. Reach out today for more information.