Canada Apprentice Loan →
Up to CAD 4,000 per eligible technical-training period; maximum five periods
Check requirements and where to start →Program details are in English. Page labels are translated.
Your full route · Ontario
From curious about trades to apprentice
I want to get into the trades but do not know which trade or who can help.
Goal: Try a trade, then find an employer to sponsor your apprenticeship
- Time
- At least 2 months
- Cost · CAD
- Training is mostly free; other costs vary
Some steps have no published time or cost
Based on official sources. Confirm with each provider before paying.
Before you pay
- Most pre-apprenticeship programs here are free. Ask what comes after: employer introductions, placement and sponsorship.
- Check the catchment area. Many programs only accept people living nearby.
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https://app.possibilityatlas.ca/route/route-start-in-trades/
A clearer next step
Your route, step by step
Follow the steps that fit your situation. “Choose one” offers alternatives; “Alongside” can happen while you work on other steps.
Choose one
Try a trade through a pre-apprenticeship program
Most of these programs are free and include a work placement. Many only serve one region.
- Time
- About 1.75–7 monthsFrom 7 weeks (YMCA Ottawa) to about 30 weeks (Career Foundation carpentry).
- Cost · CAD
- Training is mostly free; other costs varyMost have no program fee; Building Up's and Hammer Heads' costs aren't published.
Toronto and GTA
Building UpPre-Apprenticeship Training Program Confirm cost with providerIn personOpen — confirm placesHammer Heads / Central Ontario Building TradesHammer Heads Confirm cost with providerIn personNot confirmedYouth Employment Services YESYES2Trades No program feeIn personNot confirmedACCES EmploymentConstructing a Future Workforce No program feeIn personNot confirmedYWCA Toronto with Terrazzo, Tile & Marble Trade SchoolTerrazzo, Tile & Marble Setter Pre-apprenticeship Program No program feeOnlineNot confirmedThe Career FoundationArborist Ground Worker Training Program (Skills Development Fund) No program feeIn personNot confirmedHamilton
Waterloo Region
Ottawa
Everyone
Find a sponsor and register as an apprentice
An apprenticeship starts when an employer sponsors you and you register with Skilled Trades Ontario.
- Time
- Not publishedApprenticeship length depends on the trade.
- Cost · CAD
- Costs not published yetDepends on the trade.
Check starting your apprenticeship (skilledtradesontario.ca) ↗ (opens in a new tab)
Plan before committing
Help with costs
These supports have their own eligibility rules. Admission does not guarantee funding, and loans must be repaid.
Ontario Tools Grant →
CAD 1,000 motive power; CAD 600 construction/industrial; CAD 400 service trades
Check requirements and where to start →Ontario Apprentice Development Benefit →
Individual assessment; no flat amount published
Check requirements and where to start →Better Jobs Ontario (BJO) →
Up to CAD 28,000 for training of 52 weeks or less; up to CAD 35,000 for longer training, up to two years; assessed support
Check requirements and where to start →Official sources for this route
Open each program’s sources to see the original provider information and its checked date.
- Pre-Apprenticeship Training Program — sources →
- Hammer Heads — sources →
- YES2Trades — sources →
- Constructing a Future Workforce — sources →
- Terrazzo, Tile & Marble Setter Pre-apprenticeship Program — sources →
- Arborist Ground Worker Training Program (Skills Development Fund) — sources →
- General Carpenter Pre-Apprenticeship Program for Youth — sources →
- Pre-Apprenticeship General Machinist/Tool & Die — sources →
- Intercultural Pan-Canadian Green Buildings and Retrofits Training Project: Coast to Coast to Coast — Ottawa delivery — sources →
- Power of Trades — sources →
After this route
What comes next
Apprentices get paid on the job and can use apprentice loans and grants for technical training and tools.
Explore more possibilities →