The Ontario College of Trades lists 156 skilled trades. They can be divided into four major categories: Construction, Industrial, Motive Power, and Service. The following lists examples of skilled trades in each of these categories.
Construction
Bricklayer AKA brick and stone mason
Construction boilermaker
Drywall finisher and plasterer
Electrician
General Carpenter
Glazier AKA architectural glass and metal technician
Hazardous materials worker
Plumber
Powerline technician
Refrigeration and air conditioning systems Mechanic
Roofer
Steamfitter
Tilesetter AKA terrazzo, tile, and marble setter
Industrial
Cabinetmaker
Elevating devices mechanic
General machinist
Industrial electrician
Locksmith
Optics technician AKA lens and prism maker
Packaging machine mechanic
Precision metal fabricator
Railway car technician
Tool and die maker
Tractor-trailer commercial driver
Welder
Motive Power
Agricultural equipment technician
Alignment and brakes technician
Auto body and collision damage repairer
Heavy duty equipment technician
Marine engine technician
Motorcycle technician AKA motorcycle mechanic
Tire, wheel, and rim mechanic
Truck and coach technician AKA truck and transport mechanic
Turf equipment technician
Service
Aboriginal child development practitioner
Arborist
Baker
Chef
Child and youth worker
Developmental services worker
Educational assistant
Hairstylist
Horticultural technician AKA landscape horticulturalist
Micro-electronics manufacturer
Network cabling specialist
Parts technician AKA partsperson
Special events coordinator
These lists are not comprehensive: for the entire 156 skilled trades, go to http://www.earnwhileyoulearn.ca/156trades. If you are interested in pursuing a skilled trade, the first step is to research the trades that you are interested in. This may involve determining the length of training, costs, funding opportunities and grants, trade-specific requirements, sponsor availability, job prospects, median income, certification requirements, whether you would be self-employed or work for an organization.
Once you have chosen your desired trade, you need to find a sponsor, which is “a person, group, or organization that takes responsibility for ensuring that you are getting opportunities to learn all of the skills required for you to complete your apprenticeship in accordance with the Ontario College of Trades and Apprenticeship Act, 2009”. During your training, you are considered an apprentice. Upon completion of your apprenticeship and certification in your skilled trade, you are considered a journeyperson and can then take on apprentices of your own.
Apprenticeships are primarily hands-on learning with little to some classroom learning depending on the trade. They lead to fulfilling and well-compensated careers. Combined with the projected shortage of skilled tradespeople in Ontario, skilled trades is an attractive option for young people and those looking to make a career change.
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