Start your trade. Get paid to learn it.
Apprenticeships in Canada combine paid on-the-job training with technical school. Earn while you learn, end up with a Red Seal certification recognized across the country.
How a Canadian apprenticeship works
Find a sponsor (employer)
You need an employer willing to take you on as an apprentice. They sign a registration agreement with your provincial apprenticeship body. WrkCrew lists employers actively hiring apprentices.
Register with your province
Each province has its own apprenticeship registration. Once registered, your on-the-job hours start counting toward certification.
Work, log hours, attend technical school
Most trades require 6,000-9,000 hours of on-the-job training over 3-5 years, plus 8-12 weeks of technical school per year (usually 4-5 levels total).
Get paid more each year
Apprentice wages scale with your level. Year 1 starts around 40-55% of journeyman rate; Year 4-5 typically hits 90% or more.
Write the Certificate of Qualification exam
Pass the provincial exam to become a journeyman. Add Red Seal endorsement for inter-provincial recognition, write the inter-provincial exam after qualification.
What apprentices typically earn (Ontario electrician example)
Sample wage progression. Real rates vary by employer, union status, and region.
Apprenticeship by province
Each province has its own registration body. Start with the one where you'll work.
Ontario
Skilled Trades Ontario
9,000 hrs typical
Alberta
Alberta Apprenticeship and Industry Training
6,000-9,000 hrs
British Columbia
SkilledTradesBC
Varies by trade
Quebec
CCQ / Emploi-Québec
Varies
Saskatchewan
Saskatchewan Apprenticeship and Trade Certification Commission
Varies
Manitoba
Apprenticeship Manitoba
Varies
Nova Scotia
Nova Scotia Apprenticeship Agency
Varies
New Brunswick
Apprenticeship and Occupational Certification
Varies
Start your trade career on WrkCrew.
Browse employers actively hiring apprentices. Pay shown upfront. Trade school partnerships included.
Find an apprenticeship