Workplace and Apprenticeship Information

Canada is experiencing a severe shortage of skilled trades people and the average age of those currently employed in the trades is over 50. These two factors combine to produce both an urgent and a sustained demand for young workers to enter the four available sectors: Construction, Industrial, Motive Power, or Service. The links below serve as a starting point for researching the available options for this post secondary destination.

	Ministry of Colleges, Training and Universities - Apprenticeship is hands-on training for people who enjoy learning by doing. Apprentices are paid while gaining work experience, and their wages increase with their level of skills.
	The Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program- Become an apprentice while still in High School. You may be eligible to start as soon as you have completed your grade 10 year if you are 16 years  old, and have earned 16 credits.
	York Region Co-operative Education - Cooperative Education is an educational program that integrates classroom theory with practical experience in the workplace. The program is based on a partnership between the school and a business or community organization. It involves the participation of students, teachers and placement supervisors. This is a credit-earning program.
	Made With The Trades - Over the next ten years, the construction industry will continue to be a growing sector. That gives you a pretty good idea of where the jobs will be. Jobs that are highly paid, highly in demand. Because you earn while you learn, you'll be on your way to everything you want in life sooner.
	Skills Connect - Apprenticeship information from the Ministries of Education and Training, Colleges and Universities. This site promotes careers in skilled trades. It outlines the wide range of available jobs that can become stepping-stones to creating your own business, or expanding your skills at a college or university.
	Skilled Trades at monster.ca -Research shows that the negative perceptions Canadians have toward skilled trades have a lot to do with the looming shortage of skilled trades people ....
	Careers in Trades - a website funded by the Government of Canada’s Sector Council Program as part of the Skills Canada initiative. You will find everything you need to know about careers in skilled trades and why choosing such careers make so much sense.
	Toronto Construction Association - developed by the Toronto Construction Association's  Educational Advisory Board, tcaconnect.com is an online database of all the construction, management and related education and training courses offered by Ontario's leading education institutions, associations and other agencies.
	Work Smart Ontario - This is the official website of the Ontario Ministry of Labour for young workers and new workers. Find out how to be safe at work. Find out how to be treated fairly.