Apprenticeships

Apprenticeship programs in Ontario are a skilled occupation training opportunity that blends on-the-job training and in-class instruction. There are 157 skilled occupations in which you can register as an apprentice with the Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development (MLITSD) in Ontario. These apprenticeship programs are in the motive power, industrial, construction and service sectors.

Pre-apprenticeship programs are fully funded by MLITSD with the goal of training more skilled tradespeople in response to Ontario’s labour shortage of skilled workers.

Explore Loyalist College’s pre-apprenticeship and apprenticeship and programs:

Apprenticeship

Pre-Apprenticeship

Apprenticeship

Your apprenticeship program will begin with a registered training agreement with an employer/sponsor that qualifies to hire you. On average, apprentices will learn approximately 80 percent of their trade on the job and 20 percent at an approved college or training centre.

Admission requirements

The majority of apprenticeship programs have a Grade 12 educational entrance requirement and the applicant must be 16 years of age or older to register. For specific trade requirements or Grade 12 equivalencies refer to the Ministry website at ontario.ca/page/employment-ontario or call the Ministry training hotline at 1-800-387-5656.

Costs

Earn while you learn. You will receive a paycheque from your employer/sponsor for your on-the-job training. Minimal classroom and book fees apply to your in-class training. You may qualify for some incentive programs.

Loyalist College is approved to deliver the following apprenticeship programs:

Jump-start your apprenticeship journey with a Loyalist College diploma

Gain hands-on skills working with industry tools in our state-of-the-art labs, and learn from industry experts. The skills and experience you get in a diploma program at Loyalist can help you market yourself to an employer willing to take you on as an apprentice. 

What’s more, upon completion of the programs below, you may be eligible for exemption of the in-school training portion for that respective trade. 

Trade Ministry Name Loyalist Diploma Program Equivalent Apprenticeship Schedule
309A Electrician (Construction and Maintenance) Electrical Engineering Technician – Industrial Levels 1, 2
442A

Industrial Electrician

 Electrical Engineering Technician – Industrial Levels 1, 2
310S

Automotive Service Technician

 Motive Power Technician – Service and Management Levels 1, 2
456A Welder Welding and Fabrication Technician Level 1
 

Pre-Apprenticeship

Process Operator – Food Manufacturing (246T) & Industrial Electrician (442A) CLOSED

Please note: This program is no longer accepting applications; please check back to this page for upcoming apprenticeship opportunities.

Prepare for an in-demand career in the skilled trades or as an apprentice with the Process Operator – Food Manufacturing & Industrial Electrician “Try-A-Trade” pre-apprenticeship training program.

Pre-apprenticeship programs are fully funded by the Ministry of Labour, Immigration Training and Skills Development (MLITSD) to develop more skilled tradespeople in response to Ontario’s labour shortage of skilled workers.  

 Find Your Career

  • Take the first step toward becoming an apprentice specializing in Food Process Operator.
  • Food process operators are employed by food and beverage manufacturing and processing companies to operate, monitor, adjust and maintain food processing units and equipment.
  • Industrial electricians lay out, inspect, assemble, install, repair and maintain a range of industrial electrical systems and equipment.
  • Gain job readiness and skilled trades experience to gain employment as an apprentice.
  • Upon program completion, advance into an apprenticeship program or secure full-time employment in a manufacturing role.
  • Your pre-apprenticeship training will automatically be recognized by MLTSD.

Program Highlights

  • Designed to support potential apprentices who may need trade readiness experience to gain employment as apprentices.
  • This program is fully-funded by MLTSD; tuition and all learning resources are free for program participants.
  • Gain hands-on experience during a 10-week paid work placement.
  • Receive a Loyalist College Certificate of Completion

Program Length & Location

June 20 – November 18, 2022 at the Belleville Campus & On-Site Work Placement

Schedule of Training

  • Literacy & Basic Skills (1 week – Loyalist College)
  • Health & Safety Training (1 week – Loyalist College)
  • Classroom Training (8 weeks – Loyalist College)
  • Job Readiness & Exposure to Sector (1 week – Loyalist College)
  • Work Placement (10 weeks – Employer Facilities)
  • Program Wrap-up & Support (4 weeks – Loyalist College)

Tuition & Fees

This program is fully funded by the Ministry of Labour, Immigration Training and Skills Development (MLITSD). Tuition is free and the funding includes all learning resources, including tools, textbooks and personal protective equipment (PPE).

Admission Requirements

  • Prospective students will need to be out of full-time work and school.
    • Exceptions can be reviewed on a case by case basis, based on whether participating in full-time education or occupational training will affect an individual’s ability to participate in Pre-Apprenticeship activities and ability to enter into employment.
    • Interested applicants will be assessed entrance tests in Math, English and Reading Comprehension, (Ontario Grade 12 or Equivalent) followed by an interview to gain entrance to the program.  

Additional Expectations for Training/Employment

  • Ability to commit to full-time training
  • Reliable transportation
  • Physical demands
    • Able to lift 50 lbs and fit to work in a labour role
  • Interest in working in skilled trades or as an apprentice

Pre-apprenticeship programs are opportunities to help people interested in the trades gain the skills needed to enter the apprenticeship system. They are designed to help with essential resources and support in order to develop the trade-specific knowledge, job skills and work experience necessary to start a career in the skilled trades. In response to urgent industry demand, Loyalist College has recently launched this new program, created in partnership with Employment Ontario.

Questions?

Please contact cesbelleville@loyalistcollege.com.

Download Brochure

This Employment Ontario program is funded in part by the Government of Canada and the Government of Ontario.

The views expressed on this page are those of Loyalist College. The Government of Ontario and its agencies are in no way bound by any recommendations on this page.

Additional Resources

Text to voice programs

Navigating Blackboard: Student Learning Kit