By Nina Dragicevic

Apprenticeships can be a dream scenario. You can earn while you learn, jobs are in demand, incomes are often high.

Employers and governments are eager to help students through the process with a variety of grants, resources and learning supports.

EllisChart.ca shows how 320 trades are handled across the country — whether certification is available and compulsory, if apprenticeship programs exist, how many training hours are required, and so on.

Would-be apprentices can thrive with a few key qualities and interests, said Jeff Ritter, CEO of the Saskatchewan Apprenticeship and Trade Certification Commission. 

First and foremost, skilled tradespeople should be problem-solvers, he said. They should have a natural interest in working with their hands and being active throughout the day. They should be comfortable with math and science, as some trades use these subjects daily, he pointed out. 

And technology lovers will thrive in many industries.

“If you like working with the latest technology — this will blow your mind — but the trades are where you want to be,” Ritter said. 

“The future already exists within the skilled trades. Take agricultural equipment technician, for example — they’ve had full self-driving agricultural equipment for years and years. It’s ridiculously high-tech, so if you’re excited about working with the latest and the greatest, this is the place to be.”

Provinces and territories have their own rules regarding regulation, training and certifying of various trades, while Red Seal trades, such as plumber or landscape horticulturist, are formally recognized across Canada. 

The Nova Scotia Apprenticeship Agency, for instance, functions as both a regulator of apprenticeships, as well as organizes programs with training providers.

“There are two different main ways that you can get into an apprenticeship,” said CEO Michelle Bussey. “There’s direct entry — basically anybody can go find an employer that’s willing to take them on as an apprentice, and then they form an agreement with us, and then they’re working as an apprentice. 

“The other way is pre-apprenticeship, or pre-employment. That might be through a local community college where they do a one- or two-year program, get a certificate from the college, and then that puts them in advanced standing.”

That’s a main perk of taking an apprenticeship — you already have a job. Red River College Polytechnic in Winnipeg offers certificates and diplomas for various trades, but joining the apprenticeship program means you’re already hired.

“So when we talk about employment rates, it’s 100 per cent because every apprentice that comes for training is employed,” said Derek Kochenash, dean of the School of Skilled Trades and Technologies. “They have an employer sponsor.”

In terms of challenges, Kochenash said some professions or industries are seasonal, which may involve downtime in the winter, and some trades involve working outside in the elements. But many aspects of trades industries have evolved rapidly for today’s generation.

“One of the stigmas associated with skilled trades is around safety, and being dirty,” Kochenash said. 

“Skilled trades have come miles and miles with respect to their working conditions and the safety measures that are put in place. Back when I was a young apprentice, we certainly didn’t have as much PPE, companies weren’t following the strict safety regimen that is out there today.”

If students assume apprenticeships are fully hands-on learning, Bussey pointed out that classroom training and theory is still involved, as well as exam writing. But there are classroom supports available for those with different learning abilities. 

And some stretches of technical training may not be paid by the employer, Ritter noted — it depends on the company. But students can use employment insurance during gaps in income.

Otherwise, there aren’t many more downsides to apprenticeships for students who have interest in these careers.

“Across the country, there are apprenticeship and skilled trades opportunities in every single community,” Bussey said. “I sit on lots of national committees and groups, and we’re all saying the same thing — nobody can find enough workers. So there’s a huge opportunity.”

Kochenash said workers have a number of employment streams to choose from in trades — they can travel, they can join large infrastructure projects, they can start a business, they can work in management or become president of a company, they can work in education to train others.

There’s a lot of job satisfaction as well, Ritter said.

“The people driving the nice trucks and living in the really nice houses — oftentimes, you know, they’re skilled tradespeople, but they’re humble about it,” he said. 

“They make good livings, they participate in meaningful work, they give back to their communities and they work hard every day. It’s a really first choice career.”

(C) The Canadian Press