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Ontario is now paying people to become electricians and the training is free

AndrewX

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Apr 7, 2020
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Sounds like a great deal

If you've been thinking about making a career change lately but can't stomach the cost of going back to school, Ontario's provincial government would like you to consider becoming an electrician — they'll even pay for it.

The Ford government announced this week that it will be investing more than $13 million into a series of projects aimed at boosting the number of skilled workers available across the province.

"With over $2 billion in infrastructure projects on the horizon, Ontario faces a shortage of electricians and other skilled trades workers," reads a release announcing the move. "This investment will help the province deliver critical hospitals, schools, and roads on time and on budget."

The new Ontario Electrical Industry Training Trust Fund in particular aims to provide free training and paid apprenticeships for more than 2,500 people across the province who are either "unemployed or looking to earn bigger paychecks."

Not only will the government pay for all your training (no need to tango with OSAP) and hook you up with a paid apprenticeship, they'll prepare you to find work in a lucrative field that nearly guarantees job security.

"When you have a job as an electrician, you have an in-demand job for life," said Minister of Labour, Training and Skills Development, Monte McNaughton, when announcing the news.

"I continue to hear from students and parents who don't know how to enter this incredible field — which can pay over $50 an hour. That is why our government is investing over $1.5 billion in programs like this, which break down barriers and connect young people to life-changing careers in the skilled trades."

You can learn more about how to apply through the government's Skills Development Fund portal.

If selected for the program, the province says you'll get comprehensive training focused on "safety, best practices for installation, and other skills crucial skills for electricians" and that you'll be offered employment upon completion of the program "as the first step toward securing well-paying, meaningful careers."

Not a bad time to jump jobs for people who are less-than-happy with their current gigs; Electricians can make more than $100,000 per year in Ontario, and some get to do really cool things like hang out in those buckets above their trucks.

Talk about high-voltage!

 

black booty lover

Well-known member
Oct 21, 2007
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The funny part is for years, I was trying to figure out how to do this, and it seemed like every path I investigated there was a road block. I was ask someone, how do you become an electrician and we be told "you have to find a journeyman to bring you on as an apprentice". I was asked "how do you go about doing that?" and could never seem to get a straight answer. I would ask someone else, and they would be like "It's a union so you have to contact the union", and it would be never ending.

Even back then trades people were high demand and I would think to myself "why are they making this so fucking difficult to get in in they're are in demand so bad???"
 
Nov 22, 2012
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The funny part is for years, I was trying to figure out how to do this, and it seemed like every path I investigated there was a road block. I was ask someone, how do you become an electrician and we be told "you have to find a journeyman to bring you on as an apprentice". I was asked "how do you go about doing that?" and could never seem to get a straight answer. I would ask someone else, and they would be like "It's a union so you have to contact the union", and it would be never ending.

Even back then trades people were high demand and I would think to myself "why are they making this so fucking difficult to get in in they're are in demand so bad???"
If anyone is interested on going into the trades you need to contact whichever local union of the trade you are interested in doing. If you are selected they set you up for schooling and set you up for work. Union companies get the bulk of the work in the GTA and not only do you make a good wage but you also get 10 percent vacation pay, good health benefits and a pension. Non Union companies don't pay all that great and you get nothing other then an hrly wage. Those collage courses and other schools are a waste of time and your money.
 

black booty lover

Well-known member
Oct 21, 2007
9,828
1,754
113
If anyone is interested on going into the trades you need to contact whichever local union of the trade you are interested in doing. If you are selected they set you up for schooling and set you up for work. Union companies get the bulk of the work in the GTA and not only do you make a good wage but you also get 10 percent vacation pay, good health benefits and a pension. Non Union companies don't pay all that great and you get nothing other then an hrly wage. Those collage courses and other schools are a waste of time and your money.

See...this is what I'm talking about. You have contact the local union, which can be hard to figured out. "If you are selected" which still sounds like this doubtful opportunity, they finally set you up to go to school.

10/15 years ago when I wanted to make a career change and was thinking about becoming an electrician, I kept hearing "Ontario is desperate for trades people", but the answers I got were like this but with even less certainty.

This to me is still not promoting young Canadians to get into trades if they are this desperate.
 
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jcpro

Well-known member
Jan 31, 2014
24,670
6,839
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The selection for the entry into trades should be done at the high-school level and there should be dedicated high-schools that specialize in the trade education and skill development. Many countries do that. Here, we keep our students for four years in the post elementary"education " system and most of them have no skills at the time of graduation. We concentrate too much on the academic pursuits and wasting 4 years of life for majority of students. Not everyone can or even should seek university education and trades pay real money and offer lifelong employment.
 

toguy5252

Well-known member
Jun 22, 2009
15,964
6,108
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Sounds like a great deal

If you've been thinking about making a career change lately but can't stomach the cost of going back to school, Ontario's provincial government would like you to consider becoming an electrician — they'll even pay for it.

The Ford government announced this week that it will be investing more than $13 million into a series of projects aimed at boosting the number of skilled workers available across the province.

"With over $2 billion in infrastructure projects on the horizon, Ontario faces a shortage of electricians and other skilled trades workers," reads a release announcing the move. "This investment will help the province deliver critical hospitals, schools, and roads on time and on budget."

The new Ontario Electrical Industry Training Trust Fund in particular aims to provide free training and paid apprenticeships for more than 2,500 people across the province who are either "unemployed or looking to earn bigger paychecks."

Not only will the government pay for all your training (no need to tango with OSAP) and hook you up with a paid apprenticeship, they'll prepare you to find work in a lucrative field that nearly guarantees job security.

"When you have a job as an electrician, you have an in-demand job for life," said Minister of Labour, Training and Skills Development, Monte McNaughton, when announcing the news.

"I continue to hear from students and parents who don't know how to enter this incredible field — which can pay over $50 an hour. That is why our government is investing over $1.5 billion in programs like this, which break down barriers and connect young people to life-changing careers in the skilled trades."

You can learn more about how to apply through the government's Skills Development Fund portal.

If selected for the program, the province says you'll get comprehensive training focused on "safety, best practices for installation, and other skills crucial skills for electricians" and that you'll be offered employment upon completion of the program "as the first step toward securing well-paying, meaningful careers."

Not a bad time to jump jobs for people who are less-than-happy with their current gigs; Electricians can make more than $100,000 per year in Ontario, and some get to do really cool things like hang out in those buckets above their trucks.

Talk about high-voltage!

The irony here is that they are now trying to encourage people to go into construction trades at the same time the BOC and Feds are trying to kill the housing market. They should have done this 3 years ago.
 

Dutch Oven

Well-known member
Feb 12, 2019
6,995
2,481
113
Getting into the trades has been the best possible idea for hundreds of thousands of young workers for at least the last 15 years. The fact that they haven't done so is a clear testament to the failure of our public school system. That system is completely oriented to academic preparation for white collar (or pink collar) college and university programs. Our children have been taught to look down on working in the trades. Stupid, wrong, and costly to the economy.
 

jcpro

Well-known member
Jan 31, 2014
24,670
6,839
113
You still need a GED to get into a trade.
Which is unnecessary. It would be better to simply establish trade schools in place of the current post elementary system and award the GED at the completion.
 

jimieboe

Active member
Feb 4, 2009
130
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If anyone is interested on going into the trades you need to contact whichever local union of the trade you are interested in doing. If you are selected they set you up for schooling and set you up for work. Union companies get the bulk of the work in the GTA and not only do you make a good wage but you also get 10 percent vacation pay, good health benefits and a pension. Non Union companies don't pay all that great and you get nothing other then an hrly wage. Those collage courses and other schools are a waste of time and your money.
Not true....I worked both, yes more higher pay in union but your just a number and sign a list when your done and wait your turn for the next job...nom union most pay fair and benefits, but the freedom you get is worth the extra pay. If you workout they even keep u working when things are slow...not send you home and wait. Both have their advantages and disadvantages its really up to the individual...when i was union was almost like a prison...but again pay is really good.
 

philandsararecordings

I feel even better...
Mar 26, 2021
335
328
63
The funny part is for years, I was trying to figure out how to do this, and it seemed like every path I investigated there was a road block. I was ask someone, how do you become an electrician and we be told "you have to find a journeyman to bring you on as an apprentice". I was asked "how do you go about doing that?" and could never seem to get a straight answer. I would ask someone else, and they would be like "It's a union so you have to contact the union", and it would be never ending.

Even back then trades people were high demand and I would think to myself "why are they making this so fucking difficult to get in in they're are in demand so bad???"
I think for some companies, it's not worth the time investment in having an apprentice. They'd rather pay a bit more to get someone who has experience so they can get the job done quicker...
 

DanteHall

New member
Apr 11, 2023
12
7
3
Wow, that's fantastic news! I've always admired electricians' skills, and now, knowing that Ontario is offering free training and paid apprenticeships is a game-changer. It's a fantastic opportunity for anyone looking to switch careers and secure a well-paying job. However, I find this guide telling that courses in electrical technology cost from $4,400 to $9,229. So, maybe free courses are not the same in quality.
 
Last edited:

Not getting younger

Well-known member
Jun 29, 2022
4,555
2,456
113
If anyone is interested on going into the trades you need to contact whichever local union of the trade you are interested in doing. If you are selected they set you up for schooling and set you up for work. Union companies get the bulk of the work in the GTA and not only do you make a good wage but you also get 10 percent vacation pay, good health benefits and a pension. Non Union companies don't pay all that great and you get nothing other then an hrly wage. Those collage courses and other schools are a waste of time and your money.
“Depends”
I know a few, know some younger kids that tired to get into it, and had a ton of difficulty.

my understanding from talking to friends who are. Including a family member that’s a master, worked for an oil company in the patch in charge of their electricians and is now back in Ontario running his own.

There’s two routes. In essence the unionized trade route, the private route. Pay for both is about the same and benefits can vary. Know the family member pays his crews well, as do some of his competitors. Aka the employees stay with them, and there’s little cross.

One issue with the Union route is getting hours to become a journeyman/master. Seniority rules. A good friends son tried that route. Gave up and went to a private.

Either way, this is indeed very good. The trades are in need, and projected to get worse as the boomers in them start retiring. Should have been done years and years ago.
 

dirtyharry555

Well-known member
Feb 7, 2011
2,847
2,332
113
The funny part is for years, I was trying to figure out how to do this, and it seemed like every path I investigated there was a road block. I was ask someone, how do you become an electrician and we be told "you have to find a journeyman to bring you on as an apprentice". I was asked "how do you go about doing that?" and could never seem to get a straight answer. I would ask someone else, and they would be like "It's a union so you have to contact the union", and it would be never ending.

Even back then trades people were high demand and I would think to myself "why are they making this so fucking difficult to get in in they're are in demand so bad???"
My understanding is that when Boomers were in high-school, they had shop class. They were taught things like auto mechanics by literally working on actual cars.

Like many other useful skills (firearms handling, etc) all of this great standard training was decommissioned for no good reason.
 

Not getting younger

Well-known member
Jun 29, 2022
4,555
2,456
113
My understanding is that when Boomers were in high-school, they had shop class. They were taught things like auto mechanics by literally working on actual cars.

Like many other useful skills (firearms handling, etc) all of this great standard training was decommissioned for no good reason.

So true.
Not sure if the tech schools even exist anymore. For that matter, in grades 7-8 we had a shop with a forge and more. Home Ec too.
 
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