Are you at a crossroad? There are several paths to follow to work. A few ideas:
A useful WEB site is http://www.contactpoint.ca/html/ftp/sheets.html This site has a growing list of occupational fact sheets. If you are foreign trained, this is a good starting point for you.
Occupations in Canada are regulated or non-regulated. If they are regulated, a practitioner must meet licensing requirements. Almost 50 professional categories and over 100 trades (apprenticed) are regulated. This adds up to 20% or 3 million workers. These occupations are usually the responsibility of a Provincial Government. There are very few exceptions. Workers who make up the 80% non-regulated workforce meet standards set by employers.
If you are practising your trade or profession and wish to move to another province, you need to find out the requirements of that province. They may be different!
Apprenticeship is a hands-on training program for individuals wanting to work in a skilled trade. It is a combination of classroom work and on- the-job training.
If you are interested in a trade, you may want to look at the requirements for different occupations. Apprentices learn a trade while they earn.
| Job | Training Time | Job | Training Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Baker | 3-4 years | Carpenter | 4-5 years |
| Cook | 3 years | Electrician | 4-5 years |
| Hairstylist | 2-3 years | Plumber | 4-5 years |
| Horticulturist | 2 1/4 years | Steam fitter | 4 1/2 years |
| Network cabling specialist | 2 years | Boilermaker | 3-4 years |
| Automotive service technician | 3-5 years | Sheetmetal worker | 4-5 years |
| Motorcycle mechanic | 3 years | General machinist | About 4 years |
| Heavy-dutyequipment mechanic | 4 1/2 years | Mould maker | About 4 years |
| Marine-engine technician | 2-3 1/2 years | Tool and die maker | About 4 years |
| Auto-body repairer | 3-4 years | Millwright | About 4 years |
For a complete listing of Apprenticeship Trades, visit:
http://www.durham.edu.on.ca/careerdev/Appr.html