Want to earn while you learn? Apprenticeships in Ontario combine paid work with in-class training, leading to a Certificate of Apprenticeship and, in many trades, a Certificate of Qualification and Red Seal. This guide explains how to get a sponsor, what the 1:1 ratio means on the job, typical wage rules, and when the Red Seal matters.
1) Registered vs. non-registered (and compulsory vs. non-compulsory)
- Registered apprentice: You’ve signed a Training Agreement with a sponsor (usually your employer) and it’s registered through the Skilled Trades Ontario (STO) portal. You log competencies/hours and attend level training when invited.
- Compulsory trades: You must be registered (apprentice) or certified to legally work (e.g., Electrician 309A, Plumber 306A). STO’s public register lets you confirm status.
- Non-compulsory trades: Certification isn’t legally required to work, but apprenticeship and certification improve employability and mobility.
“Registered” is your legal apprentice status; “compulsory/non-compulsory” is whether the law requires that status for the trade.
2) How to find a sponsor employer for Ontario Apprenticeship
Your sponsor = your trainer + employer. They commit to giving you the on-the-job tasks listed for your trade and time off for in-school training.
Practical ways to land a sponsor:
- Employment Ontario centres: resume help, referrals, and local leads.
- Union hiring halls / group sponsors (e.g., CLAC, Merit Ontario) if your trade is unionised or you want third-party support.
- Dedicated job boards like ApprenticeSearch.com; also check Job Bank and local contractors.
Shortcut if you’re new to tools: Ontario’s Pre-Apprenticeship Training Program is free and usually includes 8–12 weeks of work placement to help you become hire-ready for a sponsor.
Make onboarding easy: get your SIN before day one so payroll and T4s work from week one.
3) Ratios on site (who can train how many)
Ontario uses a 1:1 journeyperson-to-apprentice ratio in trades where ratios apply. If a shop has 3 qualified journeypersons, it can train 3 apprentices at the same time. Sponsors must stay compliant if staffing changes. For which trades have ratios, see Ontario regulation listings.
Why it matters: Ratios affect hiring and your day-to-day supervision. If a journeyperson leaves, your employer may need to pause new apprentice hires until back in compliance.
4) Ontario Apprenticeship Wages and hours (what to expect)
- You’re an employee. You must be paid at least Ontario’s minimum wage for all hours worked; many employers pay a percentage of the journeyperson rate by level. Track hours carefully.
- In-class training: You’ll be invited to Level 1/2/3 (varies by trade). Seats are managed by the ministry; from April 2, 2025, more registration and exam services are centralised at STO, with Prometric handling test sites.
Mini example: If the shop rate for licensed workers is $40/hr and your agreement pays 60% at Level 1, you’d earn $24/hr—but never below the provincial minimum wage.
5) Red Seal, Certificates, and exams
- Certificate of Apprenticeship (CoA): Issued when you finish your in-school + on-the-job requirements.
- Certificate of Qualification (C of Q): You pass the trade exam; in compulsory trades, this is required to work independently.
- Red Seal Endorsement (RSE): National standard. Passing the Red Seal exam adds “RSE” to your C of Q and signals you can work across Canada without re-testing in that trade.
6) Step-by-step: from first call to first day
- Choose your trade (compulsory or not; check exam and Red Seal status).
- Call an Employment Ontario office and map local employers, unions, or group sponsors.
- Apply for Pre-Apprenticeship (optional) if you need shop basics and safety tickets.
- Get hired and sign a Training Agreement with your sponsor; register it through the STO portal. You’ll receive an apprentice ID and access to logbooks/standards.
- Work + school: Complete level training when invited and sign off skills with your journeyperson.
- Finish + certify: Apply for completion, write the C of Q, then aim for Red Seal if your trade offers it.
Quick tips
- Ask every employer: Who will be my journeyperson trainer?
- Keep your logbook up to date.
- Mark every class invite on a calendar—missing it delays your level and pay increases.
- Check apprentice grants/incentives for you and your sponsor (provincial + federal).
Ontario Apprenticeship FAQ
Do I need a licence to start?
Only for compulsory trades. Non-compulsory trades can hire you, but registering as an apprentice boosts training quality and portability.
What if I can’t find a sponsor yet?
Apply for Pre-Apprenticeship to build skills, then use Employment Ontario and group sponsors to match with employers.
What does the 1:1 ratio look like?
1 journeyperson can train 1 apprentice at a time; 5 journeypersons can train 5 apprentices, etc. If staffing drops, sponsors must fix ratios quickly.
Is Red Seal required?
Not always. It’s a national endorsement that broadens mobility and recognition. Recommended if your trade offers it.
Key takeaways
- Get a sponsor first; they train you and co-sign your agreement.
- Ratios in Ontario are 1:1 where ratios apply; this affects hiring and supervision.
- You must be paid at least minimum wage; many employers use level-based percentages.
- Red Seal signals national competency and easier mobility across provinces.
Who: Written by a former Ontario newcomer who now builds step-by-step education and licensing guides.
How: Checked Skilled Trades Ontario guidance (sponsor duties, ratios, registration and April-2025 exam changes), Ontario minimum wage rules, and Government of Canada Red Seal definitions on 2025-11-09.
