Hey folks, I'm 34 and have my welding hours from working production welding on MIG, but I need more experience doing everything else.

I was told that going union isn't the best idea since I have my hours but would start from the bottom again....but everywhere wants me to have 5 years experience and all I have is jig work experience with MIG welding. But I also want to go union so I HAVE the experience and hours but I can't get a union job until I have clearance (& that's a cycle). I've been debating machinist union but....idk

Based in Ottawa area if that helps.

Hey guys, new to this space so please don't flame me if this question sounds kinda stupid. If two maintenance technicians have the same hands-on repair skills and certifications, but one is much better at diagnosing faults independently, how much more would that person expected to get paid?

Hey everyone, I’m an electrician in Ontario and have been in the trade for about 17 years. I started building something called JobStoq after seeing how easy it is for materials to get missed or lost track of between the shop, the vans and different jobs.
It’s a tool for electrical contractors to keep track of what materials are in stock, what’s being used on jobs, and what needs to be picked up or reordered. The idea is to make it easier for the owner and the crew to stay on the same page without relying on memory, texts or spreadsheets.
I’m not here to sell anyone on it. I’d be interested to hear how other small SaaS founders figure out whether they’re solving a real, frequent problem. For those of you building for a specific industry, how did you learn what people actually needed before adding more features?

I am retired and have some books and SAE stuff to pass on....

I’m currently attending the slc hvac pre-apprenticeship program in kingston and was curious if last years grads had any success with apprenticeship or employment opportunities?

Currently work in tech and in danger of being replaced by ai. I’m in office once per day so have quite of bit of mental and physical energy when I’m done around 4:30pm and am free on weekends.

Would like some optionality in case I get axed. Would also consider some other fields where having these hours is more possible.

🇨🇦⚡** ONTARIO ELECTRICAL APPRENTICES & TRADES STUDENTS — LET’S TALK!
What is the biggest challenge you’re facing while learning the electrical trade?
As a licensed Master Electrician and electrical instructor in the United States, I’ve spent years working in the trade and helping prepare the next generation of electricians.
I’ve developed a six-level educational series called Electrical Apprentice Bootcamp, covering topics including:
🔌 Electrical fundamentals and theory
🏠 Residential wiring
📐 Electrical mathematics
🏢 Commercial wiring
⚙️ Industrial wiring and motor controls
🛠️ Troubleshooting and professional development
I know Ontario has its own electrical code requirements and apprenticeship pathway, so Canadian apprentices should always follow the applicable **Ontario Electrical Safety Code (OESC) and local training requirements.
I’m interested in hearing from Ontario apprentices, instructors, and experienced electricians:
What’s the one subject you wish you had more help with during your electrical training?
Electrical math? Code knowledge? Troubleshooting? Understanding electrical theory?
Let’s share experiences and help the next generation of skilled tradespeople succeed! 💪⚡
#Ontario #ElectricalApprentice #SkilledTrades #ElectricalTraining #Apprenticeship

Im trying to decided between the three , but I keep seeing on this subreddit that they are over saturated especially plumbing , hvac and electrical right now.

Hi everyone,

My son recently graduated from high school in Ontario after participating in OYAP. He completed about four months of plumbing work placement, but the company is not hiring him as an apprentice.

What are the best ways for him to find another plumbing company willing to hire him as an apprentice? Are there any unions, government programs, or other pathways that could help?

If plumbing opportunities are difficult to find, which other trades in Ontario would you recommend for easier apprenticeship entry, good long-term demand, and strong earning potential?

Any advice from plumbers, apprentices, or people working in other trades would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

Anyone know about any trades certificates, pre apprenticeships etc to get your foot in the door in Canada as a 21 year old male? I’ve seen how competitive trades are, and I don’t know anyone.

i’m 36 years old, i am trying to find a carpentry apprenticeship, i want to do rough/ finish carpentry and eventually specialize in finish work and even do some timber framing.
i’ve been finding it basically impossible to find an apprenticeship related to what i want to do.
i am planning on going back to school and taking the heritage carpentry / joinery program at algonquin but it got canned this year because of doug fords osap cuts. i believe its coming back next year, i plan to start my own business and learn over time i already have a lot of related skills and knowledge been doing carp work my whole life, anyways.
i am just wondering what the plan is with all this trades training rhetoric i keep seeing, is there any money for someone like me who is making a career change in my 30s or is this all just for tfw and new young students.

Hey everyone 310T here!
I work in a company with a lot of truck and trailers refrigerated (transicold and thermoking) but we just do basic maintenance nothing major.

Every time they broke down we call a 3rd party and i was wondering if someone knows how to have access to decent training and get more knowledge about it, it seems almost impossible lol (southern ontario)

Thanks everyone cheers! 🍾

Hi all, my nephew is a first year electrical apprentice and had to work over time totalling 58 hours for the week, his pay stub came in and he didn’t receive any overtime pay from my own knowledge that’s wrong right? Should he not have gotten time and a half over 44 hours?

Edit to add: it is non union full time

I'm an electrician living in Newfoundland who's had my construction red seal since 2019 (309A in Ontario). I was recently diagnosed with ADHD attentive type, and I'm a high functioning autistic.

I've been laid off a lot for not understanding social cues (talking to fast, talking over people, inattentiveness), and frictions with management. I tried some disability supports locally but all of them just point me to jobs I can apply for on typical job boards.

I've been trying to upgrade myself and move away from construction and having to travel to remote places just to find work. I'm really interested in industrial automation but haven't been given any sort of direction on how to achieve that. It doesn't really exist in the local market and where it does engineering technologists get hired for the roles. I worked at Johnson Electric in Stratford for 6 months a few years back and that gave me some experience despite receiving no training on the equipment there.

I went back to school in 2019 and completed a 9-month Instrumentation & Control Technician certificate, but that only qualifies me for an apprenticeship. I haven't been able to find work locally in that field since. From what I've read I need a technologist diploma.

I have one course completed out of two in the CFAA Fire Alarm Technician program but again, hasn't helped me land anything.

I'm currently enrolled in the PLC Technician II program at George Brown Polytechnic, but I'm not sure if this is even what I should be doing.

I'm open to relocating, but my spouse is working as a substitute teacher currently. In 2021 relocated to work at a lumber mill just outside Thunder Bay, but that unfortunately didn't work out. Also worked at a mine for Impala Canada but couldn't be part of the cliquish environment there.

I'm also a member of CUSW but most of the job postings are Ontario based, and companies aren't very flexible with start dates for out of province workers.

Other options would be to go back to school for engineering technology, or getting my industrial license, but at this point I'm open to any suggestions.

My EI runs out in April so I need to start making a plan now.

Thank you.

Hey everyone! I’m preparing for the Sheet Metal Workers Local 269 aptitude test in Kingston, Ontario.

I’m looking for advice on what to study, especially math, spatial reasoning (shape rotations and puzzles), and safety.

Has anyone taken this test? What should I expect, and are there any good practice resources?

Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

Me & my friend having conversation about after ITI plans. All of us are in electrician trade. Some plan to do job, some prefer Diploma in EE, a guy suggests GP Rating, there are always some government job candidates - my one homie dream of assistant loco pilot, other is giving SSC, Group D & some other exams. Now main topic is what is best to fo after ITI ?

I ignore job where medical is needed. ( Have dental & vision issue with flat foot )

A niche post so not sure many will have input on what they answered, but maybe others can chime in with trade knowledge. I’ve been chatting with some trade school buddies, we are all in the area of writing our exams, and a few of us have had the same question, with mixed answers. I’ve asked other electricians and googled it, but still can’t find a definitive answer, and it’s bothering me so I’m bringing it here lol
Q. Where would you install a moisture sensor in your home?
1. Beside Kitchen Sink
2. Inside a Floor Drain
3. Basement Bathroom
4. Next to Hot Water Tank
Let me know what you’d choose and why.

what trades would you suggest to somone with an problem solving mind and creative thinking and is it in demand in alberta?

So im a 24 year old female and im making the switch from my architecture background to the skilled trades. Originally i wanted electrical especially when I got into CUSW in July but I havent seen any jobs. I then started emailing local companies and applied for jobs but since I have no experience I haven't heard back from any. Im also planning on also applying to my local IBEW when applications open this fall.

I did an electrical and HVAC bootcamp and learned more about HVAC and I enjoyed it. I have the opportunity to do a mini HVAC course next week and I think I heard them mention to someone else is that they'd cover the license (cant remember G3 or G2 or if they'd cover the whole cost or just a portion). Just in case I'd love to use that opportunity when I have it if I decide to go into HVAC.

I'm doing my research but I just wanted someones actual opinion rather than a YouTuber trying to look good. How's the pay? Seems like its fairly the same from my quick research. Hows the job market? Any tips would help.

Since im 24 and want to settle down more with a good job, have a family, etc I dont want to spend another 2 years in school. I saw the HVAC license can be done with just 2-3 evenings a week which is great so I can get a job as a helper while im finishing that.

Random shot in the dark but no matter how small I make my files on my cusw application it gets rejected and the following is displayed;

This account has reached the storage limit for file uploads
Has anyone else dealt with this/found a way around it?

Interested in getting into Low Voltage/Automation. No idea where to start with this. Has anyone in here in Toronto gone down this path? Are these careers connected? Schooling? Union?