Apprenticeships are the fastest way into a skilled trade — you earn a wage, learn on the job, and graduate with a nationally recognized certification. No student debt. No waiting around.
A Canadian apprenticeship combines paid, on-the-job training with scheduled technical training blocks at a trade school or college. Most programs run 4 years (levels), each with ~1,800 hours of work experience and a multi-week in-class block.
You need a licensed employer to hire and register you as an apprentice. The employer agrees to supervise your on-the-job training and sign off on your hours.
Once hired, you and your employer register with your provincial apprenticeship authority. You receive a registration number and a training plan outlining each level.
You work under a journeyperson, logging hands-on hours (~1,800 per level). Between work periods, you attend a technical training block — typically 4–8 weeks at a trade school.
After completing all levels, you write your provincial certification exam. Pass it, then challenge the Interprovincial (Red Seal) exam — recognized in every province and territory across Canada.
The Interprovincial Standards Program (Red Seal) is a nationally recognized certification that lets certified tradespeople work anywhere in Canada without having to re-certify in each province. It's the gold standard credential in the skilled trades.
Search Trade Up for apprenticeship openings, or reach out directly to contractors, companies, and union locals in your trade. The employer must be licensed to train apprentices in your province.
Browse openings on Trade Up →You and your employer jointly register with your provincial apprenticeship authority (see the list below). This is free and officially starts your apprenticeship clock.
You earn wages while working. Each level requires a set number of hours working under a certified journeyperson, who signs off on your progress.
Between work periods, you'll attend a multi-week in-class training block at a trade school, college, or union training centre. Some blocks are available online or in hybrid format.
After completing all levels, write your provincial Certificate of Qualification exam. Then challenge the Interprovincial (Red Seal) exam to earn cross-Canada recognition.
Apprenticeships are regulated provincially. Click your province to go directly to the official registration body.
Requirements vary by trade and province, but most require at least Grade 10–12 completion, particularly in math and science. Some trades (especially electrical and gas fitting) have stricter academic prerequisites. Having your high school diploma makes the technical training blocks easier and keeps more trade options open.
Yes. You're a paid employee from day one. Apprentice wages are typically a percentage of journeyperson wages — starting around 50–60% in Level 1 and increasing each year until you certify. Many union programs have set apprentice wage grids.
Most Red Seal trades take 3–5 years to complete, split across 4 levels. Each level typically requires ~1,800 hours of on-the-job experience plus a multi-week technical training block. Some trades (like hairstyling) are shorter; others (like electrician or plumber) run the full 4–5 years.
Yes, but you may lose some hours depending on how related the trades are. Some provinces allow credit transfers between similar trades (e.g. plumber to pipefitter). Talk to your provincial authority — they can advise on what hours may carry over before you make any decisions.
You can transfer your apprenticeship to a new employer. Your registered hours stay on file with the provincial authority and carry over completely. Many apprentices work for multiple employers across their training — this is normal and won't set you back.
Yes. Several programs exist at both federal and provincial levels:
In compulsory trades, you must be registered as an apprentice or hold a Certificate of Qualification to work in that trade. In voluntary trades, certification isn't legally required but is still valuable — it signals competency to employers and opens more doors. Compulsory designations vary by province.
Join our residential and commercial crew. We sponsor CW77 red seal program registration and cover your Level 1 technical training fees.
Union shop (UA Local 254). Must have Level 1 hours logged. We provide on-the-job supervision and union benefits from day one.
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