The Ontario College of Trades lists 156 skilled trades. They can be divided into four major categories: Construction, Industrial, Motive Power, and Service. The following lists examples of skilled trades in each of these categories.

Construction

Bricklayer AKA brick and stone mason

Construction boilermaker

Drywall finisher and plasterer

Electrician

General Carpenter

Glazier AKA architectural glass and metal technician

Hazardous materials worker

Plumber

Powerline technician

Refrigeration and air conditioning systems Mechanic

Roofer

Steamfitter

Tilesetter AKA terrazzo, tile, and marble setter

Industrial

Cabinetmaker

Elevating devices mechanic

General machinist

Industrial electrician

Locksmith

Optics technician AKA lens and prism maker

Packaging machine mechanic

Precision metal fabricator

Railway car technician

Tool and die maker

Tractor-trailer commercial driver

Welder

Motive Power

Agricultural equipment technician

Alignment and brakes technician

Auto body and collision damage repairer

Heavy duty equipment technician

Marine engine technician

Motorcycle technician AKA motorcycle mechanic

Tire, wheel, and rim mechanic

Truck and coach technician AKA truck and transport mechanic

Turf equipment technician

Service

Aboriginal child development practitioner

Arborist

Baker

Chef

Child and youth worker

Developmental services worker

Educational assistant

Hairstylist

Horticultural technician AKA landscape horticulturalist

Micro-electronics manufacturer

Network cabling specialist

Parts technician AKA partsperson

Special events coordinator

These lists are not comprehensive: for the entire 156 skilled trades, go to http://www.earnwhileyoulearn.ca/156trades. If you are interested in pursuing a skilled trade, the first step is to research the trades that you are interested in. This may involve determining the length of training, costs, funding opportunities and grants, trade-specific requirements, sponsor availability, job prospects, median income, certification requirements, whether you would be self-employed or work for an organization.

Once you have chosen your desired trade, you need to find a sponsor, which is “a person, group, or organization that takes responsibility for ensuring that you are getting opportunities to learn all of the skills required for you to complete your apprenticeship in accordance with the Ontario College of Trades and Apprenticeship Act, 2009”. During your training, you are considered an apprentice. Upon completion of your apprenticeship and certification in your skilled trade, you are considered a journeyperson and can then take on apprentices of your own.

Apprenticeships are primarily hands-on learning with little to some classroom learning depending on the trade. They lead to fulfilling and well-compensated careers. Combined with the projected shortage of skilled tradespeople in Ontario, skilled trades is an attractive option for young people and those looking to make a career change.

References

1. http://www.earnwhileyoulearn.ca/156trades
2. http://www.earnwhileyoulearn.ca/#home
3. http://www.earnwhileyoulearn.ca/faq