Indigenous
SLC responds to Ontario’s shortage in skilled labour
SLC is proud to offer pre-apprenticeship programs, which provide opportunities to help people interested in the trades gain the skills needed to enter the apprenticeship system. The pre-apprenticeship programs are funded by the Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development (MLITSD) to develop more skilled tradespeople in response to Ontario’s shortage of skilled workers. The funding covers participants' tuition, hand tools, Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), and all learning resources.
In addition to fulfilling the requirements needed to continue in an apprenticeship (pending employer sponsorship), participants take part in an 8-week paid placement and get three micro-credentials in Workforce Preparedness, Digital Literacy, and Communication. Micro-Credentials are credentials that are transferable across disciplines and can be stand-alone as requested by employers or stackable with other credentials to earn more comprehensive credentials.
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Overview
Programs are focused on trades, and sectors experiencing skills shortages or high labour market demand, are offered on an annual basis and may change year-to-year.
Programs vary between 20-40 weeks (including 10-15 weeks in class, and minimum 8-week supported industry work placement) in duration and include Level 1 apprenticeship in school training, safety training, and trade-readiness instruction. Programs may also include academic upgrading, and employment preparation.
Upon successful completion of the program, graduates receive a certificate of completion equivalent to Level 1 apprenticeship certification.
Benefits
- Develop confidence, exposure, and skills in a specific trade
- Gain skills relevant to apprenticeship employers
- Prepare for future training in the trades
Eligibility and Admission Requirements
- Ages 18+
- Must be a Permanent Resident or Canadian Citizen.
- Must be an Ontario resident and eligible to work in Ontario.
- Able to provide proof of identification, SIN, education experience.
- Have a current resume, and demonstrate interest and suitability to training and employment in a pre-apprenticeship trade.
- Able to commit to a full time 14-week training program plus 10-week work placement.
- Have access to a computer and internet.
- Family income does not exceed the Low-Income Measure (LIM)
- Programs empower workers and job seekers who face high barriers of entry, and enhance pathways to meaningful and gainful employment, particularly for youth (including marginalized youth), woman, Indigenous peoples, racialized people, recent immigrants/ newcomers, 2SLGBTQIA+ and members of at-risk and/or marginalized communities.
Additional Requirements
- Grade 12 equivalency via high school transcript or GED (case-by-case exceptions will be considered according to requirements of the trade)
- Written assessment administered by SLC
- Interview attendance (invitation only, based on assessment)
- Available to attend ALL classes
Q: When are pre-apprenticeship training programs offered?
A: Program registration opens in the spring of each year with programs typically beginning between late May to early June and running through the spring/summer semester.
Q: What trades programs are offered in pre-apprenticeship training?
A: Programs vary year-to-year as determined by the Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training, and Skills Development.
Q: What are the class hours?
A: Class hours are between 8AM and 9PM. Individual program schedules will be available with program release in the spring of each year.
Q: Why is there a literacy and numeracy assessment required for admission to the pre-apprenticeship program, and how do I prepare for the assessment?
A: The literacy and numeracy assessment provides a baseline understanding of individual analysis skills, and where support may be needed.
The assessment measures familiar transferable skills, such as reading, writing, geometry, and basic math. No advance preparation is required.
Applications are now closed. Applications open in the spring of each year, please check back on our website for updates and visit the Ontario Pre-Apprenticeship page to learn more.