Skilled trades college

I don't know about that school. In general, I am not a fan of pre-apprenticeship programs. They enrich the school but I am not convinced they help most students much.

Can your son jump straight into an apprenticeship? Does he know which trade he is interested in? Is he mechanically inclined? In the past, I was lucky enough to work in a machine shop and as a carpenter. Both could have progressed to sealed trades but I was on a different path so they were just interesting side paths. I also got to work with an industrial electrician for a while. If I was looking at doing a trade now, I'd probably pick electrical or hvac. Easy enough to master, normally decent environmental conditions (much of the work is inside), easy to put out your own shingle.
 
Seems difficult to get into a trade nowadays. In my dad's and my time, you went to the union(675), signed up as an apprentice or journeyman, got your book, and were sent out to jobs. If you were an apprentice, they'd send you to Casa Loma campus for a short course later. Both my kids tried to get into different trades in Ottawa, and need to take some kind of course first, even with the union.

If they're doing it wrong, let me know the correct route. I'm not going to helicopter them, but I'd hate to see them hit a dead end.
 
Baggsy said:
Seems difficult to get into a trade nowadays. In my dad's and my time, you went to the union(675), signed up as an apprentice or journeyman, got your book, and were sent out to jobs. If you were an apprentice, they'd send you to Casa Loma campus for a short course later. Both my kids tried to get into different trades in Ottawa, and need to take some kind of course first, even with the union.

If they're doing it wrong, let me know the correct route. I'm not going to helicopter them, but I'd hate to see them hit a dead end.
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When I started in the trades in 1987, you needed family in the Union to get in. Even the unions are more picky about who they hire now.
 
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klr_guy said:
www.skilledtradescollege.ca

Pre-Apprenticeship Programs | Skilled Trades College of Canada

Ready to start learning the skills to thrive in a career you're truly enthusiastic about? Enroll now at any of Skilled Trades College of Canada's Ontario locations.
www.skilledtradescollege.ca www.skilledtradescollege.ca

Aye/nay? My son hates institutional schooling, the cost isn't an issue if it's beneficial going forward.
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Set him up installing mini split heat pumps undercutting the HVAC companies (easy at the moment) and he'll be laughing.
 
gsxr guy said:
When I started in the trades in 1987, you needed family in the Union to get in. Even the unions are more picky about who they hire now.
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Yes, some unions were almost impossible to get into unless you knew someone, the elevator union comes to mind. We use to call them The Scottish Mafia.
 
Bobo said:
Yes, some unions were almost impossible to get into unless you knew someone, the elevator union comes to mind. We use to call them The Scottish Mafia.
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Why bother with unions? There are tons of small companies in hvac, plumbing, auto, heave equipment and carpentry that take apprentices and pay union scale.

You’ll work more, finish faster and learn how to be self employed when times get tough.
 
Mad Mike said:
Why bother with unions? There are tons of small companies in hvac, plumbing, auto, heave equipment and carpentry that take apprentices and pay union scale.

You’ll work more, finish faster and learn how to be self employed when times get tough.
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The two biggest reasons are a pension and benefits. Benefits are not so important if you’re healthy and single but if you’ve got three kids that need braces and glasses every year they are a godsend. I was in the IBEW for many years and generally it was a very positive experience. Got to meet some very interesting people and work with some of the best electricians in the city.Did some real interesting work that you probably wouldn’t do in a non union company. One day I was fixing a pump in a pit that pumped monkey shi_ where they did animal testing at Connaught Labs, the next day I’m doing work for Ben Mulroney and his smokin’ hot mom. A few weeks later I’m at the Roger’s Centre setting up for a Stones concert.
 
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421A red seal in the mines will net him over 200grand a yr, 2on2off FIFO, plus he will never be out of a job
 
ToSlow said:
421A red seal in the mines will net him over 200grand a yr, 2on2off FIFO, plus he will never be out of a job
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Pretty much everything in FIFO pays good money, and if you’re good or in a demand position you can often set the terms. (My deal is 7on/21off - that’s 5 days work and 2 paid travel).

Trade work is generally hard, fifo work is really hard. Not just the work, it’s hard on your a family if you have one. It’s not uncommon for newbs to do a run or two than quit. I’ve seen a few crying at the end of a shift, crying to be flown home.

Fifo nurses are the best paid in my experience, double most red seal trades. Electricians and plumbers have the most options as they have work everywhere, and can side hustle non stop.
 
Personally I am not a fan of the pre apprenticeship programs. Ideally try to get an electrical contractor willing to start an apprentice but those are getting quite rare, and those that do often hire 3-4 kids and then offer the best performer an apprenticeship.

I went to University first, then started my electrical apprenticeship because an undergraduate degree is not going to open too many doors. I knew the contractor and actually worked for him a few summers as a ground man, and truck driver (IBEW 105). The great thing about the trades is that they can never take that certification away, you are not tied to any employer as your skills are all transferable inside and outside of the trade. I worked on the tools for 11 years then transferred to sales and to be honest I have never looked back. I have worked for Eaton, GE, & Schneider and did everything from technical sales rep, business develop manager, channel manager, specification manager, sales manager, and now I manage a technical sales team in Canada, US, and Mexico. So staying on the tools is a solid option but there are many many opportunities once you learn the ropes. Sales has it's challenges - travel, working outside of the 8-5 routine, working with non technical people, but offers great compensation, holidays, and benefits like golf, customer fishing/hunting trips, company vehicle (with gas card), & expense account but it is not for everyone.

My preference would be a small to medium company in the commercial/industrial segment (309D). This would give you experience in all facets of a project, service, and maintenance. I have been on many large job sites (data centers, LNG Plants) that have 600, 1,000 or 1,200 electricians. With that many guys it is easy to get lost in the shuffle and many I see get stuck on a crew that could install conduit or ladder tray for over a year, or do nothing but pull cable. It is important to touch a little bit of everything and hone ones skills at pipe bending, pulling cable, terminations, tying in panels (and how to balance loads in panels), industrial control, PLC, and trouble shooting.

Everywhere I go in the US and Canada electrical contractors are crying for electricians but reluctant to start an apprentice and opt for that 2nd or 3rd year that has some experience - that seems to be the sweet spot I see right now.

Good luck and keep knocking on doors
 
If an apprenticeship isnt availble out of the gate , I'd look at a trade college to get a start. I dont know about electrical or plumbers but I got a lot of hours off my ticket for higher education. May be different now but took a yr off my clock then. At least a potential employer knows you may be able to know which end of the hammer to hold coming from school . When i was in sales many employers said the kids from tech college were not getting the training required, but it was better than no training. I was also told sometimes bringing in an experienced guy took a few month to deprogram from the bad work habits he / she learned at other companies.
So in short , I'd go to tech school if an apprenticeship wasnt sitting in front of me.
 
ToSlow said:
Funny as this can be played both ways
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I agree 100%. Start an apprentice and teach him how you want things to work instead of re-programing large union job mentality - don't kill the golden goose.

When I ask contractors many say they do not want to train them then have them leave - but that is a sign of how one treats employees
 
I definitely recommend getting into the commercials/industrial side of the trades. Once you’ve mastered that you can do residential in your sleep. Not saying that all residential guys are hacks but I’ve seen some pretty bad HVAC and electrical installations in homes. Most residential electricians learn everything they need to know in about a year and then everything becomes wash, rinse repeat, whereas you’re always learning something new in the commercial/industrial field.I avoid residential work like the plague.
 
Bobo said:
I definitely recommend getting into the commercials/industrial side of the trades. Once you’ve mastered that you can do residential in your sleep. Not saying that all residential guys are hacks but I’ve seen some pretty bad HVAC and electrical installations in homes. Most residential electricians learn everything they need to know in about a year and then everything becomes wash, rinse repeat, whereas you’re always learning something new in the commercial/industrial field.I avoid residential work like the plague.
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I started my industrial electrician apprenticeship never finished or ever registered. At the time the in class part was waived for electrical technologists. Quit after a few months and moved to a different field never looked back.

Sent from my Pixel 5 using Tapatalk
 
Bobo said:
I definitely recommend getting into the commercials/industrial side of the trades. Once you’ve mastered that you can do residential in your sleep. Not saying that all residential guys are hacks but I’ve seen some pretty bad HVAC and electrical installations in homes. Most residential electricians learn everything they need to know in about a year and then everything becomes wash, rinse repeat, whereas you’re always learning something new in the commercial/industrial field.I avoid residential work like the plague.
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The upside/downside to residential is you can easily do side jobs (as long as you stay onside with licensing and employment restrictions) and/or start your own company. Those aren't impossible with commercial but the bar to step over is much higher. I still haven't found a truly competent HVAC tech. Most are focused entirely on minimizing their time required and avoiding callbacks and they dgaf about what their shortcuts cost you. For instance, you can calculate the most cost-effective change over from heat pump to backup heat (either electric or gas). For modern heatpumps with gas backup, it's probably somewhere around -15 or colder. In 100% of the installations I have seen, they transition at about +5 as homeowners like hot air coming out their vents. It's never a conversation, just a default path that ruins the economics entirely for the end user.

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There is also a path to riches without school. One of MP's buddies paints. Makes a ton of money. No school, no license fees, flexible hours, cost of tools and stock is minimal relative to income, etc.
 
Personally, I would go into HVAC as regardless of where you are, there will always be a need for heating, air conditioning and ventilation (although I guess the same could be said for other trades LOL)...we tried to convince hubby's boys in Florida to do this, but no go...I would also take a look at colleges like Mohawk, Humber and Conestoga to see what they offer as they probably offer similar programs to the one you posted a link to and it might be less expensive...I tend to shy away from private colleges and lean more towards public ones, but that's just me
 
GreyGhost said:
EDIT:
There is also a path to riches without school. One of MP's buddies paints. Makes a ton of money. No school, no license fees, flexible hours, cost of tools and stock is minimal relative to income, etc.
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I know a guy who`s dad is a painter, he`s slowing down now.. just turned 81. One of those old school Italian guys who came here long long ago. His work ethic paid off, he owns 4 houses in Toronto/Durham and holds a seriously large bank balance. One of his sons works F/T with him and the other with him on his days off.
 
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