Apprenticeships

Durham College provides the in-school training portion of the skilled trades programs listed below. You must maintain excellent attendance, a minimum mark of 70 per cent in each subject and a minimum overall grade point average of 3.0 or higher in order to successfully complete your program.

At the completion of your apprenticeship (all levels), you will be qualified to write the Certificate of Qualification exam. Successful completion of the exam means that you will be certified in your chosen occupation.

Please note: when registering for courses, personal cheques or payments in cash are not accepted.

The following options are available for payment:

  • Credit card – Visa, MasterCard or American Express
  • Debit card – Your debit card may have a daily or transaction limit set by your financial institution. Please confirm your tuition amount with your bank to ensure your limit is higher than the payment you are making.
  • Money order or bank draft – Post-dated cheques are not accepted

Completing your apprenticeship:

  • You must find an employer to hire and train you before your training program can begin
  • You and your employer must sign a training agreement prepared by an Apprenticeship Branch consultant to be filed with the ministry before you enrol at Durham College
  • 90 per cent of your training will be practical and done on the job and 10 per cent will be theoretical and done in class
  • Following completion of your apprenticeship training you will be eligible to write the provincial Certificate of Qualification exam.

For a list of frequently asked questions, please visit https://www.ontario.ca/page/start-apprenticeship

Benefits of apprenticeship training:

  • Challenging and satisfying work
  • Earning while learning
  • Efficient method of preparing and educating individuals interested in the skilled trades
  • Potentially qualifying for a training allowance or Employment Insurance benefits while attending school.

Choose Durham College:

  • Easy access from Hwy. 401
  • Experienced, trade-certified professors
  • Extensive lab and shop facilities
  • Proven track record with industry
  • State-of-the-art Skills Training Centre

Apprenticeship training offerings:

  • Automotive Service Technician*
  • Child Development Practitioner
  • Electrician – Construction and Maintenance*
  • Elevating Devices Mechanic
  • Industrial Mechanic Millwright*
  • Mobile Crane Operator (Branch 1, 339A)*
  • Plumber*
  • Welder*

*Red Seal trades

If you complete your training or are a certified journeyperson, you will be able to obtain Red Seal endorsement on your certificates of qualification and apprenticeship by successfully completing an Interprovincial Standards Examination. The Red Seal allows qualified tradespersons to practice their trade in any province or territory in Canada where that trade is designated without having to write further examinations.

Apprenticeship grants

Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities (MTCU) financial help is available for apprentices. Some ministry-funded programs that may be available to you include:

  • Apprenticeship Completion Bonus – Non-Red Seal Trades
  • Apprenticeship Completion Grant Red Seal Trades
  • Apprenticeship Incentive Grant (Levels 1 and 2 only) for Red Seal Trades
  • Apprenticeship Scholarship (under 25 years of age)
  • Loans for tools

To check eligibility, application processes and deadline dates, please visit: www.tcu.gov.on.ca/eng/employmentontario/training/financial.html.

Prepare to become an apprentice

In order to become an apprentice you need to be hired by an employer. To help you gain experience and obtain the post-secondary credentials that employers are looking for Durham College offers skilled trades programs through the School of Skilled Trades, Apprenticeship & Renewable Technology (START).

Full-time post-secondary programs allow students interested in becoming an apprentice the opportunity to experience college life while improving their qualifications. Take advantage of the many services Durham College students enjoy and gain the experience and confidence to approach employers, resume in hand.

START offers many delivery options including two-year diplomas, one-year certificates, and courses that will give you the knowledge to obtain licensing for many trades, both full- and part-time.

How to register

For more information on how to become a registered apprentice, please contact your local apprenticeship office or visit the MTCU website at www.tcu.gov.on.ca/eng/employmentontario/training/.

For Durham Region, please contact:
MTCU, Durham Region Apprenticeship Office
78 Richmond St W
Oshawa, ON
L1G 1E1
T: 1.800.461.4608
TTY: 1.800.533.6339
F: 1.800.461.5385