Apprenticeships

For questions related to Apprenticeships and how they have been impacted by COVID-19 please visit our COVID-19 Apprenticeship FAQs webpage.

 

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
  • Through your banking institution – please see your receipt for your student number

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*
  • Cook Br. 2
  • 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 Labour, Training and Skills Development (MLTSD) 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: https://www.ontario.ca/page/hire-apprentice.

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 MLTSD website at https://www.ontario.ca/page/employment-ontario.

For Durham Region, please contact:
MLTSD, 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

Frequently asked questions

How do I become an apprentice?
  • You will need to find an employer who will hire and train you first.
  • If you wish to attend school at Durham College, contact your designated Ministry of Labour, Training and Skills Development (MLTSD) Employment Training Consultant (ETC) to register your apprenticeship Training Agreement. To contact the correct ETC, call the Employment Ontario Hotline at 1.800.387.5656.
  • MLTSD Apprenticeship Training Agreement must be signed by you, your employer and your ETC
  • After signing, you must make an application to the Ontario College of Trades (OCOT) and pay the membership fee. For more information about OCOT, visit http://www.collegeoftrades.ca/membership/become-a-member.
  • You will need to receive an Offer of Classroom Training from the MLTSD, directing you to contact Durham College to pay and reserve your spot (CDP apprentices, click here for the process).
  • For more information, contact your local apprenticeship office or visit http://www.tcu.gov.on.ca/eng/employmentontario/training/.

For Durham Region, contact:
MLTSD Durham Region Apprenticeship Branch
78 Richmond St. W., Oshawa, ON L1G 1E1
1.800.461.4608

How do I register for the fall 2021 semester?

Registrations for the August and September apprenticeship intakes has opened. Please fill out the apprenticeship registration form and you will be placed in order of receipt.  You will receive a response within 5 to 7 business days.

Whitby Enrolment Services will email you once you have been registered, noting registration is first come, first served and only by this form due to our remote services at this time.  Please note the ministry sends out more offers than we have seats so there is no guarantee you will be registered.

If you have any questions please contact us through the LiveChat option or email wes@durhamcollege.ca.

I do not have an Offer of Classroom Training. How do I get one?
  • You will need to find an employer who will hire and train you first.
  • If you wish to attend school at Durham College, contact your designated Ministry of Labour, Training and Skills Development (MLTSD) Employment Training Consultant (ETC) to register your apprenticeship Training Agreement. To contact the correct ETC, call the Employment Ontario Hotline at 1.800.387.5656.
  • MLTSD Apprenticeship Training Agreement must be signed by you, your employer and your ETC
  • After signing, you must make an application to the Ontario College of Trades (OCOT) and pay the membership fee. For more information about OCOT, visit http://www.collegeoftrades.ca/membership/become-a-member.
  • You will need to receive an Offer of Classroom Training from the MLTSD, directing you to contact Durham College to pay and reserve your spot (CDP apprentices, click here for the process).
  • For more information, contact your local apprenticeship office or visit http://www.tcu.gov.on.ca/eng/employmentontario/training/.
For Durham Region, contact: MLTSD Durham Region Apprenticeship Branch 78 Richmond St. W., Oshawa, ON L1G 1E1 1.800.461.4608
Why did my friend receive an Offer of Classroom Training and I did not?
Offers of Classroom Training are sent from the MLTSD.  Please contact your Employment Training Consultant (ETC) about receiving an offer.
How do I register as a Child Development Practitioner (CDP) apprentice?

If you are registering into CDP-Child Development Practitioner please visit this link for further information.  

When is the next intake for my apprenticeship level?

Intakes begin at various times throughout the year and offers are sent several months before classes begin. Contact your Employment Training Consultant (ETC) about receiving an offer. CDP apprentices who have applied to Durham College through the CDP process described at https://durhamcollege.ca/ppl/cdp will receive an email directly from Durham College about next intake dates.

Is apprenticeship enrolment first come, first served?
Yes, spaces are limited and are first come, first served once the ministry sends out the Offers of Classroom Training. We recommend that you contact Durham College as soon as you receive your Offer of Classroom Training at the number on your Offer.
Do seats fill up fast?
They often fill up fast due to limited space. Seats are offered on a first come, first served basis.  We recommend that you contact Durham College as soon as you receive your Offer of Classroom Training. 
Do I have to pay now?

Yes, once you have received your Offer of Classroom Training from the MLTSD, and we have enrolled you and confirmed your enrolment by email, payment is required in full in order to secure your seat.

Can you hold my seat without payment?
Unfortunately not.  We require payment at the time of enrolment, and cannot hold a seat without it.
Can you hold my seat if I have not received an Offer of Classroom Training?
Unfortunately not.  You must have received your Offer of Classroom Training before you contact us to pay and enrol.   
Why are the fees more than what is on my Offer of Classroom Training?
The Offer of Classroom Training includes only the classroom fee.  HST, an apprenticeship fee for your transcript, as well as a graduation fee for apprentices in their final level are added. 
How does Employment Insurance work for apprentices?
All you need to know about Employment Insurance (EI) for apprentices is at the Government of Canada site at https://www.canada.ca/en/employment-social-development/services/apprentices/ei-apprentices.html.  It will also connect you to the Service Canada site complete the EI process.
What is my Employment Insurance reference code?
MLTSD sends the 16-digit reference code in a separate letter directly to all apprentices. Everyone in your class has the same reference code (not applicable to Child Development Practitioner CDP apprentices). 
I have not received emails from the Ministry or from Durham College.
  • Check your spam, junk and/or promotions folders in your email account before contacting your ETC
  • Ensure any changes to your contact information are sent to your ETC as well as Durham College
  • CDP apprentices would receive course-related emails directly from Durham College in February, June and November.