r/SkilledTradesOntario

Guys, honestly, is the CSA CEPE enough to pass the Ontario 309A exam if I study it seriously every day?
I’m doing lots of CEPE questions and reviewing code/trade knowledge, but I keep hearing mixed opinions.
For people who recently passed the 309A — was CEPE enough, or did you need extra resources/courses?
Please answer based on real exam experience.

Hello,

I apologize if this the wrong sub. I want to get into a PLC Technician role since I already have experience with Allen-Bradley and Ladder Logic, but most jobs I see for PLC-related roles also ask for experience in panel build/wiring and general "hands-on" knowledge with using tools and reading schematics.

As someone who is only familiar with the programming side of things, how do I acquire such skills? I know you guys might say to apply to panel shop jobs but I checked and they seem very demanding with at least 2 years of experience and none of them are willing to train/accept entry level applications.

I am currently located in Toronto, Ontario, and I am wondering if anyone knows a type of program offered by any college that teaches you enough wiring skills to become a technician, without needing to have an Electrician-level of knowledge, so something around 6 months to a year type program.

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TLDR: Anyone knows a college-type program just to wire control panels in Ontario?

I’m 19 and I’m honestly confused at the moment ive seen many people saying that trade school for hvac is good but also people saying that it isn’t as of right now I only know of UTI and UEI for hvac thats hands on and about 8-9 months long and looking if it’s cheap or not as expensive, also anyone knows if it’s hard to get a job after finishing school? I live in Pomona, CA so I’m also looking for somthing not too far

I don't know man, I think I've been asking about my co-op too much.

Fraudulent Organization who hides government funds and mishandles imo , manipulates and disregards the individuals it is there to help .

STO saved the government money , took away workers rights to work in some circumstances and is , has and always will be a useless front for money .

EXAMS should not be this hard to get infront of enough is enough !!

They’re not there to help you or work with you. they are there to be a wall and cause distress , why should we pay to write these exams ? Why when they took over did the failure rate skyrocket ? Did they make money ? Yes . It’s only getting worse

They all ignore you leaving you waiting for months !!! They don’t care about your personal situations

Sign the petition and get them out !!
Make a complaint !!

ombudsman.on.ca/en/make-complaint

One of my foremen told me he went to that college, and he got his career started there. The guy there told me that he can't guarantee me an apprenticeship in the future, but from what he's seen, that the top third of students tend to find apprenticeships pretty easily.

My parents have put a really nice amount of money in my RESP.

Ik the price is absurd, but this might be my only door if co-op doesn't work out

Hello all, I’m Finnishing up my 309A apprenticeship and I had some questions about the grant. I finished school last October, and my hours last spring. In march they canceled the 2000 dollar apprenticeship completion grant, just in time for me to finish. (Awesome) I just read that the government is now going to be doing a 5000 dollar completion grant for acquiring my red seal, and I’m just curious if anyone thinks there’s a chance I’ll get it if I get licensed this summer or if I’m going to have to wait until that grant gets finalized before my second attempt at the exam?

I have 3 years of HVAC experience working on new builds and commercial projects. Unfortunately I wasn’t registered as an apprentice during that period. Are there any companies willing to take me on as an unlicensed apprentice before I get my g3/g2 certification?

I went to Conestoga for Level 1 Plumbing and honestly the process was pretty quick — not much wait time to get called.

The issue is I live in Toronto, so commuting is rough. 😅

Does anyone recommend colleges closer to Toronto/GTA for Level 2 PLUMBING where the waitlist/call time isn’t too long? Would love to hear recent experiences…..

Hey everyone, I’m planning to move to New Brunswick soon, most likely Fredericton, and I’m looking into going to NBCC for a trade program.

I want to build my future in NB long-term, so I’m trying to figure out which trades are in high demand, pay well, and have good job opportunities in the province.

Right now I’m considering things like electrical, industrial trades, power engineering, HVAC, heavy equipment, etc., but I’d really appreciate advice from people actually working in NB.

Which trades would you recommend for someone wanting stable work, good growth, and a solid career in New Brunswick?

Also, how is NBCC overall for trades programs and job placements?

I’m a swimming pool tech, earning about 24/hr. The job ain’t too bad, pay is not gonna increase too much unless you know everything, to get to 35/hr it’ll take me 10 years. I’m looking to dive into HVAC. Just to try it out and see how it feels, what if I like it more than pools. Now the dilemma is, if I challenge g3 I’ll have to work for 700 odd hours before I can go to school for g2. I won’t be able to go to school without getting work experience. Other option is to do g3 & g2 schooling, but it’ll cost me 7-8k. I don’t have money to spend, I could take a loan but what if I challenge g3 and work for a while and see if I like it and if I don’t at least I did not spend 8k?

Interested in skilled trades? Don’t know where to start? This FREE, Ministry-approved 24-week pre-apprenticeship program includes plenty of hands-on learning in the precision machining and tooling trades.

ACP-26-818_General Machinist PreApprenticeship_Flyer_FV04.indd

Look guys, I am going to get my OYAP hours and going to eventually sign my RTA for my co-op with a large electrical company.

Apparently, the co-op students who did manage to find employment at the company got offered a job, and they didn't ask for it.

So I was wondering, should I ask? Or should I just pray that they approach me and ask?

I currently work in the pool industry, looking to see how HVAC feels like, I’m fairly young, so I want to see how other jobs feel like. I’m looking to get my G3. Start cold calling people and land a job as a helper, see how it feels, plus I’ll have work experience, only downside of challenging the exam is I won’t be able to go to school for G2, until I get certain work hours, I think it’s around (650). But that’s gonna motivate me to find a job and I’ll be able to get some idea of how HVAC feels like. I don’t have any time to waste, I can’t go to George brown cause the course is full plus any other school during the winter, example - Niagara trade school has a G3 & g2 course but there’s no OSAP for that. I got no savings to pay for school. It’ll cost me to challenge the exam but I can afford that. I’ll probably look to get a job during October, that’s when pools start closing.

Anyone able to share how long it will take to get the exam result? I gave an exam at George Brown college exam centre on May 9th

Look there's a dilemma in the trades. You'll drive a lot, which means you will consume a lot of fuel and spend a lot on transport. This is where driving an EV comes in. While you are also expected to drive extremely long distances, which EVs suck at.

My city has a ULO program, which supplies me dirt-cheap electricity provided I am charging at night.

I think you guys already know I'm a co-op student, which means I'm not expected to drive 100 KM back and forth.

At most, I spend about 2 hours driving on streets instead of the highways, which only gets me about 60 KM per day. The EV I'm driving can handle this with absolute ease.

Perhaps I should get a beater and only take it out on extremely long trips.

I'm writing my exam within the next couple of months (again, second attempt) what resources are you using? My school was not helpful. I bought the Red seal truck and transport mechanic 310t book by Ottawa dream press, it made me think but wasn't that helpful.

Hi everyone I'm looking to break into the trades as an industrial electrician 442A. I'm essentially green and my background is in tech and sales. Just looking for a little guidance on where to start and how to get an apprenticeship.

Iam open going back to school at a Conestoga or mohawk for their electrical engineering technician program where the second half involves co-op. (Would have to plan this out since I have 3 kids).

Located around tri city for context.

Long term I would like to work at a ferrero, or Toyota, nuclear plant, water plant etc.

Curious to hear from shop owners and apprentices alike.

Shop owners say they need experienced technicians, but won’t take on apprentices because training takes too much time away from production. Apprentices can’t get experience without a placement, but can’t get a placement without experience.

For shop owners: what would actually make you more willing to take on an apprentice?

For apprentices: what’s been your biggest barrier to finding a placement?