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What Is Apprenticeship?

thumb4 Apprenticeship is a training program consisting of on-the-job practical work experience combined with formal schooling at a community college or at an approved training facility. It is a training agreement between someone who would like to learn a skill and an employer who needs a skilled worker. Both the person who learns and the employer who trains benefit from an apprenticeship. The apprentice becomes a fully qualified journey person with skills that can provide him or her with a rewarding career. The employer gains a skilled worker who can help the company succeed.

Entrance Requirements

thumb2 An applicant must have a minimum of Grade 10 education (general level math and English required), however, many employers may request Grade 12. Minimum age requirement is 16 and the applicant must have an employer able and committed to training.

Program Description

The Drywall, Acoustic & Interior Systems Mechanic Apprenticeship is 5,400 hours in duration. Apprentices attend two blocks (each of eight weeks) of in-school training at the Walls & Ceilings Training Center. Apprentices develop competency on-the-job as employers provide the practical training in the trade, while the facility provides academic training in cooperation with the Apprenticeship Client Services of the Ministry of Advanced Education and Skills Development (MAESD). Employers pay apprentices while training on the job. The apprentices may receive income support while in school. Once the apprentice has found an employer willing to train him or her, the employer and apprentice sign a Training Agreement (Contract of Apprenticeship) prepared by a Training Consultant. The apprentice receives a Training Standards Book to record all training and hours worked in the trade.

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« … by doing this apprenticeship, both parties (student/employer) benefit from it ! »

In-School Outline

The in-school training offers basic and advanced courses of 8 weeks each for a total of 600 hours (37.5 hours per week). Topics Include:

  • Trade Knowledge and Safety Orientation
  • Trade Calculations
  • Geometry Theory and Application
  • Plan Reading
  • Suspended Ceiling Systems
  • Drywall Partitions and Ceiling
  • Demountable Partitions
  • Raised Access Flooring
  • Residential Stell-Stud Construction
  • Thermal Sound Theory and Application
  • Metal Cutting and Welding
  • Computers

Training Centres

At present there are five training centers strategically located throughout the province of Ontario: Toronto, Ottawa, Hamilton, London and Sudbury. These centers use the latest technology and teaching techniques to train its participants in the latest developments and methods of construction.