The Ontario College of Trades has created a great summary called “How to work legally in a compulsory trade in Ontario”. You can find this 2-page pdf handout near the bottom of their webpage listed here: http://www.collegeoftrades.ca/resources. It is very worth reading.
What does it mean for a trade to be “Regulated”?
- If a trade is “Regulated - compulsory”, it means that it is illegal to work in this job if you are not certified in the trade or registered as an apprentice with that employer.
- If a trade is “Regulated - voluntary”, it is an option to become certified so that you can prove your breadth of experience to employers. You are allowed to do this work without being certified, but it is the employer’s choice whether they prefer to hire someone who can show proof of their experience (i.e. be certified, have certain Welding tickets, etc.)
- If a trade has a Red Seal exam available, passing the exam means that all provinces in Canada will recognize your full certification in that trade. You will not need to re-certify if you want to work in a different province.
To check if a trade is regulated, use the www.jobbank.gc.ca website:
- Scroll down a bit on the main page and click the “Explore Careers” link
- Type in the “Occupation”, then your city, and click “Search”.
- (You will see lots of information here including job postings, local wage info, outlook, and education & job requirements.) Click on the “Education & Job Requirements” tab. As the trades are regulated by the province, you will need to click the “Ontario” tab to find out if the trade is regulated. You will find the information highlighted in a red box.
Skilled Trades in Ontario
The following is a list of the trades available in Ontario. As you can see there is an extensive range of options available. What trade is best for you? Which trades are currently in demand and will be in the future? These are questions you’ll be able to answer with strong labour market research. Work with your employment counsellor to make the right decision for you.
This list was gathered from http://www.earnwhileyoulearn.ca/trade-sectors. On their website they have additional resources, including pdf handouts for many of the trades listed below. There are four sectors of Skilled Trades: Construction, Industrial, Motive Power, and Service.
▲ = Compulsory trade
* = Red Seal trade
Construction Sector:
Architectural Glass and Metal Technician *
Brick and Stone Mason *
Cement (Concrete) Finisher
Concrete Pump Operator
Construction Boilermaker *
Construction Craft Worker *
Construction Millwright
Drywall Finisher and Plasterer
Drywall, Acoustic and Lathing Applicator *
Electrician — Construction and Maintenance ▲ *
Electrician — Domestic and Rural ▲
Exterior Insulated Finish Systems Mechanic
Floor Covering Installer *
General Carpenter *
Hazardous Materials Worker
Heat and Frost Insulator *
Heavy Equipment Operator — Dozer
Heavy Equipment Operator — Excavator
Heavy Equipment Operator —Tractor Loader Backhoe
Hoisting Engineer — Mobile Crane Operator 1 ▲*
Hoisting Engineer — Mobile Crane Operator 2 ▲
Hoisting Engineer — Tower Crane Operator ▲*
Ironworker — Generalist *
Ironworker — Structural and Ornamental *
Native Residential Construction Worker
Painter and Decorator — Commercial and Residential *
Painter and Decorator — Industrial
Plumber ▲ *
Powerline Technician *
Precast Concrete Erector
Precast Concrete Finisher
Refractory Mason
Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Systems Mechanic ▲ *
Reinforcing Rodworker
Residential (Low Rise) Sheet Metal Installer ▲
Residential Air Conditioning Systems Mechanic ▲
Restoration Mason
Roofer *
Sheet Metal Worker ▲ *
Sprinkler and Fire Protection Installer ▲ *
Steamfitter ▲ *
Terrazzo, Tile and Marble Setter *
Industrial Sector:
Bearings Mechanic
Blacksmith
Cabinetmaker *
Composite Structures Technician
Computer Numerical Control (CNC) Programmer
Die Designer
Draftsperson — Mechanical
Draftsperson — Plastic Mould Design
Draftsperson — Tool and Die Design
Electric Motor System Technician *
Electrical Control (Machine) Builder
Electrician (Signal Maintenance)
Elevating Devices Mechanic
Entertainment Industry Power Technician
Facilities Mechanic
Facilities Technician
Fitter — Assembler (Motor Assembly)
General Machinist *
Hydraulic/Pneumatic Mechanic
Industrial Electrician *
Industrial Mechanic Millwright *
Instrumentation and Control Technician *
Light Rail Overhead Contact Systems Linesperson
Locksmith
Machine Tool Builder and Integrator
Metal Fabricator (Fitter) *
Mould Designer
Mould Maker
Mould or Die Finisher
Optics Technician (Lens and Prism Maker)
Packaging Machine Mechanic
Pattern Maker
Precision Metal Fabricator
Pressure Systems Welder
Process Operator — Food Manufacturing
Process Operator — Power
Process Operator — Refinery, Chemical and Liquid Processes
Process Operator — Wood Products
Pump Systems Installer
Railway Car Technician
Relay and Instrumentation Technician
Roll Grinder/Turner
Saw Filer/Fitter
Ski Lift Mechanic
Surface Blaster
Surface Mount Assembler
Thin Film Technician
Tool and Cutter Grinder
Tool and Die Maker *
Tool and Gauge Inspector
Tool/Tooling Maker
Tractor-Trailer Commercial Driver
Water Well Driller
Welder *
Motive Power Sector:
Agricultural Equipment Technician *
Alignment and Brakes Technician ▲
Auto Body and Collision Damage Repairer ▲ *
Auto Body Repairer ▲
Automotive Electronic Accessory Technician ▲
Automotive Glass Technician
Automotive Painter *
Automotive Service Technician ▲ *
Fuel and Electrical Systems Technician ▲
Heavy Duty Equipment Technician *
Marine Engine Technician
Motive Power Machinist
Motorcycle Technician ▲*
Powered Lift Truck Technician
Recreation Vehicle Technician *
Small Engine Technician
Tire, Wheel and Rim Mechanic
Transmission Technician ▲
Truck and Coach Technician ▲*
Truck-Trailer Service Technician ▲*
Turf Equipment Technician
Services Sector:
Aboriginal Child Development Practitioner
Agricultural — Dairy Herdsperson
Agricultural — Fruit Grower
Agricultural — Swine Herdsperson
Appliance Service Technician *
Arborist
Assistant Cook
Baker
Baker-Patissier *
Chef
Child and Youth Worker
Child Development Practitioner
Cook *
Developmental Services Worker
Educational Assistant
Electronic Service Technician
Gemsetter/Goldsmith
Hairstylist ▲*
Hardware, Lumber and Building Materials Retailer
Horse Groom
Horse Harness Maker
Horticultural Technician *
Information Technology — Contact Centre Customer Service Agent
Information Technology — Contact Centre Sales Agent
Information Technology — Contact Centre Technical Support Agent
Information Technology — Hardware Technician
Information Technology — Network Technician
Institutional Cook
Micro Electronics Manufacturer
Native Clothing and Crafts Artisan
Network Cabling Specialist
Parts Technician *
Pool, Hot Tub and Spa — Installer
Pool, Hot Tub and Spa — Service Technician
Retail Meat Cutter
Saddlery
Special Events Coordinator
Utility Arborist
Wooden Boat Rebuilder
(This list of skilled trades is up-to-date as of February 2018.)
