Skilled Trades Blog

If you are working in the HVAC industry, you have likely heard of the Ozone Depletion Prevention (ODP) Certification. But after going to school to complete your G3 and G2 license, as well as possibly air conditioning training and numerous other work-related training sessions, I'm sure you're wondering "Do I really need to get my ODP certificate, too?"

If you are working with CFCs, HCFCs, or HFCs, for example, the answer is yes.

Skilled Trades career fair and trade show season is upon us, and the Niagara & Halton Skilled Trades Academies team has been busy teaching people about our programs and the gas technician industry in Ontario. Yesterday, we were thrilled to be included in the Seaway Mall career fair, which saw hundreds of Niagara residents come through and learn about the opportunities in the region.

But, with over 60 booths, we saw some very overwhelmed looking faces trying to decide who to talk to, which booth was valuable to them and how to spend the time they had at the job fair. And so, here is a list of Do's and Don'ts to help guide you as you attend skilled trades job fairs and trade shows.

In just a few weeks, on March 16 to 18, the Niagara and Halton Skilled Trades team will be set up at CMPX 2016 to meet prospective students and showcase why The Skilled Trades Academies are the best option to complete your Gas Technician license in Ontario.

We know that Skilled Trades Career Fairs and Skilled Trades Education Fairs can seem overwhelming — there are so many booths and exhibitors who want to talk to you and teach you about their business. So, we want to help you prepare for the next trade show you attend, whether it is CMPX 2016 or another career fair.

It may only be February yet, but we're already looking forward to spring. And it's not just because that means warm weather is coming (after all, this winter hasn't been too bad), but because our next full-time class is just around the corner.

Spring is a great time to register for skilled trades training in Ontario, especially Gas Technician certification in Niagara. Because you are fully licensed in just 17 weeks, you're looking at jumping into the industry just as business is picking up for gas BBQ installations, pool heater installation and home renovations involving gas lines!

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If you are considering a skilled trades career in Ontario, you want to be confident that you'll succeed in the skilled trades after you complete your training. We understand that you investing time and money to become a fully-licensed gas technician, so we compiled some tips to help you navigate how to ensure success in the Ontario skilled trades industry.

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This isn't the first time I've brought it up, and I doubt it will be the last — there is a skilled trades talent shortage in Canada. In a recent ManpowerGroup survey, 32% of hiring managers in Canada and the U.S. said they are having a hard time finding licensed skilled trades workers to fill their positions, making 2015 the fourth consecutive year that saw a scarcity in skilled trades workers.

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As students graduate and prepare to enter the workforce, many new graduates find themselves in the situation that the career they were interested in at the beginning of their education doesn't align with where their interest lie now. Or, in other cases, they may find that the degree or diploma that they completed isn't enough to get them an ideal career.

With the increased trades shortage in Canada, it isn't surprising that when faced with these challenges, graduates' interests are shifting toward the skilled trades, a specialized industry that holds the promise of a rewarding career upon the completion of necessary training and certification.

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Close your eyes and imagine a typical skilled tradesperson. We are willing to bet that you are picturing a man in a hard hat, work boots, jeans and a tool belt.

Not many people will picture a skilled tradeswoman, and that's because women only make up 5% of skilled trades workers in nationwide, according to Statistics Canada — and that's with 84% of people working in trades like hairstyling adnd aesthtics being women. So, where are the women in the skilled trades industry jobs?

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Winter is just around the corner! And if you are thinking about a career change, or are a highschool grad that took some time off and are now ready to pursue an education in the skilled trades, this is the perfect time to get your gas fitter's license in Ontario.

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When you are in a hurry to get certified and start your gas technician career as quickly as possible, it might be tempting to rush through the Gas Technician 3 certification and enter the workforce with just that license. But why stop there when you can better your career with a just a few extra weeks of training and complete your Gas Technician 2 training as well?