--- title: Why Ontario skilled trades training should be your next step description: Ontario skilled trades training is often overlooked by high school students nearing their graduation, but for some students, it might be their best option. image: https://blog.getatrade.com/hubfs/Stock%20images/Man%20hands%20fixing%20a%20thermal%20insulation%20in%20boiler%20room.jpeg --- [![NHSTA_Round-Logo_2021_NO-BACKGROUND](https://blog.getatrade.com/hs-fs/hubfs/NHSTA_Round-Logo_2021_NO-BACKGROUND.png?width=150&height=150&name=NHSTA_Round-Logo_2021_NO-BACKGROUND.png) ](http://getatrade.com) # Skilled Trades Blog # Why Ontario skilled trades training should be your next step Posted by [Brad Dixon](https://blog.getatrade.com/blog/author/brad-dixon) - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) As a high school student nearing graduation, it's time to start thinking about the next step you should be taking. Most resources for post-secondary choices only list public universities or colleges, and often encourage students to get their diploma or degree. While this is a path many students take and enjoy, it's not for everyone. Your next steps can be just as rewarding if you opt for a certification or training program in the skilled trades. Due to this idea that the only viable next steps are to college or university, many skilled trades positions are going unfilled and causing a serious trades shortage in Canada. ## Consider a private career college In order to get the training necessary to work in Ontario skilled trades jobs, you can get your training an Ontario [private career college](https://blog.getatrade.com/blog/attending-a-private-career-college-for-gas-technician-course). Thinking that you may get a subpar education at a private career college is simply untrue; when attending a private college like the Skilled Trades Academy, you learn the most up to date theory of a trade. In the classroom you will learn the theory of working in a trade, as well as up to date safety standards, so that when you get to the workforce you will know exactly what you are doing. At a PCC you will also experience hands-on learning, and use the knowledge learned in the classroom to create tangible results in your apprenticeship. Choosing the skilled trades as your next step requires dedication, focus, drive and hard work, and can lead to an incredibly fulfilling career. ## Less time in school, more rewarding career The average university or college program runs for 2-4 years. This is a long time for many students, and some students get discouraged after a few years in the program. Many students switch out, or find they aren't learning in the style they want to be learning, especially students who don't want to sit in a lecture hall every day. Working in the skilled trades requires less time in class, and more time learning hands-on, actually doing work you would be doing in the workforce. Ontario skilled trades training at the Skilled Trades Academy can be completed in just 4 months, with you fully licensed and ready to take on the workforce! For more information on how to get a career in the skilled trades started, download our free Career Guide today. [![New Call-to-action](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/388155/9591f130-e1cb-4fe8-95fa-a9d4e7f75c68.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/388155/9591f130-e1cb-4fe8-95fa-a9d4e7f75c68) Topics: [Career Opportunities](https://blog.getatrade.com/blog/topic/career-opportunities), [Hands On Learning](https://blog.getatrade.com/blog/topic/hands-on-learning), [Transferrable Skills](https://blog.getatrade.com/blog/topic/transferrable-skills), [Skilled Trades](https://blog.getatrade.com/blog/topic/skilled-trades) ### Subscribe to Email Updates ### Recent Posts ### Posts by Topic - [Gas Technician (59)](https://blog.getatrade.com/blog/topic/gas-technician) - [Career Opportunities (48)](https://blog.getatrade.com/blog/topic/career-opportunities) - [Skilled Trades (29)](https://blog.getatrade.com/blog/topic/skilled-trades) - [Gas Technician Careers (27)](https://blog.getatrade.com/blog/topic/gas-technician-careers) - [Ontario Gas Technician Training (23)](https://blog.getatrade.com/blog/topic/ontario-gas-technician-training) - [Trade School (19)](https://blog.getatrade.com/blog/topic/trade-school) - [Course Length and Time (18)](https://blog.getatrade.com/blog/topic/course-length-and-time) - [HVAC Careers (16)](https://blog.getatrade.com/blog/topic/hvac-careers) - [Hands On Learning (16)](https://blog.getatrade.com/blog/topic/hands-on-learning) - [Ontario Gas Technician (14)](https://blog.getatrade.com/blog/topic/ontario-gas-technician) - [Transferrable Skills (14)](https://blog.getatrade.com/blog/topic/transferrable-skills) - [Class Length (12)](https://blog.getatrade.com/blog/topic/class-length) - [Women in the trades (12)](https://blog.getatrade.com/blog/topic/women-in-the-trades) - [Graduate Profile (11)](https://blog.getatrade.com/blog/topic/graduate-profile) - [Funding (10)](https://blog.getatrade.com/blog/topic/funding) - [Skilled Trades Myths (9)](https://blog.getatrade.com/blog/topic/skilled-trades-myths) - [Air Conditioning (8)](https://blog.getatrade.com/blog/topic/air-conditioning) - [Night School (8)](https://blog.getatrade.com/blog/topic/night-school) - [Ontario College of Trades (8)](https://blog.getatrade.com/blog/topic/ontario-college-of-trades) - [Adult Education (7)](https://blog.getatrade.com/blog/topic/adult-education) - [Air Conditioning technician (6)](https://blog.getatrade.com/blog/topic/air-conditioning-technician) - [Training Schedule (6)](https://blog.getatrade.com/blog/topic/training-schedule) - [Ontario HVAC Training (4)](https://blog.getatrade.com/blog/topic/ontario-hvac-training) - [Halton Campus (3)](https://blog.getatrade.com/blog/topic/halton-campus) - [Skilled Trades Career Fair (3)](https://blog.getatrade.com/blog/topic/skilled-trades-career-fair) - [Skilled Trades Shortage (3)](https://blog.getatrade.com/blog/topic/skilled-trades-shortage) - [Small Class Size (3)](https://blog.getatrade.com/blog/topic/small-class-size) - [TSSA (3)](https://blog.getatrade.com/blog/topic/tssa) - [Oakville Campus (2)](https://blog.getatrade.com/blog/topic/oakville-campus) - [Ozone Depletion Prevention (2)](https://blog.getatrade.com/blog/topic/ozone-depletion-prevention) - [National Skilled Trades and Technology Week (1)](https://blog.getatrade.com/blog/topic/national-skilled-trades-and-technology-week) - [National Tradesmen Day (1)](https://blog.getatrade.com/blog/topic/national-tradesmen-day) - [ODP (1)](https://blog.getatrade.com/blog/topic/odp) - [Onto (1)](https://blog.getatrade.com/blog/topic/onto) - [Summer Courses (1)](https://blog.getatrade.com/blog/topic/summer-courses) see all ### Follow Me - Course Information - [Course Calendar](http://getatrade.com/course-calendar/) - [Course Information](http://getatrade.com/course-information/) - [Ozone Depletion Prevention](http://getatrade.com/ozone-depletion-prevention/) - [Gas Technician](http://getatrade.com/gas-technician/) - About Our School - [About Us](http://getatrade.com/about/) - [Blog](http://getatrade.com/blog/) - [Resources](http://getatrade.com/resources/) ©2015 Skilled Trades Academy· Built with love by [Hughes & Co.](http://www.hughesandco.ca) Niagara and Halton Skilled Trades Academies are Technical Standards and Safety Authority training providers and are registered as a Career College under the Ontario Career Colleges Act, 2005.