Skilled Trades Blog

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If you are thinking of pursuing skilled trades jobs in Ontario, it's important you understand everything that is required to become licensed in that particular trade. Each province in Canada has its own licensing requirements for specific skilled trades and its own governing authorities that oversee and enforce these requirements. In Ontario, the Technical Standards and Safety Authority is governing body when it comes to skilled trades licensing.

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Once you successfully complete your gas technician training and certification, your career  options are practically limitless. Your Gas Technician license opens doors to skilled trades career  opportunities that you may not have even considered before. In our Career Close-Up series, we'll  explore the industry jobs you can choose from to help you prepare for the career you want!

Air Conditioning Repair Tech

Once you have you gas technician license, it is natural to move into the HVAC industry, which means learning the ropes as an air conditioning repair technician. Sometimes called HVACR techs, they are responsibile for installing, maintaining and repairing ventilation, air conditioning and refrigeration systems. These people work in industrial, residential and commercial spaces.

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If you've already think a skilled trades job might be for you, it's important to know where to begin. There is no point in pursuing a career that you have thought about without actually understand what the job or the training entails. You wouldn't want to invest the time and money into training only to find out this isn't the career choice you thought it would be. And so, we are launching a short series — a step-by-step guide, if you will —about how to kickstart a career in the trades. 

Whether you are a soon-to-be high school graduate trying to figure out what to do with your life or someone who just wants to pursue something new, let this be your guide to starting your new career in the skilled trades.

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For the last 15 years, it has been all about working in the business world. People were going to university and studying to achieve that corner office job. Now, youth still think that's where the good jobs are, even though there are fewer opportunities. The job market is definitely in recovery mode after our economy's nosedive but university graduates are not seeing the same success as they used to. It's time young people started looking at other options for steady well-paying jobs.

Skilled trades jobs are the alternative young people should be considering. They are on par with those office jobs that used to be so desirable — we've already talked about the myths that need busting. The simple reality is that skilled trades need to be better promoted as viable options to young people so that they can make informed decisions about the post-secondary education they pursue and the jobs that will be waiting for them.

Benefit Four: Canada needs Skilled Trades Workers

The last time we talked about the benefits of working in the skilled trades, we talked about job security. That's all well and good, but if you can't find a job to begin with, who cares about keeping it once you have it? The good news is, when you are considering a career in the skilled trades, jobs are plentiful.

ESTIMATED READING TIME: 3 MINUTES

For the last 15 years, it has been all about working in the business world. People were going to university and studying to achieve that corner office job. Now, youth still think that's where the good jobs are, even though there are fewer opportunities. The job market is definitely in recovery mode after our economy's nosedive but university graduates are not seeing the same success as they used to. It's time young people started looking at other options for steady well-paying jobs.

Skilled trades jobs are the alternative young people should be considering. They are on par with those office jobs that used to be so desirable — we've already talked about the myths that need busting. The simple reality is that skilled trades need to be better promoted as viable options to young people so that they can make informed decisions about the post-secondary education they pursue and the jobs that will be waiting for them.

Benefit Three: There is job security in the skilled trades

We know that when you are looking for a job, good pay doesn't hurt — but even more important than a good wage is knowing that you will be able to keep that well paying job. No one wants to work in a job that isn't secure. And in this economy, a completely secure career opportunity is hard to find. But some jobs are safer than others — enter skilled trades career opportunities.

Estimated Reading Time: 3 Minutes

ESTIMATED READING TIME: 3 MINUTES

Once you successfully complete your G3 and G2 training and certification, your career options are practically limitless. Your Gas Technician license opens doors to skilled trades career opportunities that you may not have even considered before. In our Career Close-Up series, we'll explore the industry jobs you can choose from to help you prepare for the career you want!

Apprenticeship Opportunities

Once you are a certified gas technician, the doors will open to many career opportunities in the skilled trades industry. The Ontario College of Trades lists more than 100 occupations in multiple sectors of the skilled trades and having your gas technician license is one of the best ways to gain employment as an apprentice into any number of these options.

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Niagara and Halton Skilled Trades Academies are proud of all of our graduates and love sharing their stories. Jeff Curtis graduated from the Niagara Skilled Trades Academy in 2004 and now runs his own successful business, Revolution Energy. Jeff and his team of licensed professionals — which currently employs another Niagara Skilled Trades Academy grad — have been providing home comfort solutions to residents in the Niagara Region since 2007.

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The skilled trades industry is an important part of our society and economy — trades people touch almost every aspect of our daily lives. They build our homes and our cars. They work in manufacturing, mining, oil and gas. Canada is depends on the skilled trades, they keep our country going.

That said, the skilled trades have gotten a bad reputation, and we aren't sure why. With myths like these spreading, it's no wonder Canada is suffering from a severe skilled trades shortage. And so, over the next few weeks, we are going to be exposing myths about the skilled trades and revealing the truth. 

Myth 2: Skilled trades jobs are too inconsistent

Based on past norms, people seem to think that skilled trades jobs are seasonal and inconsistent. It is assumed, especially in Ontario where our winters are long and cold, that if you work in the trades, you will be laid off. But, depending on the trade you pursue, you have nothing to worry about.

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At Niagara and Halton Skilled Trades Academies, we are proud of all of our graduates and love sharing their stories. Jeff Maltby attended our Oakville campus from January to May of this year and successfully completed the Full Gas Technician course. Here's what he had to say about her experience at the Halton Skilled Trades Academy and working in the skilled trades industry.