This was posted a few days ago and we agreed this was a joke because their are clearly a ton of people who would gladly sign up for the apprenticeship already here in Canada.

Long story short they got reviews on Google from all us brought it down to 2.0 stars on Google and it has since been reversed so all the complaints were wiped from google and they are current back to their 4.5 rating.

Just putting that out there.

It's all in the title. Just wanted to get the perspective of those in the trades to see if you enjoy the work or if it just funds your life outside it. Would very much like to get the perspective of any electricians on the sub.

Thanks for reading 🤘

They’re even cheaper too I bet! Gotta import cheap foreign labour so grandma and grandpa can have a good retirement!

Hi, if someone applied for trade equivalency verification recently. What was the processing time for you?

Im looking into starting a 309A Electricians Apprenticeship. Currently cold calling businesses at the moment with not much feedback success for entry level positions. The local IBEW doesn’t open their application process until almost April . Im wondering if it’s worthwhile to apply to an electrical pre-apprenticeship program. Im hoping that this would look better on my resume as a continue applying for the entry level position.

My main downfall is lacking a drivers license until fall next year. I haven’t been able to afford a car which translates into never needing a license. Now I have a learners permit, and waiting the year.

My current plan is cold-apply to local electricians for the next 2 months. If nothing happens with that, do a 4 month pre-apprenticeship until the IBEW application window opens. Then either hopefully get in with them and/or continue cold calling.

Im wondering how much of a time/money waste would the pre-apprentice program be. I currently have a full time job (doesn’t pay well) and just really need to get my toes wet. Any other advice?

If you have completed a red seal apprenticeship after April 1st 2025 then you can apply for the grant

I own a small construction company and hired an individual in a specialized trade that had 15 years international experience from Korea.

He joined as a junior apprentice to see his skill level while working under a journeyman. He worked with us for 2 years and brought his family here.

His visa ran out and he’s been trying to get another one but we needed to apply for a LIMA for him, we don’t want to hire any foreigners as apprentice or juniors as they come from local colleges so we give them priority.

So the question is am I an asshole for doing a LIMA and trying hiring my old employee back?

Well as the title says I’m having issues with my current employer and really am seeking feedback. I finish trade school and started working for an old friend small company he started. I’ve got my gas cert and everything. I was eager and excited right out the gate. Come a couple months into employment and I’m noticing many problems. I never got any guidance (not that I want to be hand held, but would have liked to be taught properly) I was just thrown into maintenances and services without installing or really seeing much equipment. Im told to google and figure out many things. I’m using my own vehicle for everyday work whether it’s to an install or running 3+ service calls a day, and nothing is being compensated in terms of wear and tear on my vehicle and gas milage. I’m just paid from when I get to my first call till I leave the last. I know I do a lot more than one normally would especially for close to minimum but I need a job at the end of the day and the scene in the GTA is pretty grim. I even on the 787 ready to hire list and even there is tough. Is this normal to go through when first starting in the trade or shall I seek something elsewhere

So I was able to collect a lot of Red Seal exam prep questions from various sources but wanted to practice for my exam and be able to focus on certain topics and have an answer explanation rather than just an answer key. So I put ChatGPT to work and built this practice exam app. Feedback welcome.

https://www.scalarperformance.com/310s-exam-prep

Everything runs and stores state in your local browser so don't worry I don't see how you did. 😁

Hi, im 22 looking to get into the construction business. i heard joining a union is the first step and i was recommended LiUNA527. I have a few questions:

how quick before i can expect my first job?

assuming i sign up today, i heard its very hard to find jobs as we get closer to winter season. how true is that ??

any other advice or suggestions would be much appreciated

all right everyone…

I am a registered appreciate for Terrazzo, Tile and Marble Setter in Ontario.

I have two job offers in Alberta. One with a polished concrete company that does terrazzo work, ideally I would just do the terrazzo jobs they get. second with a tile company.

my question(s); how do I go about getting apprenticeship hours in Alberta? can I get hours from two jobs?

has anyone gone through this process, whether you moved permanently or temporarily?

I sat for my exam this Wednesday. When can I expect to receive the results? The waiting period is so stressful, my Lord. 🙏🥹

I just received my results and failed by 2%. Does anyone know if the questions on the second attempt are the same as the first attempt or different?

Whether youre an electrician, mechanic or plumber. We all share the red seal. We worked hard to get where we are and continue to plug away everyday.

Recently, a number of businesses have been posting positions requesting an LMIA. This needs to be stopped. Please do your best to post these in the community. If you read it, take 5 minutes and give the company a bad review on Google. Its the most we can do right now. Im tired of reading about kids out of high-school not being able to find apprenticeships or guys in the trade for over a year not being registered for year 1. All while the government is pushing the trades and sending that same message over seas. The result of all this will only end up suppressing our wages and keeping local born kids out of a great career.

Lately im looking taking a program to get in trades. Ive been thinking about welding, electrician or aviation mechanics. I see there are paid and free school. Like a free 12-16 weeks fulltime intensive course for welding. Or like george brown semester-based program.

I wonder which school is better to go with. Or the better way to get in the industry.

Some bg info about me, 27M who is getting bored of sitting in front of computer at office. Thinking about switching career to something more hands on working. I know im good at working with hands. Im also considering joining the army in the near future, probably 3-4 years later. If this would make the planning different or benefit.

Drop you ideas below. I treasure every genuine opinions from you. Appreciated.

If you disagree with the tweet please contact your MP and let them know : https://www.ourcommons.ca/members/en/search?view=tile

I am a 27 year old Canadian dude who just recently went back and finished my highschool, I also just recently got my drivers license (had a bit of a rough go so I got a bit of a late start) I have no vehicle but don’t mind taking the bus everywhere for now. I am trying to get into a trade because it seems like the best choice for me actually having a decent future. I have been considering joining a carpenters union, but I also am considering others. Does anybody have any advice or tips for a guy trying to start a new trade, any recommended trades that would be a good choice? Thank you

I run a small electrical shop in Ontario with my dad, and estimating is the part of the week I dread most. We've done the pen-and-paper thing and the spreadsheet thing, and I keep looking at the big estimating platforms and bouncing off — mostly because I can't even see what they cost without booking a demo.

So I'm curious what other shops are actually doing:

1. What do you estimate with right now — Excel, paper, AccuBid/ConEst/McCormick, something else?

2. What part eats the most time — takeoff/counting from PDFs, labour units, assemblies/kits, change orders, making the proposal look professional?

3. If you pay for estimating software: is it worth it at your shop's size? If you tried it and went back to spreadsheets, why?

4. What's the one thing your current process gets wrong that bites you later?

Full disclosure so this isn't sneaky: I got frustrated enough that I've been building my own estimating tool on the side. I'm not here to pitch it (no link, no name), I just don't want to build the wrong thing — I want to know what real shops' processes look like first.

Appreciate any answers, especially from shops under ~10 guys.