Resources

 Supporting Apprentices in the Certificate of Qualification Exam Webinar

Supporting Apprentices in the Certificate of Qualification Exam is a webinar that explores how literacy and Get SET programs can support apprentices preparing to write trade certification exams. In the final webinar of the three-part series, Julia Hawke, Examination Coordinator at Skilled Trades Ontario, discusses exam resources available to literacy and upgrading organizations to help apprentices successfully prepare for and complete the Certificate of Qualification (C of Q) exam.

This webinar:

·       Explains the purpose and structure of the Certificate of Qualification exam and its role in trade certification

·       Identifies common challenges apprentices experience when preparing for certification exams

·       Provides information about exam preparation supports and resources available to apprentices

·       Describes accommodations and support options available to apprentices writing certification exams

·       Highlights strategies literacy and upgrading programs can use to support exam preparation and test-taking skills

·       Provides practitioner insights into how community-based programs support apprenticeship completion and certification success

Supporting Apprentices in the Certificate of Qualification Exam is available on the CLO website and includes a recorded webinar and presentation materials designed to support practitioner learning and apprenticeship completion strategies for learners preparing to write certification exams.

 Aboriginal Apprenticeship Board of Ontario (AABO)

The Aboriginal Apprenticeship Board of Ontario (AABO) is a not-for-profit organization that supports increased participation of First Nations, Métis, and Inuit peoples in skilled trades careers across Ontario. The organization works with Indigenous employment and training organizations, industry partners, and government stakeholders to promote apprenticeship pathways, provide outreach supports, and strengthen recruitment and retention of Indigenous apprentices.

This organization:

·       Promotes skilled trades careers and apprenticeship pathways for Indigenous learners and job seekers

·       Connects apprenticeship candidates with employment and training organizations, employers, and training institutions

·       Provides labour market information and outreach tools that support apprenticeship exploration and career planning

·       Supports employers through partnerships, apprenticeship recruitment supports, and training collaboration initiatives

·       Promotes equity and inclusion in skilled trades through conferences, networking opportunities, and industry partnerships

·       Supports financial, training, and mobility supports through Indigenous employment and training service organizations when available

Aboriginal Apprenticeship Board of Ontario (AABO) is available online and provides information, outreach supports, partnership initiatives, and apprenticeship navigation resources designed to increase Indigenous participation and success in skilled trades careers.

 Ontario Colleges Skilled Trades

The Ontario Colleges Skilled Trades website is an online career exploration and pathway planning resource that provides information about skilled trades education and apprenticeship opportunities available through Ontario’s public college system. The site supports learners, job seekers, and practitioners in exploring trades careers, understanding apprenticeship training, and identifying college programs that lead to employment and certification in skilled trades occupations.

The website:

·       Provides career exploration information about skilled trades sectors, including construction, industrial, motive power, and service trades

·       Describes skilled trades career options and provides examples of occupations within each trade sector

·       Explains how apprenticeship training combines hands-on workplace learning with in-school technical training

·       Provides information about college pathway options, including pre-trades, diploma, and apprenticeship training programs

·       Includes information about Red Seal trades and national certification pathways that allow skilled trades workers to work across Canada

·       Provides tools that help learners research trades programs, training requirements, and career preparation options

·       Supports exploration of college apprenticeship training and traditional apprenticeship pathways

The Ontario Colleges Skilled Trades website includes career exploration tools, apprenticeship pathway information, and training program resources designed to support learners and practitioners exploring skilled trades education and apprenticeship pathways in Ontario.

 The Skills Ontario Trades & Tech Talk Podcast

The Skills Ontario Trades & Tech Talk Podcast is a career awareness and knowledge-sharing resource that explores skilled trades and technology careers across Ontario. Hosted by Dan Cardinal, the podcast features interviews with apprentices, journeypersons, educators, employers, and training representatives who discuss apprenticeship pathways, training experiences, and career opportunities in the skilled trades and technology sectors.

The podcast:

·       Explores career opportunities across skilled trades and technology sectors

·       Shares information about apprenticeship training, post-secondary pathways, and career advancement opportunities

·       Features interviews with trades professionals, apprenticeship representatives, educators, and industry partners

·       Highlights apprenticeship success stories and real-world career experiences

·       Provides information about labour market demand, wages, and training requirements for trades careers

·       Promotes awareness of apprenticeship pathways and hands-on learning opportunities

·       Supports career exploration for students, job seekers, educators, parents, and workforce development practitioners

The Skills Ontario Trades & Tech Talk Podcast provides career awareness, apprenticeship pathway information, and practitioner insights supporting skilled trades exploration and workforce development.

 The Apprenticeship Connection

The Apprenticeship Connection is an online newsletter and knowledge-sharing resource that highlights apprenticeship trends, initiatives, and supports for literacy programs and Get SET service providers. The resource strengthens connections between literacy programming and skilled trades pathways by sharing current information, partnership examples, and professional learning opportunities.

This newsletter:

·       Shares updates about apprenticeship systems, policy changes, and skilled trades initiatives in Ontario

·       Highlights resources and tools that support literacy programming related to apprenticeship pathways

·       Provides examples of partnerships between Get SET programs, pre-apprenticeship programs, employers, and training providers

·       Shares podcasts, interviews, and practitioner insights related to apprenticeship careers and workforce development

·       Provides information about apprenticeship career pathways and emerging labour market trends

·       Supports knowledge sharing to help literacy practitioners stay informed about apprenticeship developments

The Apprenticeship Connection is available online as a newsletter series and includes articles, podcasts, and resource links that support literacy practitioners working with apprenticeship-bound learners.