Electrician: Pre-Apprenticeship vs. Apprenticeship in Ontario (Costs, Requirements, Applying)
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Published On
2025-10-15
An electrician pre-apprenticeship is school-based training that teaches safety, wiring basics, and job readiness with no sponsor required. Apprenticeship is paid, employer-sponsored training where you accumulate 9,000 hours toward the 309A licence. Most students complete both to become competitive.
Electrical service is a highly in-demand, lucrative, and skilled trade with numerous opportunities. Since it’s a heavily regulated industry, however, becoming a licensed electrician in Ontario requires several steps. Between pre-apprenticeship, apprenticeship, and pre-employment, the process can get confusing:
How much do you need to shell out?
Do you need a sponsor?
How long will training take?
If you want to get job-ready as quickly as possible, you need a structured approach. Familiarise yourself with industry jargon, create a structured plan of every class you need to take, and prepare the requirements ahead of time. Let’s break down everything you need to become an electrician.
What Is a Pre-Apprenticeship Program in Ontario?
Electrical pre-apprenticeship is a school-based training program that prepares students for apprenticeship. It’s where newbies, i.e., career changers and fresh graduates, gain basic skills and hands-on experience. You’ll become a more competitive applicant for apprenticeship sponsors after completion.
You can either apply through Ontario’s government-funded pre-apprenticeship training programs or enroll in private career colleges. Course outlines differ by provider, but you can expect to learn the following:
Workplace Safety Training: Electricians face several hazards. Before even studying electrical systems, you should prioritise First Aid/CPR certifications, hazard identification, Lockout/Tagout, safe ladder/scaffold use, and proper PPE handling.
Basic Electrical Theory: Skills development starts in this class. You’ll learn basic wiring techniques and voltage/current relationships, plus how circuits function in actual homes.
Resume and Apprenticeship Job Search: Acquiring the practical skills to become an electrician is just one step of the process. To succeed as a professional, you should know how to approach employers and electrical contractors for sponsorship.
Residential Installation Methods: You need specific skills to qualify for residential projects. Training includes pulling and securing NMD90 cable, drilling runs, and fastening lines to code. You’ll also install device boxes, switches, receptacles, and lighting rough-ins while wiring standard household circuits.
Commercial Installation Methods: Prepare for commercial job sites by learning essential installation methods used in larger facilities. Your training will include bending, cutting, threading, and mounting EMT conduit, as well as pulling THHN/THWN conductors through conduit systems.
Pre-Apprenticeship vs. Apprenticeship vs. Pre-Employment Training
In Ontario, an aspiring apprentice must complete three stages of training: pre-apprenticeship, apprenticeship, and pre-employment. Each pathway comes with its own eligibility requirements. Let’s have a look:
Category
Pre-Apprenticeship
Apprenticeship (309A)
Pre-Employment Training
Who it’s for
Newbies, career changers, youth, newcomers with zero electrical experience
Individuals already hired by an employer willing to sponsor them
Jobseekers needing basic employability skills before entering the trades
Requirements
Ontario resident; no sponsor needed; most programs don’t require Grade 12
Must have a sponsoring employer + signed Training Agreement
Minimal requirements; often no technical prerequisites
Length
12 to 20 weeks full-time
9,000 training hours (5 years), including in-class + on-the-job
Ready to apply for an apprenticeship + stronger chance of getting hired
Become a licensed 309A electrician after the exam
Improves employability but does not replace technical training
Note: Pre-apprenticeship and apprenticeship serve different roles in licensing. Completing both is advisable, as most employers prefer candidates with pre-apprenticeship training.
Requirements, Costs, and Duration
Contrary to what many think, pre-apprenticeship and apprenticeship programs have distinct requirements. It’s generally easier to get into pre-apprenticeship. Obtaining a certification will increase your chances of securing an apprenticeship with a well-known company as a sponsor.
To qualify for pre-apprenticeship, you must:
be an Ontario resident
hold a high school diploma or equivalent
have a valid SIN for enrolment verification
invest in the basic tools required
demonstrate the willingness to attend classes in person full-time
Note: Some providers may list additional requirements, but most government-funded programs and private colleges only expect the basics outlined above.
Government-funded programs typically run 20 to 52 weeks, depending on the provider. They also have lengthy waitlists, so don’t expect to start immediately. If you’re in a rush, look for private colleges. They can walk you through the entire process and get you job-ready in around 12 weeks.
An apprenticeship is a more complex course. Apart from undergoing pre-apprenticeship, here’s what you need to do:
Secure a sponsor or employer first, because you can’t start without one
Sign a Registered Training Agreement (RTA) with the employer
Register with Skilled Trades Ontario (STO) to begin accumulating hours
Verify that your employer is qualified to train apprentices
Apprenticeship takes a lot longer than pre-apprenticeship. The Building Opportunities in the Skilled Trades Act, 2021, sets the hours of training at 9,000 hours (roughly five years). 8,160 hours would include on-the-job training, and 840 hours would consist of in-school training.
What You’ll Learn in an Electrical Pre-Apprenticeship Program
Pre-apprenticeship training provides the opportunity to simulate job-site experience before approaching sponsors. The curriculum tackles basic electrical theory, shop practice, and safe work practices.
Students usually start with the basics (i.e., circuitry, measurements, components). Then, they move into blueprint reading, wiring methods, and tool handling. The second half of the program emphasises installation techniques: residential first, commercial next.
Here’s a quick overview of what to expect:
Training Module
What You Learn
How It Helps in Apprenticeship
Workplace Safety Training
WHMIS, Working at Heights, First Aid/CPR, hazard ID, lockout/tagout, ladder/scaffold safety
Meets Ontario jobsite safety requirements; reduces employer liability; enables work on elevated platforms
Prepares students for industrial/commercial job sites and advanced electrical environments
Funding, Government Grants, Scholarships
Pre-apprenticeship training is a solid investment that ensures a work placement as a licensed electrician in Canada. However, not all students have the means to apply for the full program. Although limited, there are several grants and scholarships available to aspiring professionals.
Government-Funded Pre-Apprenticeship Training
The Ontario Government runs the Pre-Apprenticeship Training Program as part of the Skills Development Fund. It’s free for participants. You can get the textbook list, tools, and school materials needed without paying tuition. There’s also a paid work placement at the end of the program.
The biggest downside is the long waiting time. Apprenticeship programs already take several years to complete, so you don’t want to waste another year waiting around for pre-apprenticeship training.
Federal Support: Canada Apprentice Grant
Once you’re a registered apprentice in a Red Seal trade like Construction and Maintenance Electrician (309A), you may qualify for federal funding. The Government of Canada offers the Apprenticeship Incentive Grant (up to $2,000 total during your apprenticeship) and the Apprenticeship Completion Grant ($2,000 upon completion and earning your Certificate of Qualification). They don’t apply to pre-apprenticeship students yet, but they’re essential to keep in mind as you plan your full apprenticeship journey.
Private Scholarship Programs
Private colleges and industry partners sometimes offer independent scholarships for skilled trades students. For example, Skilled Trades College of Canada previously offered the STC x CIBC Skilled Trades Scholarship. Qualified applicants got a full-ride scholarship. Although the 2024 to 2025 cycle is closed, you can still keep an eye out for similar offers.
How to Apply: Step-by-Step Guide for Pre-Apprenticeship & Apprenticeship
A structured, step-by-step approach will help you avoid unnecessary delays. You don’t want to waste weeks making mistakes with intake dates, sponsor agreements, and STO registration.
Here’s what to expect:
Step 1: Choose your intake/college. Start by researching which government-funded programs are available at the time. You can either wait or opt for reputable private colleges.
Step 2:Submit your application. Fill out the college’s application form and provide proof of eligibility (e.g., Ontario resident, SIN, minimum requirements).
Step 3: Attend information sessions. Some programs will require an assessment or interview before pre-apprenticeship.
Step 4: Enroll and pay or accept funding. If you’re going to a privately funded school, you’ll have to pay tuition.
FAQs About Electrical Pre-Apprenticeship Programs
Pre-apprenticeship students do not earn wages because they’re undergoing school-based training, not employment. Upon successful completion, however, they can earn about $70,000 per annum. The average Canadian electrician earns between $67,000 and $78,936.
Electrician pre apprenticeship training generally runs for about 12 to 20 weeks.For government-funded programs, expect longer wait times. For quicker selection, choose a private college pre-apprenticeship program.
Pre-apprentices learn foundational electrical theory, basic circuitry, wiring methods, tool handling, and workplace safety procedures (WHMIS, Working at Heights, First Aid/CPR). Their training generally includes lectures and hands-on shop work. Graduates are prepared for entry-level tasks during apprenticeship, i.e., material handling, running cables, assisting journeypersons, and performing safe lockout/tagout procedures.
In Summary
Pre-apprenticeship is the bridge into the electrician trade. It builds foundational skills, safety training, and confidence before you apply for sponsorship.
Apprenticeship is where you accumulate hours toward the 309A licence. It requires a sponsor, an RTA, and registration with Skilled Trades Ontario.
Pre-employment programs are not a substitute for technical training. They improve employability but don’t prepare you for electrical work.
Pre-apprenticeship is easier to enter, has minimal requirements, and makes you more competitive when approaching employers.
Training covers job-ready modules like residential/commercial installation, blueprint reading, tool handling, and required safety certifications.
Funding options exist, including free government pre-apprenticeship programs, federal apprentice grants (for registered apprentices), and private scholarships.
A structured application process saves time. Research intakes, submit requirements early, attend assessments, and enroll as soon as your program opens.
Jumpstart Your Electrician Pre-Apprenticeship Training With STC!
Instead of spending months waiting for government-funded electrician apprenticeship training, turn to Skilled Trades College of Canada. We offer fast-paced, industry-recognised pre-apprenticeship training. You’ll gain the real-world experience and essential skills you need to be job-ready in just 12 weeks.
Mike Di Donato serves as the Chief Operating Officer at Skilled Trades College of Canada. With 25 years of expertise in business development, partnerships, and enhancing organizational efficiency, he has dedicated a decade to growing the college from one modest campus to six state-of-the-art locations across the Greater Toronto Area. Mike has played a strategic role in forging impactful partnerships—most notably the Building Champions Scholarship in collaboration with NBA Rookie of the Year Scottie Barnes. He has also spearheaded significant marketing initiatives, including establishing STC as the Official Partner of UFC, with visible branding integrations at UFC 297 and the launch of scholarship programs tied to UFC events.
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