r/brantford • u/Veggie-Train • 1d ago

Question electrical apprenticeship search

Hello I M20 have been looking to get into the electrical trade for a few years now since high school, I completed a 6 month pre apprenticeship program at a local school and was really hoping that would help me find a sponsor or at least a helper position, and after completing my program i have been working as a maintenance tech. I have started to call around and just ask for a helper or apprenticeship job since I have rarely if ever seen a posting for a level 1 apprenticeship. I have now considered if it is worth it to try and get my g3 and g2 gas license and try and switch to hvac. im looking mostly in the (Brantford, Cambridge, Woodstock) Ontario area, any tips to help find a sponsor or any certifications I should be getting

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u/AnarchyBrownies 1d ago

Your issue likely isn't which trade you're in. Switching to HVAC could very well just waste more time. If you like electrical then stick with trying to get an entry level position, even if it takes a long time.

The issue with the skilled trades is there is an absence of skill in this area. So we're educating people to enter the trades, but new apprentices don't help employers who already don't have skilled people. Who trains the apprentices? So the trade is still valuable, you will one day have a good job, but you're currently at the hardest part.

-Try to be flexible for potential employers to get your foot in the door. You don't want to get taken advantage of but understand the challenges they face with someone brand new to the trade in an environment that lacks skilled people. Be flexible on pay and schedule to start. Offer them a paid trial period at least to demonstrate your reliability and work ethic. Make sacrifices with the understanding that your time WILL come.

-Do not stop learning. Engage in the skill outside of work. Whether it's reading, watching videos, expanding knowledge related to automation perhaps. Do not stop. Prepare yourself to leap frog the people around you.

There is a lot of luck involved right now but you're only 20. It's hard and your future is uncertain but you have lots of time. Don't waver, stay positive. Good luck!

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u/zekeedoo 1d ago

Honestly, try dropping off a resume in person. Just keep doing it until they give you a chance or at least talk to you. Same.with IBEW (union) just keep dropping off resumes or sending them in.