Shortest Ontario apprenticeship
2,880 hours
Nationally recognized cert
Red Seal
Apprentice loans
Up to $4,000 per training period
Ontario trade authority
Skilled Trades Ontario
“Easy” doesn’t mean a trade is simple. It means you can get started quickly, the training is shorter, the tools don’t cost a fortune, and employers are willing to hire beginners. This guide covers the most accessible trades in Canada, with official apprenticeship lengths from Skilled Trades Ontario so you can compare them side by side.
How to judge an “easy” trade
- Training length: total apprenticeship hours, including in-school training.
- Entry point: whether you can start working while you learn.
- Compulsory or voluntary: in a compulsory trade, you must be a registered apprentice or certified to do the work. Voluntary trades let you work while you build toward certification.
- Red Seal: trades in the Interprovincial Red Seal Program let you work across provinces once you earn the endorsement.
The most accessible trades, by apprenticeship length
These are Ontario apprenticeship lengths. Other provinces are similar for Red Seal trades, but check with your province’s apprenticeship authority.
| Trade | Total hours (on-the-job + in-school) | Compulsory in Ontario? | Red Seal |
|---|---|---|---|
| Construction Craft Worker | 2,880 (2,400 + 480) | No | Yes |
| Hairstylist | 3,500 (3,020 + 480) | Yes | Yes |
| Residential Air Conditioning Systems Mechanic | 4,500 (4,020 + 480) | Yes | — |
| Painter and Decorator | 6,000 (5,280 + 720) | No | Yes |
| Welder | 6,000 (5,280 + 720) | No | Yes |
| General Carpenter | 7,200 (6,480 + 720) | No | Yes |
| Automotive Service Technician | 7,220 (6,500 + 720) | Yes | Yes |
| Plumber | 9,000 (8,280 + 720) | Yes | Yes |
Roughly 2,000 hours of work equals a year, so construction craft worker takes about a year and a half, while plumber takes about four and a half years. Voluntary trades such as construction craft worker, painter, welder and carpenter are usually the easiest to get hired into, because you can start working before you’re certified.
How to get started
1
Pick a trade that fits you
Compare training length, the work itself, and whether it’s compulsory.
2
Consider a pre-apprenticeship program
Many colleges offer short pre-apprenticeship programs that teach basics and connect you with employers.
3
Find a sponsor
Your employer or union sponsors your apprenticeship. In Ontario, you then register with Skilled Trades Ontario.
4
Complete on-the-job and in-school training
You earn wages on the job and attend in-school training in blocks or part-time.
5
Write your Certificate of Qualification exam
Pass it to become certified, and add the Red Seal endorsement where available.
Paying for training
The Canada Apprentice Loan offers up to $4,000 in interest-free loans per period of technical training for apprentices in Red Seal trades, available everywhere except Quebec. The federal Apprenticeship Incentive Grant and Apprenticeship Completion Grant closed on March 31, 2025, so check with your province for current grants and with your college for bursaries.
Frequently asked questions
What is the fastest trade to get into in Canada?
Among Ontario apprenticeships, construction craft worker is one of the shortest at 2,880 hours, and you can start working while you train.
Who manages apprenticeships in Ontario?
Skilled Trades Ontario, which replaced the Ontario College of Trades. Your sponsor registers your apprenticeship, and Skilled Trades Ontario issues certificates.
Are apprenticeship grants still available?
The federal Apprenticeship Incentive and Completion grants closed on March 31, 2025. The Canada Apprentice Loan is still available for Red Seal trades.
Sources
- Skilled Trades Ontario: Trade information
- Government of Canada: Canada Apprentice Loan
- Government of Canada: Apprenticeship grants (closed)
- Red Seal Program
Related: Top 10 Trade Schools in Ontario · Highest Paying Trades in Ontario · Ontario Apprenticeship Programs Explained
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