fbpx

The Student Journey

scholarship

Connect with one of our team members to
enter for your chance to win a $500 scholarship

Win one of 15 $500 Trade Smart College scholarships for our May semester. Entering is as easy as filling out the form, connecting with a team member, and we’ll enter you in the draw.

Thank you for your interest in Trade Smart College. If you’re looking for more information regarding applications this is a good place to start. If you have specific questions, please contact us and we’d be happy to assist you, or set up a campus tour.

The Trade Smart Difference

Trade Smart College offers a program that will prepare you to go into one of five different trades: plumbing, electrical, carpentry, HVAC or auto-mechanic. Upon graduation, you will receive a full pre-apprenticeship college diploma, not a certificate. Ours is the only 8-month program that exceeds the requirements for a diploma under the Ontario Qualifications Framework.

We believe it is our responsibility to find a job opportunity for every student before we admit them. It is then the student’s responsibility to earn that position. We do not guarantee a position within the trades, but you will receive an exclusive opportunity to earn one.

Students

The apprenticeship pathway

Getting an apprenticeship position is not easy on your own. At Trade Smart College, we find an apprenticeship opportunity before we take you as a student. Learn more about the steps on the pathway below.

Reach out to us via the link below and one of our team members will be in touch as soon as possible. We will provide you with an overview of our diploma program and answer any initial questions.

We would like for you to come visit us, take a tour of our campus, and meet our team. We can arrange an individual meeting or you can come to one of our Open House Events. During your visit, we will review the application process, admission requirements and course content.

If you meet our admissions requirements and are eager to start a career in the trades, we will set up an admissions interview. The focus of this interview is on your desire to learn, your work ethic, and your goals for future growth.

Our eight month program begins with two months in the classroom where you will learn the foundational professional skills expected by our Trade Smart Certified employers. A day at the College mimics a realistic day in the trades; classes begin promptly at 7:15AM and end at 4:05PM. Attendance and punctuality is essential to your success in the program.

All of the personal performance and professional skills you learned in class will serve you very well on your internship course. In every trade, apprentices begin by learning the basics, like: organization, preparation, cleaning and material handling. During the internship you learn how to complete these tasks in the field, not in a lab. Approaching them with diligence, attention to detail and enthusiasm will ensure that you stand out to our Trade Smart certified companies.

Throughout your internship you will have weekly check-ins with Trade Smart instructors and receive feedback from your jobsite supervisors. While we do not guarantee anyone a job, you will have a legitimate opportunity to request an apprenticeship from your placement company and begin a flourishing career in your trade. This is, The Apprenticeship Pathway.

Length of Program, Cost & Admission Requirements

Our diploma program is eight months in length. Students spend two months in class, full time, followed by six months on a full time, supervised internship with a Trade Smart Certified Company. Tuition and fees for the program is $11,800.

We are interested in considering students who desire to make a positive change, who are looking for a better career path, and who are willing to put in the hard work required for success. These characteristics will be assessed through your application package and our admissions interview.

The minimum requirements for admission to Trade Smart College are as follows:

  • Be at least 18 years old
  • have received your high school diploma (OSSD or equivalent)
  • hold a valid Driver’s License
  • pass an admissions interview

A Day at the College is Like a Day in the Trades

In many pre-apprenticeship programs, students take a selection of courses at various times throughout the day that add up to about 20 hours per week in class. They become accustomed to this schedule for 8 months, and then if they are lucky enough to secure a job, they’re expected to work 40-45 hours a week, starting at 7AM every day. This can be a difficult transition for many, and is a big reason why people drop out of the trades.

At Trade Smart College, punctuality is essential, classes start at 7:15AM and end at 4:05PM every day. Trades work starts early, and shifts are usually 8-9 hours long, so it is critical that students get accustomed to this before they turn up on a jobsite. We will show you how to handle this schedule with ease, so your transition to trades work will be a breeze.

Why are we telling you now about how early our classes start? Shouldn’t we be trying to recruit you, not scare you away? The fact is, our class schedule is a filter. We only take about 125 students each year, and we want those students to be as prepared as possible to succeed in the trades. So if you feel that you can commit to the regular rhythm of work in the trades, contact us to learn more, we would love to hear from you!

connect with us