For every Eligible Trade Smart College diploma student, our team secures a paid, 6‑month technical internship
Because work experience isn’t a bonus in the trades, it’s the entry point.
And the sooner you get it, the sooner you can get hired.
“He shows up at the same time every day. That’s rare.”
Kevin’s company had a hard time finding people who actually showed up on time, stayed off their phones, and took pride in representing the company. When he brought on Jas from Trade Smart, he saw the difference: reliability, ownership, and a willingness to learn.
- Students coached on punctuality and jobsite etiquette
- Clear expectations around phones and professionalism at work
- Ownership mindset: seeing themselves as the face of the company
- Students learning complex systems and growing through mistakes
We train these habits on purpose because the fastest way to earn responsibility on a crew is to be safe, reliable, and coachable.
“He’s rolling in at the exact same time every single day. I’ve never seen that.”
From Training
to Paid Work
Built Right In
We find your internship, support you through it, and help you turn it into a career.
Work isn’t the end of your program at Trade Smart College, it’s the heart of it. Every student is placed into a paid, 6-month technical internship based on their skills, opportunities available, and employer needs. You’re not applying cold.
We work closely with local employers across the construction, manufacturing, and transportation sectors to match students to real opportunities. For over 90% of our students, those internships turn into long-term roles or apprenticeships. Why? Because our model focuses on helping you show up ready.
From day one of your placement, our team is by your side. Brian helps find and prep your internship. Carrie stays with you through the process, helping you navigate challenges, adapt, and succeed. You’re never alone on this journey.
Internships Built-In Not Tacked On
At Trade Smart, paid work experience isn’t optional it’s built into your diploma. Every student is placed in a 6-month paid technical internship with a real employer in their trade sector. That means you’ll graduate with jobsite experience, professional references, and the confidence that comes from already being part of the industry.
We handle the logistics, support you throughout, and connect you to a network of trusted companies looking for dependable, job-ready talent. It’s how our students turn opportunity into long-term careers not just certificates.
The Smarter Path
Paid Technical Internship
Apply what you’ve learned, earn while you learn, and launch your career all at once
Every eligible Trade Smart student is placed into a paid, 6-month technical internship.
We match you with the right company based on your performance, readiness, hiring demand, and seasonal opportunities.
You don’t have to start in your “forever trade.” With the foundational skills and professional habits you build at Trade Smart College, you can start in one trade and move into another as opportunities open up. In fact, that’s how trades careers have worked for decades.
Where you start isn’t where you’re stuck. It’s where you begin building real experience.
- All internships are paid and part of the diploma
- 950+ hours of real-world, resume-ready experience
- Placements Reflect Your Readiness, Seasonality, And Employer Demand
- Access to roles across 140+ trade sectors
- Internship often leads to full-time hire or apprenticeship
- Real work, real pay, real employer references
The Smarter Path
Placement Support
You’re not on your own we help you prepare, place, and succeed
When it’s time for your internship, you’re not on your own. We don’t just hand you a stale-dated list of companies and wish you luck.
We secure an internship placement, prep you for onboarding, and stay connected through your entire 6‑month experience. We require you to check in with us every week, so we can provide support, communicate with the employer, and help you navigate any challenges that arise.
- One-on-one prep before your placement begins
- Internship match based on both trade and personality fit
- Ongoing support from instructors and staff
- Help with communication, conflict, or adaptation
- Guided onboarding and clear expectations
- We stay in touch with your employer and advocate for you
The Smarter Path
Employer Network & Industry Integration
We partner with employers who want job-ready people and we help you become one
We’ve built strong relationships with skilled trades companies and unions across Hamilton and surrounding regions. From family-run operations to large-scale contractors, our network spans construction, manufacturing, and transportation. Many of our partners return each cycle because they know Trade Smart College students show up ready. You’ll also take part in Try-a-Trade days with local unions and hear directly from employers, managers and shop stewards during in-class visits, giving you a better view of what’s possible after graduation.
- active hiring partners across multiple sectors
- Consistent demand for Trade Smart interns and grads
- Try-a-Trade days with Local 18 and other union partners
- Company speaker visits during the in-class phase
- Over 90% of Internships Convert Into Long-Term Opportunities
- Exposure to trades beyond the “big five”
Confidence, direction, and a future that feels real
After Adam went through Trade Smart and into his internship, Sasha saw more than just new skills. She saw confidence, initiative, and a clear sense of direction. That’s the kind of outcome every parent hopes for when their kid chooses a path.
- Confidence to talk to employers and advocate for himself
- Feeling proud of the work he’s doing, not just “getting by”
- Proof that a non-traditional path can still lead to success
- A graduation day that actually feels like a turning point
“It really gave him confidence… it brought out the best in him. I’m really excited for graduation.”
Don’t Just Graduate.
Get Hired.
You came here to change your future, and that doesn’t happen with a diploma alone.
It happens when you show up early each day, take direction with a smile, and earn trust over time. Trade Smart College’s paid internship is not an add‑on. It’s the engine that turns training into genuine employment outcomes.
Got Questions? Let’s Talk
Whether you’re a student, parent, or company we’d love to hear from you.
We’ll guide you through next steps, walk you through start dates, costs, and internship details. This form connects you with a team member who can give you answers, options, and everything you need to move forward.
Campus Hours
- Mon- Fri: 7am- 5pm
- Open House - See Schedule