General Carpenter Apprenticeship

Starting an Apprenticeship

There are 4 ways of starting an apprenticeship

1. Pre-apprenticeship Training
2. Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program (OYAP)
3. Working for a Local Union 27 Company
4. Applying Based on Past Carpentry Experience

1. Pre-apprenticeship Training

• The SCAS Program

A full-time day school pre-apprenticeship training course is available to applicants who are 21 years of age or over through the Scarborough Centre for Alternative Studies.

• Other Pre-apprenticeship Training Courses

Other pre-apprenticeship training opportunities are sometimes offered through the College of Carpenters and Allied Trades. Availability of these programs is subject to government funding. After completing one of the pre-apprenticeship training programs with a grade of 70% or higher, the successful graduate will be eligible to initiate a formal contract of apprenticeship under the JLAC and to join Local 27. Graduates may be required to serve a probationary work period prior to being allowed to join the Union and register a contract.

All pre-apprenticeship courses provide a solid grounding of basic skills in carpentry and health and safety awareness which are essential prerequisites to an apprenticeship in General Carpentry. The hours spent in pre-apprenticeship training are credited towards the overall apprenticeship.

Applications for all pre-apprenticeship training programs, including SCAS, may be completed and submitted through this website.

2. Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program (OYAP)

Students in their graduating year of high school may be eligible to enroll in the Carpentry and Floor Covering apprenticeship program – while still attending high school – through the Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program. The Local 27 Training Trust Fund currently has OYAP partnerships with:

• Toronto District School Board
• Toronto Catholic District School Board
• York District School Board
• York Catholic District School Board
• Durham District School Board
• Durham Catholic District School Board
• Peel District School Board
• Dufferin Peel Catholic District School Board

Contact your high school guidance counselor, co-op teacher, or the OYAP Coordinators at the respective Boards of Education for additional information on these programs.

3. Working for a Local Union 27 Company

The third way of starting an apprenticeship is to obtain work with a Local Union 27 company. This occurs only when there is a great availability of work, and the Union is in a position to accept new members. Preference is given to candidates with prior carpentry or construction-related experience.

Applicants may approach Union companies directly in seeking work.

4. Applying Based on Past Carpentry Experience

Individuals with past carpentry or construction related work experience may also be referred into the apprenticeship program. Experienced applicants must include the following with their application forms:

• Letters from past employers on letterhead that detail:
  • Dates of employment
  • List of duties performed
  • Total hours of direct carpentry experience
  • Records of Employment (ROE) or T4 slips
• Proof of grade 10 education

Once you have compiled all of the required documents, submit the complete package to the Apprenticeship Office by mail, fax, or in person.