About this program

  • Credential Awarded: Certificate of Apprenticeship
  • Campus: Welland
  • Trade Code: 310S
  • Delivery Length: 3 Years
  • Starts: Fall

Overview

Do you enjoy solving mechanical problems and working with advanced vehicle systems?

As an Automotive Service Technician, you’ll develop skills in diagnostics, repair, and customer service while learning to use industry-standard computerized diagnostic tools to service a wide range of vehicles.

Highlights
  • Complete 720 hours of in-class instruction and approximately four years of paid on-the-job training as a signed apprentice.

  • Learn in small classes with experienced, supportive faculty who provide personalized instruction.

  • Train in modern, fully equipped facilities with over 30 years of apprenticeship education experience.

  • Gain hands-on experience using computerized diagnostic tools and industry-standard
    equipment.

  • Graduates are eligible to pursue Red Seal certification, a requirement for employment in this regulated trade across Canada.

Career Opportunities
  • Automotive appraiser
  • Automotive customer service advisor
  • Automotive mechanical installer
  • Automotive service technician
  • Dealership, diagnostic or fleet maintenance technician
  • Hybrid and EV or Light-duty service technician
  • Motor vehicle inspector and tester
  • Parts manager
  • Service manager
  • Performance tuning specialist
  • Technical trainer or instructor
  • Warranty claims administrator

The Benefits of Apprenticeship

  • The Province of Ontario is facing a large shortage of skilled labour.
  • A certified journeyperson earns a good wage.
  • Approximately 18 per cent of skilled workers are self-employed.
  • There is, and will continue to be, a demand for highly skilled tradespeople.
  • Majority of tuition for the in-school training is paid for by the Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities.

What's an Apprenticeship?

  • As an apprentice, you learn a skilled trade on the job. You work with and learn from experienced workers, and get paid while you do it.
  • You also learn in a classroom from instructors who know the trade. These classroom hours would take place at Niagara College.
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Courses

Term one (2026 Year)
Code Course Name Credits
APPR1970 Drive Train Systems I 3
APPR1971 Electrical, Electronic and Emission Systems I 6
APPR1972 Engine Systems I 3
APPR1973 Suspension, Steering and Brake Systems I 3
APPR1974 Work Practices I 2
Term two (2027 Year)
Code Course Name Credits
APPR1975 Drive Train Systems II 3
APPR1976 Electrical, Electronic and Emission Systems II 6
APPR1977 Engine Systems II 3
APPR1978 Suspension, Steering and Brake Systems II 3
APPR1979 Work Practices II 2
Term three (2028 Year)
Code Course Name Credits
APPR1980 Drive Train Systems III 3
APPR1981 Electrical, Electronic and Emission Systems III 6
APPR1982 Engine Systems III 3
APPR1983 Suspension, Steering and Brake Systems III 3
APPR1984 Work Practices III 2
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Admission Requirements

  • Ontario Secondary School Diploma, or Grade 12 equivalency AND
  • Employment in the trade
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How to Apply

  1. Find out if you qualify

    To qualify for an apprenticeship, you must:

    • be at least 16 years of age
    • have legal permission to work in Canada (for example, have a valid social insurance number)
    • meet the educational requirements of your chosen trade
    • have a sponsor in Ontario
  2. Find an employer or sponsor

    A sponsor is someone who provides you with apprenticeship training. A sponsor can be a single employer, individual (for example, a contractor) or a group of employers (for example, unions or non-union consortiums).

    How to find a sponsor
    • Guidance counsellor: If you’re in high school, ask your guidance counsellor for advice and referrals for the Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program and other programs (Specialist High Skills Major, dual credit program.)
    • Online: Visit the job bank to post your resume and availability for apprenticeship in your chosen trade.
    • Employment Ontario: EO offers employment services and training opportunities, like matching apprentices to sponsors. Find an EO location.
    • Unions or trade associations: Many trades have unions or associations with resources to find and match apprentices to sponsors.
    • Local companies: Research local companies in the skilled trades. Try your local online resources, newspapers, or other directories.
    • Your network: Ask around to see if anyone you know is in the skilled trades, and if they are hiring or know someone who is hiring.
  3. Apply for an apprenticeship
    If you're 18 years or older

    You can apply online. You must complete the application in one session. It takes about 10 minutes to complete.

    If you're 16 or 17 years old

    You must download a paper application from the Skilled Trades Ontario website. Instructions: Save the application to your computer; fill out the application; print the application and sign it; get your parent or guardian and your sponsor to sign it; mail (or submit it in-person) the completed and signed application to your local Employment Ontario apprenticeship training office.


    Skilled Trades Ontario will review your application and let your sponsor know whether or not your application was approved.

    Note: You can change your sponsor later.

  4. Sign a training agreement

    If your application is approved, the ministry will:

    1. Create a training agreement for you and your sponsor to sign.
    2. Approve the signed agreement.
    3. Register your apprenticeship training.

Important: Once you have received your “Offer of Classroom Training Letter” from the Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development – Apprenticeship Office, you must complete the registration process by contacting Niagara College at [email protected].


The information on this page was sourced from https://www.ontario.ca/page/start-apprenticeship.

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