Explore Skilled Trades

Students and parents are often not aware of apprenticeships because many of the jobs in the trades are not known by the general public. Manitoba has over 50 different trades that a student could possibly apprentice in. The High School Apprenticeship Program is a great way for students to explore and pursue careers.

Apprenticeship Manitoba Trades can be categorized into the following sectors: 1) Industrial, 2) Transportation, 3) Construction and 4) Services. Click on the headers below to start exploring:

INDUSTRIAL TRADES

These skilled tradespeople work at industrial sites. They build and take care of machines and parts used in industrial and consumer products. They use precision machinery, various power hand tools, power machines, torches and welding equipment.A career in one of these skilled trades may involve work in manufacturing facilities, on construction or industrial sites, power stations and electrical supply companies. Working in the metal trades involves making products, using machines and tools. Tradespeople work indoors and/or outdoors in all weather.

Apprenticeship training in the industrial trades ranges from 1 to 4 years.

HSAP Available Industrial Trades:

- Electric Motor System Technician - is someone who tests, rebuilds and repairs electric motors, generators, transformers and controllers. Red Seal certification.
- Industrial Electrician - Installs, tests, removes, repairs and services a wide variety of industrial machinery and equipment. Red Seal certification.
- Industrial Mechanic Millwright - installs, tests, removes, repairs and services a wide variety of industrial machinery and equipment. Red Seal certification.
- Machinist - set up and operate a variety of machine tools to precision cut, mill, turn, bore, drill or grind metal and similar materials into parts or products. They study specifications and drawings, calculate dimensions and tolerances, and then measure, set up and manufacture their projects. Red Seal certification.
- Power Electrician - installs, maintains and repairs electrical and line apparatus, power generators, power converters and power transformers in generating and converter stations and substations. Alternate Licensing.
- Tool and Die Maker - fabricates, repairs and modifies custom-made prototypes and a wide variety of tools, jigs, fixtures, gauges and dies for use in industrial and manufacturing production. Jigs and fixtures are devices that hold work pieces while they are bored, stamped, milled or drilled. Red Seal Certification.
- Water and Wastewater Technician - are vital to almost every facet of the water and wastewater industry, ensuring the safety of potable water and the safe processing of wastewater to meet public health, environmental and consumer concerns. Alternate licensing.
- Welder - has the knowledge, ability and skills required to lay out, cut, prepare, repair, form, bend, install and join metals using a variety of welding equipment. Red Seal certification.

TRANSPORTATION TRADES

These skilled tradespeople fix and maintain cars, trucks, agricultural equipment, heavy equipment, as well as the parts and equipment of these vehicles.

Apprenticeship training for transportation trades ranges from 2 to 4 years.

HSAP Available Transportation Trades:

- Agricultural Equipment Technician - services, repairs, assembles and maintains any agricultural equipment and attachments used for farming operations. Red Seal certification.
- Aircraft Maintenance Journeyperson - maintains fixed-wing and rotory-wing aircraft. Alternate Licencing.
- Automotive Painter - sands, spot fills, primes, finishes and paints motor vehicles. Red Seal certification.
- Auto Service Technician - diagnoses malfunctions and repairs automobiles, buses, and trucks to standards of safe and reliable operation. Red Seal certification.
- Diesel Engine Mechanic - diagnose, service, adjust, overhaul and maintain and test diesel engines and related equipment and components as well as related electrical and electronic systems. Much of the heavy equipment used in the construction, transportation and farming industries, such as bulldozers, cranes and tractors are powered by diesel. Alternate Licencing.
- Gas Turbine Repair and Overhaul Technician - works in a facility that has a dedicated engine overhaul, heavy maintenance or repair shop capable of disassembly, inspection and reassembly of internal engine components using engine manuals and engine-specific tooling. Alternate Licencing.
- Heavy Duty Equipment Technician - diagnoses, troubleshoots, examines, tests, repairs and maintains a wide variety of heavy duty vehicles. Red Seal certification.
- Marine and Outdoor Power Equipment Technician - is certified to repair, service and maintain small gasoline and diesel powered equipment such as outboard and inboard motors, jet drives in boats and personal watercraft (PWC), stern drives, lawn and garden equipment, snowmobiles, all terrain vehicles (ATVs) and similar multi-wheeled vehicles and related trailers. Red Seal certification.
- Motor Vehicle Body Repairer (Metal and Paint) - restores the structural integrity of a damaged vehicle during the repair process. Red Seal certification.
- Railway Car Technician - inspect, repair, replace and recondition mechanical or structural components and systems of freight cars and passenger coaches. Alternate Licencing.
- Recreation Vehicle Service Technician - inspects, tests, replaces and services all systems contained within a recreation vehicle, except for its engine and drive train. Red Seal certification.
- Transport Trailer Technician - is certified to service, repair, assemble and maintain transport trailers used to carry commercial or non-commercial goods as registered under The Highway Traffic Act. They work on all parts and systems of a transport trailer, including framework, body work, suspension, brakes, wheels, electrical, hydraulic, refrigeration and heating. Red Seal certification.
- Truck and Transport Mechanic - maintains, service, repair and modifies transport trucks and their components. Red Seal certification.

CONSTRUCTION TRADES

These skilled tradespeople work in the construction industry. They build schools, hospitals, offices, apartments and houses. They also work at painting, roofing, finishing and other challenging jobs.

Apprenticeship training for the construction trades ranges from 3 to 4 years.

HSAP Available Construction Trades:

- Boilermaker - assembles, installs and fits tanks, boilers and other storage equipment. Red Seal certification.
- Bricklayer - works on projects where they lay bricks, block stone, glass block or terra cotta to build walls, partitions, fireplaces, chimneys, smokestacks and other structures. Red Seal certification.
- Cabinetmaker - produces furniture, cabinetry and architectural millwork from a variety of natural and manufactured materials. Red Seal certification.
- Carpenter - cribs basements, builds house frameworks, walls, roofs and exterior finishes, and installs doors, windows, flooring, cabinets, stairs, handrails, moulding and ceiling tiles. Red Seal certification.
- Concrete Finisher - orders, places, finishes, protects, restores and repairs concrete in projects that vary from bridge span decks to industrial floors and street pavement. Red Seal certification.
- Construction Craft Worker - responsible for site preparation and cleanup, setting up and removing access equipment, working on concrete and masonry, steel, wood and pre-cast erecting projects. They handle materials and equipment and perform demolition, excavation and compaction activities. Red Seal certification.
- Construction Electrician - plans, assembles, installs, repairs, tests and maintains electrical fixtures and systems that provide heat, light, power or control in residential, commercial and industrial buildings. Red Seal certification.
- Floorcovering Installer - assess, prepare, plan, repair, remove and install all kinds of floorcoverings such as carpet, resilient flooring, wood flooring and associated trim. Red Seal certification.
- Gasfitter - install, inspect, repair and maintain gas lines and gas equipment such as meters, regulators, heating units and appliances in residential, commercial and industrial establishments. Red Seal certification.
- Glazier - Works mainly with glass, which requires careful handling, glazing, setting, fabrication and preparation. Red Seal certification.
- Insulator (Heat and Frost) - reads and interprets drawings and specifications to determine insulation requirements and select the amount and type of installation to be installed. Red Seal certification.
- Ironworke r - erects structural steel components, reinforces steel, post tension tendons, installs conveyors and robotic equipment and performs reconstructive work on existing structures and bridges. Red Seal certification.
- Landscape Horticulturist - design, construct, install and maintain landscaping. Projects include walkways, fences, decks, outbuildings, and irrigation systems. Responsibilities include maintaining inventory and facilities in greenhouses and garden retail centres and advising customers and clients on plants, plant materials, pesticides, fertilizers and other landscaping products. Red Seal certification.
- Lather (Interior Systems Mechanic ) - assembles and installs support framework for ceiling systems, interior and exterior walls and building partitions. Red Seal certification.
- Painter and Decorator - applies paints and other finishes to protect and beautify surfaces in all kinds of buildings. Red Seal certification.
- Plumber - Plans, installs, maintains, inspects and repairs plumbing systems, fixtures, equipment and controls in buildings. Red Seal certification.
- Pre-Engineered Building Erector - fabricate, construct and join scaffolding, and erect pre-engineered buildings. They are limited to work on one-storey, steel framed buildings generally referred to pre-engineered buildings. Alternate certification.
- Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Mechanic - installs, repairs, services, replaces and maintains a variety of air conditioning, heating, ventilation and air exchange systems. Red Seal certification.
- Roofer - determines the best way to install or repair roofs, uses hoists to lift roofing material onto roofing surfaces, prepares, replaces or constructs decking, installs vapour barriers, insulation and roofing materials. Red Seal certification.
- Sheet Metal Worker - Lay out, cut, shape and finish sheet metal using hand and power tools and join the sheet metal using welding tools, rivets, screws and folding. Red Seal certification.
- Sloped Roofer - is a person who installs, replaces and repairs sloped roofs using products such as shingles, asphalt, metal, tile, wood, slate, composite or rolled product roofing. Sloped Roofers install attic ventilation systems and flashing for sloped roofs, installs roof accessories, such as brackets and skylights, in and on sloped roofs and maintains and diagnoses issues with existing sloped roofs. Alternate certification.
- Sprinkler Fitter - plans, layouts, assembles, installs, tests, maintains, modifies, repairs and inspects sprinkler systems and components installed in buildings for fire protection purposes. Red Seal certification.
- Steamfitter-Pipefitter - lays out, assembles, fabricates, installs, maintains and repairs piping systems used to carry steam, water, air, gases, chemicals, solids and fuel. Red Seal certification.

SERVICE TRADES

These skilled tradespeople work provide a service to the public, such as cook, hairstylist and landscape technicians.

Apprenticeship training for the service trades ranges from 2 to 3 years.

HSAP Available Service Trades:

- Cook - plans menus, prepare a variety of foods according to health and safety regulations and manage a commercial kitchen. Red Seal certification.
- Electrologist - perform pre-epilation (pre-hair removal) treatments, electrolysis using galvanic and/or short-wave currents, and post-epilation (post-hair removal) treatments to remove unwanted hair for clients. Electrologists consult with clients to determine the treatment needed and to outline any risks. They also sterilize equipment and keep their work areas clean and sanitary, sometimes performing reception and management duties. Alternate Licencing – Compulsory Trade.
- Esthetician - performs the tasks of nail or skin care technician. Alternate Licencing.
- Hairstylist - cuts and styles and shampoo men’s, women’s and children's hair; heat and chemical preparations for hair including colour, permanents, straightening, bleaching and conditioning and beautification treatment on the face, neck and scalp. Red Seal certification and alternate licencing.
- Parts Person - manages and sells an inventory of parts for vehicles, appliances, machinery and equipment. Red Seal certification.
- Pork Production Technician - handles and cares for pigs in the breeding, farrowing, nursery, grow/finish stages of pork production. Manitoba certificate.