APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAM

An apprenticeship training program consists of on-the-job and in-school training. Generally, the time-frame to become competent in the trade of Cement (Concrete) Finisher is 4,980 hours (approximately two and a half years) consisting of 4,500 hours of on-the-job work experience and 480 hours of in-school training. 

ON-THE-JOB TRAINING

An apprenticeship involves practical training provided on-the-job by a skilled worker, or trainer. The skills or competencies to be developed are set out by the trade’s Apprenticeship Training Standard and are recognized by the industry as being essential to the practice of the trade.

As these essential skills are developed, the apprentice’s sponsor or trainer signs the relevant sections of the training standard to indicate that the apprentice has met the individual training objectives by demonstrating the skills required of a skilled worker, or journeyperson, in the trade.

IN-SCHOOL TRAINING

A Cement (Concrete) Finisher apprenticeship includes two levels of theoretical training, which includes but is not limited to instruction in:

• pictorial drawings, trade calculations and layout tools
• hand tools and powered equipment operation
• placing, screeding and finishing technology
• concrete curing, jointing and protection
• concrete, epoxy, self levelling and other specialty flooring materials
• concrete restoration and repair of concrete structures
• liquid applied floor systems

Depending on the training delivery agency, in-school training may be available in one of the following ways:

• block release (full-time, for a set number of weeks)
• day release (one day per week from September to June)
• part-time (night-school programs)
• alternative delivery (online, correspondence, etc.)

Cement (Concrete) Finisher is a trade named under the Building Opportunities in the Skilled Trades Act, 2021.

This trade has an apprenticeship program that is administered by Skilled Trades Ontario. Upon completion of an apprenticeship program, Skilled Trades Ontario issues a Certificate of Apprenticeship.

This trade has a certifying exam. When the certifying exam is passed, Skilled Trades Ontario will issue a Certificate of Qualification in this trade. Because this trade is non-compulsory, this certificate does not have to be renewed, and the information of individuals practicing this trade will not appear on the Skilled Trades Ontario Public Register.

In Ontario, the trade is part of the Interprovincial Red Seal Program—the national standard for the trade across Canada— under the title Concrete Finisher: www.red-seal.ca.