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 General Machinist is 8,000 hours (approximately four years) consisting of 7,280 hours of on-the-job work experience and 720 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 General Machinist apprenticeship includes three levels of theoretical training, which includes but is not limited to instruction in:

• applied trade safety practices
• applied trade calculations, charts, and tables
• engineering drawings/CAD (computer-aided design) data, layout processes
• metallurgy (science of metals)
• metrology (science of measuring and checking)
• benchworking techniques
• metal cutting saw technology
• drilling, turning, milling and grinding technologies
• computerized numerically controlled (CNC) technology

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.)

General Machinist 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 Machinist: www.red-seal.ca.