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Start Your Skilled Trades Career in Less Than a Year!

Our Skilled Trades pre-apprenticeship and career exploration programs equip students for rewarding careers in skilled trades. With job readiness achieved in just over six months and an impressive placement rate of over 90%, our programs are built for success.

 

Our training programs are offered at no cost. This allows participants to gain the essential knowledge and develop the skills needed to embark on a rewarding career — tuition-free.

Pre-apprenticeship Training

Our free pre-apprenticeship programs offer training to eligible individuals, along with job search assistance after graduation. Students graduate with valuable skills and hands-on experience, fully prepared to launch a career in the industrial or construction sector.

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Skilled Trades Exploration

Our free Skilled Trades Exploration Programs help eligible individuals explore and start careers in the skilled trades by providing hands-on experience in construction, manufacturing, and electrical trades.

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Academic Upgrading Programs

Develop new skills or build on existing ones with our free academic upgrading and training programs, designed for employment, mature student testing, apprenticeship training, and other exams.

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TradesLink Ontario – Foreign Credentials Recognition Program

The program is open to newcomers with international post-secondary education, and training or experience in the trades who want to work in the skilled trades in Canada.

It provides personalized guidance and resources to help participants in navigating the credential recognition process and beginning the path toward Canadian certification.

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Building Better Futures

Client Testimonials

I’m thrilled to share that I’ve officially graduated from CREW – my Residential Electrical and Carpentry Pre-Apprenticeship program with the Centre for Skills Development This experience has been nothing short of transformative, equipping me with the skills and confidence to bring projects to life from the ground up.One of the highlights of this journey was working on a 500 sq. ft. home build, where I had the opportunity to get hands-on with every stage of construction, including:• Framing: Turning blueprints…

Mustafa A. Burlington, ON

MEP – I came to The Centre as an accountant that couldn’t stand sitting at a desk any longer, with no experience or marketable skills in the trades at all. I had never even owned my own screwdriver and had friends help assemble my furniture. The Centre allowed me to restart my life as a millwright. Anything I can do to spread the word of the fantastic programs offered by the Centre I will do, it’s such a fantastic resource.…

Christopher Bouridis Burlington, ON

Skilled Trades Exploration for Newcomers Hi Richard, I hope you’re doing well. I wanted to reach out to stay in touch and also to express my appreciation for all your guidance during the Machining for Newcomers program. Your detailed way of teaching — especially the step-by-step explanations of the machines, safe operation, and precision techniques — made a huge difference in my understanding. The hands-on coaching on milling, drilling, lathe operation, measuring tools, and setups gave me confidence I never…

Raghav Burlington, ON

The Trades We Teach

We offer comprehensive instruction and training to help you launch a career in a variety of skilled trades by preparing you for your apprenticeship and/or job. Our programs include Industrial Electrical, Residential Electrical, Machining, Industrial Millwright, and Carpentry in Construction, providing you with the knowledge and hands-on experience needed to have a successful start in these high-demand fields. Our programs are free to all participants. 

Careers in Skilled Trades

Skilled trades play a vital role in Canada’s economy, offering numerous compelling reasons to consider pursuing a career in this field. With a diverse range of job opportunities, skilled trades provide flexibility and variety for workers. Many trades offer the opportunity to “earn while you learn,” making them financially accessible. Additionally, strong labour market demands ensure job security, while high job satisfaction and competitive earning potential make the skilled trades a rewarding career choice.

What you’ll like about our programs

Students enjoy small class sizes and hands-on practical training, spending 70–80% of their time in the shop. No additional academic electives are required, and all instruction is provided by seasoned industry professionals.

All skilled trades training programs take place at our skilled trades workshop at 3335 North Service Road, Burlington and our head office at 3350 South Service Road, Burlington.

Connect with us

Latest Job Openings

Visit the Job Board to see all available openings.

Senior Technical Service Advisor & Trainer

1-430, Industrial Dr., Milton (Head Office) In-person Permanent

Posted: December 16, 2025

Position Summary: At FSS, we prioritize exceeding customer expectations in every interaction. As the Senior Technical Service Advisor & Trainer, your role significantly impacts our business operations and overall customer satisfaction. By providing support to Food Service Solutions Inc. (Canada …

JobID: FM245

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Quality Control Operator

Burlington, ON In-person Permanent

Posted: December 15, 2025

As a team member of the Order Fulfillment and Quality Control department, you will be challenged with inspecting electronic equipment while processing against customer purchase orders.  Responsibilities:   Requirements:  What we offer: 

JobID: HV-Quality Control Operator

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Office Clerk

Burlington, ON In-person Permanent

Posted: December 15, 2025

Rate of Pay: $23 an hour – Full-time Job Summary: The Office Clerk is responsible to the Office Manager for daily processing of company business transactions. This position may be assigned one or more clerical tasks as needed. Some of …

JobID: HV-Office Clerk

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News & Events

News

Holiday Hours

December 18, 2025

Schedule for Remote Employment Services WEDNESDAYDECEMBER 24, 2025CLOSES AT 3PMTHURSDAYDECEMBER 25, 2025CLOSEDFRIDAYDECEMBER 26, 2025CLOSEDMONDAYDECEMBER 29, 2025REMOTE SERVICESTUESDAYDECEMBER 30, 2025REMOTE SERVICESWEDNESDAYDECEMBER 31, 2025REMOTE SERVICESTHURSDAYJANUARY 1, 2026CLOSEDFRIDAYJANUARY 2, 2026OPEN Contact Information for Remote Employment Services LOCATIONTELEPHONEEMAILCLARKSON905-333-3499 x 462clarksonweb@centreforskills.caMILTON905-333-3499 x 459miltonweb@centreforskills.caOAKVILLE905-333-3499 x 421oakvilleweb@centreforskills.caBURLINGTON905-333-3499…
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Job Loss – How to Turn the Page 

December 4, 2025

Losing a job can feel like a nice cozy rug has been pulled out from under you and you’re now lying on the hard cold floor. Sure, it’s about the loss in pay, but it’s also about the sudden shift…
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Convert International Trades Experience into Canadian Certification with the help of TradesLink Ontario!

November 12, 2025

Stop waiting and start working! Are you an internationally trained and experienced tradesperson in a trade where certification/licensing is required? Are you confused or frustrated by the process? That’s where the TradesLink Ontario Program at the Centre for Skills steps…
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For Employers

Our pre-apprentices are skilled, trained, safety-certified, and ready to work.

Meet your recruiting needs with qualified apprentices who are prepared to contribute from day one.

Contact our Employer Services today!