“I use steel to organize space.” Although these may sound like the words of an architect or engineer, they were spoken by an artist named Richard Serra.

Although welding is responsible for some of our most practical tools and structural materials, the art of shaping and bonding metals has also attracted more creative minds. Metal sculpture, made with welding, sheet metal and other techniques, represents some of the largest and most permanent pieces of art in the world. Perhaps it was the first large-scale world war that inspired artists to take up metal as their medium. Artists are known to react to global catastrophes in their work, and the technological destruction of WWI made possible by the industrial revolution influenced the artistic choice to employ welding and metalwork as an appropriate response.

Unlike painting or other forms of visual art, not just anybody can begin sculpting with metal by welding or sheet metal formation on their own. Working with metal requires a respect for the dangers that are involved, like fire, fumes, and even ultraviolet light. Because of the technical skill and hazard involved in this craft, it is highly recommended to get formal training. One does not need to even necessarily attend a formal art school to do so, but any technical program or welding apprenticeship will provide the right education and practice. It doesn’t matter if the apprentice plans on going into business or the arts, so long as the craft is used appropriately and responsibly.

Here are three examples of artists who work with metal, but in very different ways:

·         One of the first large-scale metal sculptures is called Worker and Kolkhoz Woman by the soviet artist Vera Mukhina. Her 1937 work is an attempt to capture the optimism of communism’s monumental ideologies about work, technology, and progress. Since welding is primarily a medium of practical work and construction and not pure art, it was perfectly suited to Mukhina’s artistic vision.

·         A modern big name is the American Richard Serra, who specialized in sheet metal art in the 1970s. Perhaps his most famous is his 1987 piece, Fulcrum, a tall sheet metal sculpture that lets the view enter its space, taking its influence from sheet metal as a form of building construction. The modern city which finds its inhabitants spending more time indoors is therefore reflected by the “indoor” viewing experience of Fulcrum.

·         Another famous postmodern artist is David Smith. He combines abstract expressionism with stainless steel to create surreal pieces of industrial ambiguity, like his Cubi works. The practicality of stainless steel is juxtaposed by pure abstraction of his visually-stunning work.  

                                   

These are just a few examples of artists working with metal sculpture. While their background and influences vary according to the times, they all share a love for metal as a form of creative expression. If you are interested in experimenting with metal work as an artist, consider a welding or sheet metal worker apprenticeship through a university to get familiar with the medium and to give yourself the time, energy and safe environment to practice it.

Visit Mohawk College for more information on welding, sheet metal, or steamfitter apprenticeship programs.     

Industry and business in the Middle Ages was dominated by a system of specialized craft guilds. A master craftsman would take on a young apprentice in a mutually-agreed upon contract where the apprentice would get formal training in a craft, as well as food and lodging, in exchange for helping the master craftsman with his business. Eventually, the apprentice would become their own master craftsman and pass on their knowledge and skill to future apprentices.

Today, the apprenticeship system has evolved, but the foundations are still the same. Someone aspiring to work in a specific trade or craft can become an apprentice to get real-world educational training by working for a company that can provide the environment and situations necessary for the experience. It is the essence of all hands-on work experience.

Signing up for an apprentice program through the resources offered by a college or vocational school is a great way ease into the process. One of the advantages of this is that the student has the opportunity to continue combining theoretical classroom training with on-the-job experience.

Many schools with vocational programs have intimate ties with the industries in which they are training future professionals. Once a student has found an employer willing to offer an apprenticeship, the school can help the student evaluate whether or not this employer has all of the necessary background and resources to ensure the best possible training. By registering as an apprentice through a school, the hours the apprentice puts in will translate to credits in completion of a certificate or diploma.

Many apprenticeship programs don’t begin by placing the student with a company right away. There is always the risk that a lack of sufficient skill or proper knowledge of an industry and its leading companies won’t prepare the student enough to begin working as an apprentice. Also, without any preparation from a school or institution, the budding apprentice may not possess the background to be attractive to the best employers for an apprenticeship. It is always a good idea to consider a school with pre-apprenticeship training program.

Apprenticeships are often done simultaneously with a college program, but one does not have to rush into working side-by-side with learning. If you know what field of apprenticeship you would like to enter, consider completing a college diploma or certificate program in a related field. Not only will employers be more likely to give you an apprenticeship, but it will also give you the chance to get a taste of the industry and to know exactly what kind of apprenticeship or career you are after.

Many provinces in Canada give students the opportunity to register as apprentices while finishing high school. Apprenticeships in Ontario, for example, have an excellent Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program to help young people learn about the process and get them started early.

Being a professional means having a wide range of knowledge and experience, but it is always a learning process. Get started early on a career by turning real life work into a cornerstone of your education by being an apprentice.

Visit Mohawk College for information about automotive apprenticeships.

If you have not been a student for a significant amount of time, the idea of going back to school can be quite unsettling. The best thing you can do for yourself is be prepared. Here is how: 

The Reason

Before actually sending out your applications, you need to sit down and figure out the real reason behind your desire to go back to school. Is it to open up your career options? Is it to impress someone? Or is it strictly to gain new knowledge? Whatever your reason, be sure that your decision to go back to school is for you and not anyone else. If you wind up sitting in class for the betterment of someone else, odds are you are going to resent school, your prospective degree, and the person who you are presumably doing it all for.

Preliminaries

Before sending out your application, you may want to first verify that you meet all of the requirements necessary to be considered an eligible candidate. Some college and universities require a high-school degree, while most allow people to apply to certain programs as mature students. Regardless of which category you fall under, it is a good idea to check to make sure that you meet all the admission requirements. If it happens that you do not, consult an academic advisor at the institution you hope to attend in order to discuss what you would need to do in order to become eligible to apply.

The Options

 

There is wide range of academic courses and programs that you can choose from. What you choose to study depends entirely on what you hope to get from your degree. If you want to work with cars, then an automotive apprenticeship is likely what you are looking for. But if you are not sure if you actually want to work in the automotive industry just yet, then perhaps taking a few independent courses might be a better idea.  Ultimately, you need to look at a degree or diploma in one of two ways: as a means to an end, or as an end in itself.

If you look at knowledge as an end in itself, then you will be more than happy to go to school for the sake of learning.  But if you consider academic certification as a means to an end, then what you really want is for your degree to help you gain something more than knowledge itself. This is not a bad thing, and as we know, the intention most people have when they go to school is to increase their career opportunities.

If a career boost is what you are after, then you may want to give some extra thought to co-op programs and apprenticeship programs because of the hands-on work experience that is integrated into the curriculum.

If widening your career options is what you are aiming for, then try to give your career some thought. What do you want to do? Is there an industry demand where you live? Of the prospective employers in your area, which can you see yourself working with in the future? Thinking about these factors will really help you narrow down your choices.

Visit Mohawk College for more information on apprenticeships in Ontario.

The main difference between an apprenticeship and a traditional degree program is the theory-practice ratio implemented in each. Typically, degree programs are extremely theory-heavy, and aim to introduce students to centuries’ worth of ideas and schools of thought pertaining to a respective area of study. For example, an English Literature major will spend a good portion of their academic career reading and discussing the works of countless authors, from Homer’s The Iliad (1194-1184 BC) to more obscure, lesser known works by modern authors like Michael Turner and Charles de Lint.

An apprentice, on the other hand, will find that their time in school will be dedicated more to practicing their skill set. That is not to say that apprenticeship programs do not focus on theory. Of course they do! However, before apprentices can even think of approaching a mechanism, they must first understand the concepts around it.  In fact, theory is typically taught throughout the entire apprenticeship program, giving students the opportunity to learn new principles as their skills mature.

A focus on practice means that students will be able to get hands-on experience while they are earning their certification. Unlike degree graduates, who more often than not graduate with little to no experience in their field, apprentices leave school having already clocked in a significant number of hours working. What this means is that apprentices overcome their novice stage while they are still in school, giving them a one-up in their respective industry.

An additional benefit to apprenticeship programs is the level of industry exposure students get. While apprentices are put alongside master tradespeople to learn and perfect the required expertise, they are also forming relationships with industry leaders. For example, let us say a student pursuing an automotive apprenticeship is placed at a local garage in order to complete the work experience necessary to gain his certification. The student will invariably develop relationships with colleagues, ones that will likely last years, and which will expose him to other sectors and people of the industry. In short, the nature of apprenticeships place students in an environment that gives them the opportunity to develop bonds with people, to discover different aspects of the industry, and, ultimately, be completely in the know of all things field-related.

Students who aspire to enter a skilled trade profession, such as mechanics, welding, and plumbing, may prefer to opt for an apprenticeship. There are no hard facts to sustain the belief that degree programs are better than apprenticeship programs, or vice versa. The advantages of one over the other completely depend on your own goals, and what you hope to get out of your time as a student.

Visit Mohawk College for more information on apprenticeships in Ontario.

Welding

Welders are trained experts who merge pieces of metal or thermoplastic together for building, construction, and sculpting purposes. The process of merging materials together can be done in several different ways, but will invariably involve the application of heat. The sources of heat that can be used depend on the welder, the project at hand, and the materials that are being coalesced. Typically, however, heat is applied through an open gas flame, arc discharge, electromagnetic radiation, and friction, just to name a few.   

If we stop to think about the various constructions that require welding, it quickly becomes clear how many different working environments welders can choose from. From ground-level environments, such as factories, construction sites, aviation or automobile manufacturers and repair shops, to underwater tasks, such as repairing or building ships and pipelines. There are many different work environments that welders can choose from. 

Steamfitters

Steamfitters hone a completely different craft than welders, however, welding is still a huge part of their skill set. The focus of a steamfitter’s work is on pipes (explaining why steamfitters are also referred to as pipefitters). Working with piping systems requires a great level of specialized expertise. In order to properly execute the task at hand, steamfitters will need to consult a variety of blueprints, layout plans, and technical provisions before launching the project. From there, the steamfitter will decide which tools and materials are best suited for the pipe assembly or repair, and will then begin to map out the estimated progress of the project.

A steamfitter’s job is very technical, and requires a variety of different skills, including but not limited to, precise measuring, welding, soldering, cementing, and being able to handle a wide range of power tools and machinery.  Most employers will require applicants to have completed a steamfitter apprenticeship or certification program before being hired. 

Sheet metal

Sheet metal is made from various types of metal, including steel, aluminum, silver, copper and gold. Although not immediately obvious, sheet metal is widely used, and can be seen in everything from art pieces to roof tops.  Much like steamfitters, sheet metal workers also need to be able to read and interpret intricate blueprints and design plans in order to successfully carry any given project. incorporate welding into their trade.

A sheet metal worker apprenticeship program will most likely introduce students to the various ways sheet metal workers handle the material, both of terms of the ways metal is formed (i.e. bending, rolling, ironing) and the energy source used to form it (i.e. laser cutting, drilling, shearing).  

Visit Mohawk College for more information on welding apprenticeships.

Deciding that you want to become an electrician is only part of narrowing down your career options. There are several different specializations within the electrician industry, so it is important that you explore these specializations before enrolling into a program and earning your certification. Here is a quick look at some of the different types of electricians out there.

Domestic electricians are likely the type of electrician who we are all most familiar with. Ultimately, domestic electricians are responsible for installing and repairing any and all electrical wiring in a residential setting. From the breaker unit to the wire running across the walls in the attic, domestic electricians are the go-to pros for any house-hold electrical work.

Commercial electricians extend their skills to trade settings, such as stores, shopping malls, schools and hospitals, restaurants and office buildings. This line of electric work involves installing, testing and repairing lighting and air conditioning systems. Also, many commercial facilities will need to be equipped with security systems. Most importantly, commercial settings are often obliged to adhere to health and safety standards, which electricians are responsible to know and implement.

Construction electricians are trained to install and design the electrical structure of a new building, be it residential, commercial, or industrial. That said, construction electricians typically work closely with engineers, architects, and carpenters during each step of the construction process.

Industrial electricians are responsible for installing, repairing, maintaining, and testing electrical equipment in factories, workshops, or any other industrial setting. Typically, most industrial electrician apprenticeships will train students to become specialists in instrumentation control systems, electronics and robotics, and blueprint interpretation.

Linemen (also referred to as Journeymen or outdoor electrician) specialize in building electrical power systems. From the construction of support tower to the installation of overhead power lines and underground cables, the work of linemen allows everyone to go about their day with modern conveniences, including street and traffic lights.

Regardless of which area you decide to specialize in, most electrician apprenticeships will teach the Canadian Electrical Code, meaning you will need to learn and know the code thoroughly. The code itself contains information on requirements and provisions pertaining to all electrician work, as well as details on alternative materials and resources that electricians can use instead of their traditional counterparts. 

Depending on the situation, industrial electricians may prefer to work as independent contractors rather than permanent technicians for corporations. There is no good or bad choice. It all depends on your preferred career setting.

Visit Mohawk College for more information on apprenticeships in Ontario.

You've been thinking about becoming an electrician, but can't decide for sure. Here are five reasons that may help you make up your mind.

Income

Electricians earn an annual salary of between $42,000-57,000 (approximately $20.00-30.00 per hour). This salary varies depending on the province and sector an electrician works in. Either way, the starting salaries are quite appealing, and are likely to rise with experience.

High in Demand

Most trade industries face a perpetual shortage of skilled and trained workers, which means jobs are likely to be available throughout the year. Although every industry is at risk during economic slumps, trade jobs can be more secure than those in other industries, such as real estate or finance.

Option of Union

Many electricians are part of a company-based or independent union. A well known multi-national union is International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW), which represents men and women all across North America and other parts of the world. Founded in 1891, IBEW represents approximately 750,000 workers, the majority of which are skilled electricians.

The principal advantage of being a union member is job security and salary protection, as well as other benefits. Electricians are not forced to be a part of a union, but the option is most definitely there for those who wish to go that route.

Ongoing Challenge

Just by looking at the last decade, we can see how developments in technology have changed the way we go about our everyday lives. By the looks of it, technology will just continue to be moving forward, and will undoubtedly continue to make an impact on how electricity is used.

What this means for current and prospective electricians is that they can anticipate a career that is consistently challenging by way of its ongoing evolution. Being an electrician doesn't just mean limiting your skills to what you learned in school. It requires the ability to continue learning as technology changes in order to remain an expert in the field.

Apprenticeship Opportunity

One of the most appealing features of the electrician trade is the apprenticeship option aspiring electricians have available to them. Most apprenticeships are administered at a trade college or university in conjunction with a licenced employer who agrees to train a student while they are studying. The ability to go to school while also working puts apprentices at an advantage because they are gaining valuable work experience while also earning their diploma.

Most companies will prefer to hire candidates with experience behind them, which can be a difficult requirement to meet for students who are fresh out of school. But students can dodge that hurdle by participating in an apprenticeship program.

There are typically two different types of electrician apprenticeships. There is the industrial apprenticeship, which leads to the following employment opportunities:

• Administrative and Support Services
• Professional, Scientific and Technical Services
• Federal Government Public Administration

And there is also the construction apprenticeship, which can lead to the following employment opportunities:

• Industrial, Commercial and Government Organizations
• Engineering or Research Assistants
• Light and Heavy Manufacturing
• Pulp and Paper, Steel Mills, Chemical Plants, Refineries and Power Utilities

These are just five highlights of an electrician career. There are many different sectors and opportunities within the electrician industry, making it a very appealing and rewarding career venture.

We don't have to look too far back into our history books to see that women have made incredible strides in the workforce. Not even fifty years ago women were still fighting to be given fair consideration for positions traditionally held by men. Today, women represent a good portion of most employment industries, including medical, legal, financial and business. According to a census report by Statistics Canada, women made up 47.3% of the entire Canadian workforce in 2006. This percentage rose slightly to 47.5% in 2011, illustrating that women continue to hold a near equal balance as men in the workforce at large.

But when we move from a general to a more specific perspective, we will notice that gender equality does not carry into every industry. There is no denying that jobs in certain industries will be filled more by one gender than the other. For example, in 2011 women made up more than two-thirds of the entire education industry, which includes both administrator and educator positions.

However, there is an even more alarming difference in gender representation in the mechanics industry. Currently, women hold less than 2% of all mechanist positions. In fact, it isn't only in mechanics where women fall short on the employee head count. A 2011 Statistics Canada study shows that women make up 7.4% of positions held in Trades, transport and equipment operators and related occupations. The data is most certainly surprising, and I don't think any of us thought that this wide of a disparity continues to exist today.

It is difficult to pinpoint the exact reason why women are so under-represented in the mechanics trade. We need to be weary of jumping to the assumption that the industry as a whole is guilty of sexism. I don't think this is the case at all. While sexism is an ongoing battle that both women and men have to face in the workforce, I don't think it makes for a sufficient explanation. There are other realities that must be considered, including the very fact that women are just not applying for these positions. Again, this does not suffice as a complete explanation, but women's preference for trades other than mechanics needs to be included in the examination of the existing gender disparities.

Lastly, women may feel somewhat inhibited to mechanics because of how male-dominated the industry has been for so long. The only way to overcome this is for women to simply apply themselves to the trade. There are trade schools across the country, and women are just as eligible to apply as men are. Further, most trade schools or vocational colleges will offer apprenticeship programs, meaning students will be working while studying, thereby increasing their chances of employment upon graduation.

One might think that the only options available would be an auto mechanic apprenticeship, however, there are many different types of mechanist jobs with corresponding apprenticeship programs. Here are just a few, complete with a snap shot of topics that are covered:

Automotive Service Educational Program

• Engines & Body Control System
• Steering & Suspension
• Driveline Auto Transaxles
• Diesel Engines and Electronics Controls
• Air Bag Systems

General Mechanist

• Benchwork Techniques
• Surface Grinding Technology
• Milling Technology
• Metallurgy
• Engineering Drawings

Truck and Coach Technician

• Engine Systems
• Electrical Systems
• Fuel Systems
• Drive Train Systems
• Brake Systems

Industrial Technician

• Machine Techy
• Workshop Techy
• Rigging & Hoisting
• Drawings & Schematics
• Welding & Fabric

With so many general mechanic apprenticeships and related opportunities, we can only hope that in time women will represent a bigger percentage of the mechanics industry.

You’ve been hearing people talking about apprenticeships and internships, but are not exactly sure what they are and if you need either. Here are some quick facts to help you figure out what they are, the difference between them, and which is better.

What

Apprenticeship: A preliminary employment opportunity given to a person who is not yet qualified to work in a particular trade. An apprenticeship is made up of two parts: school and work. Apprentices will get hands-on experience with a certified employer while also completing academic courses at an affiliated college.  Typically, apprenticeships are paid.

Internship: A temporary employment opportunity given to a person who has an avid interest but little to no experience in a given trade or industry. Internships are usually for 3-6 months, and allow recent graduates or industry novices the chance to gain experience in their field of interest. Some employers will offer interns a minor stipend, but most internships are unpaid.

Where

Apprenticeship programs are available at many colleges throughout Canada and can dip into almost any trade sector. From plumbing to social work, there really is no limit to the range of employers that accept apprentices onto their team.

Internships can take place in virtually any employment setting. 

How

Apprenticeship: A person must first find an employer that is willing to provide an apprenticeship, and then apply to an apprenticeship program at an affiliated college. The student’s time will be split between work and studies.

Internship: While some academic institutions facilitate internship opportunities, most internships are offered independently by employers of all trades and industries. More often than not people will need to apply for an internship directly as if they were applying for a regular job.

Why

Apprenticeships are ideal for those who are interested in specializing in a certain trade but have not yet earned official certification to practice. Students who opt for an apprenticeship program will be at an advantage because they will gain work experience while earning their diploma or certificate. Many trade employers prefer to hire candidates with previous experience, so having an apprentice under your belt will surely set you apart from other applicants. Also, although employers do not guarantee a permanent position once an apprenticeship is completed, the chance that an apprentice will be hired is pretty high.

Internships are a great way to gain first-hand job experience in a preferred industry. Although internships do not always led to full-time positions and offer no monetary compensation, they are still a great way to get a glimpse of what a position in a given field would entail.

One great factor that sets apprenticeships apart from internships is the Red Seal Program (RSP). The RSP ensures that, upon successful completion of an examination, apprenticeship graduates will be able to practice their trade anywhere across the country. This gives trade workers the liberty to work where they please without having to jump over any provincial hurdles. So, if you complete an apprenticeship in Ontario, you will be certified to work in any other province or territory without having to undergo any additional schooling. But, keep in mind that the RSP isn’t applicable to all trades. For example, some automotive apprenticeships offer the RSP program, while others do not. That said, if professional mobility is a priority in your career plans, you may want to research which trades have the RSP option before enrolling into a program.

The RSP does not mean that apprenticeships are better than internships. The question is not whether or not one is better than the other. What you need to ask is which one is right for you.

At the end of the day, both aim to provide students or novices the opportunity to gain industry or trade experience in order to help them launch their career. And trust me, they help. Every employer prefers hiring someone with some experience under their belt, and apprenticeships and internships do exactly this. So. go see what's out there and grab whichever suits you best.

A common obstacle that trade workers face is having a certification that is only valid in a given number of provinces and territories across the country. Ultimately, a limited certification prevents workers from having a level of liberty that comes with career mobility. 

Luckily, The Interprovincial Standards Red Seal Program (RSP) was created over 50 years ago to provide skilled workers a higher level of professional freedom within their trade. In short, those who write and pass the RSP examination are given a special endorsement on their certificate or diploma, thereby allowing them to practice their trade across all Canadian provinces and territories.

In order to write the RSP examination, one must first complete an apprenticeship in a designated trade. To be accepted into the apprenticeship program at a participating college, applicants need to have an employer agree to take them on as an apprentice. Students will complete academic courses while simultaneously working as an apprentice. 

The obvious benefit of enrolling in an apprenticeship program is being able to earn a degree while also gaining hands-on experience with a licenced employer. Here are just a few examples of apprenticeship programs, with a peek on what a student would be learning in school, and the potential job positions they would be fill as an apprentice:

Sheet metal worker apprenticeship

Study topics:
        - Procedures of designing, building, installing air handling systems
        - Manufacturing and gauging of metals, duct construction materials

Apprentice positions:
        - Sheet Metal Workers
        - Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Mechanics
        - Metal Forming, Shaping and Erecting Occupations


Steamfitter apprenticeship

Study topics:
        - Plan reading, specifications and building codes in mainly the industrial-commercial-institutional sector
        - Specifications of hot water boiler systems, process and air conditioning piping, gas, and refrigeration
        - The importance of workplace safety, building codes and regulations

Apprentice positions:
        - Steamfitters
        - Pipefitters
        - Certified Journeypersons
         - Skilled Trade Workers


Welder apprenticeship

Study topics:
        - Arc, gas and resistance welding theory
        - Reading and interpreting blueprints
        - Special processes such as plasma cutting and tig welding

Welder career options:
        - Journeyperson Welder
        - Fabrication Welder
        - Production Welder
        - Construction Welder
        - Pressure Vessel Welder

A welder apprenticeship will be very different than a sheet metal worker apprenticeship or a steamfitter apprenticeship. Still, each will expose students to hand-on experience of the trade. 

There are dozens more which those striving for a trade-specific career can choose from. With over 50 trades included within those that can be practiced on a national level, RSP-approved apprenticeship trades also include:

- Agricultural Equipment Technician
- Baker
- Carpenter
- Glazier
- Hairstylist
- Industrial Electrician
- Ironworker
- Mechanist
- Rig Technician
- Tower Crane Operator

It is likely that anyone will be able to find an apprenticeship program that focuses on their craft of interest.