FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
WHAT IS THE COST?
The program is free. There is no tuition for eligible participants accepted into The Pathway program.
HOW CAN I APPLY FOR FINANCIAL AID?
Participants may apply for Employment Insurance (EI) if they qualify. The Pathway cannot guarantee financial support, but makes efforts to secure funding support for participants from external sources, many participants have received such support. Participants will receive Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) including boots, hard hat, safety vest, safety glasses, and gloves. Participants will receive work wear. Participants may receive other supports pending needs assessment after registration. Participants will be paid by their employer during the 10 weeks of job placement.
WHEN DOES THE TRAINING START?
Applications for the 6th Cohort (December 4 2023 start date) are being accepted. The 6th Cohort starts 15 weeks of skills training December 4, 2023 and may start 10 weeks of job placement after March 25, 2024.
WHERE DOES THE TRAINING TAKE PLACE?
The 15 weeks of skills training takes place at the IBEW 353 Oshawa Training Centre, 1001 Ritson Road South, Oshawa, ON. There is ample free parking for anyone driving. Participants who arrive by train or bus at the Oshawa GO station by 7:20 am will be provided transportation to the training centre. Other transportation options may be arranged on an individual basis. Limited transportation costs may be reimbursed to participants.
WHERE WILL THE JOB PLACEMENT BE?
Participants job placement may be throughout the GTA and Southern Ontario in the region where IBEW 353 electricians work. The Pathway administrators will discuss job placement locations with the employers for each participant to ensure accessibility.
WHO CAN APPLY?
Women and anyone identifying as a woman, two spirit, nonbinary or other non-cis gendered persons with a welcoming focus on Indigenous and racialized and newcomer workers.
Those who meet the above requirement and are job seekers, workers at risk of job displacement, including individuals with a 900 series SIN (denotes temporary authority to work in Canada) and an open work permit awaiting their official documents for permanent residency can apply. This includes protected persons, international students who graduated from a designated learning institution and have been granted a work permit under the Post-Graduation Work Permit Program, and those in Canada on a temporary work permit who have been granted Permanent Resident status. Proof of status is required. International students and temporary foreign workers with a 900 series SIN are not eligible.
WHAT KIND OF TIME COMMITMENT IS REQUIRED FOR THE PROGRAM?
The skills training takes place Monday to Friday, and the day will begin at 7:30 AM at the Oshawa Training Centre. and end at 3:30 PM. Most IBEW 353 electrical apprentice jobs start at 7:00 AM, some job placements may start at 6:30 AM and other shifts may start in the afternoon.
CAN I PARTICIPATE IN THE PROGRAM IF I WORK FULL OR PART-TIME?
In order to participate in the program, the participant’s schedule must not interfere with the skills training and job placement as offered.
WHAT IF I DON’T HAVE THE REQUIRED HIGH SCHOOL CREDITS?
Applicants may be accepted into the Pathway Program if they are missing one required high school credit. Participants must complete any missing required high school credits on their own time at their own expense. Participants will be connected with The Career Foundation which may offer them support for navigating to complete their credits, as well as a link for completing credits online.