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. Participants will be provided with tools, and will receive work wear pants, and Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) including boots, hard hat, safety vest, safety glasses, and gloves. Some participants may receive transportation, relocation, childcare, medical costs subsidies pending needs assessment after registration. Participants will be paid by their employer during the 10 weeks of job placement, at the current IBEW 353 pre apprentice rate.
WHEN DOES THE TRAINING START?
Applications for the 9th cohort (Oshawa) are no longer being accepted. Indigenous folks can apply for a 10th cohort to be provided in an Indigenous community. The 9th and 10th Cohorts will start 15 weeks of skills training December 9, 2024 and may start 10 weeks of job placement after March 28, 2025.
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 will be reimbursed to participants.
The 15 weeks of skills training for Indigenous participants may take place in the IBEW 353 Pathway Program Mobile Training Unit, at a location in an Indigenous community, to be announced. Temporary relocation and/or transportation may be provided.
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: from Toronto Lake Ontario north to Parry Sound / Huntsville; from Oakville east to Peterborough / Haliburton. While it is possible to continue a career as an IBEW 353 electrician without personal transportation, it will be difficult and likely to cause delays to career progress. Pathway participants are strongly encouraged to obtain their driving license and their own vehicle. The Pathway administrators discuss job placement locations with potential employers for each participant to optimize 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. A limited number of men from underrepresented groups has been accepted in earlier cohorts, but applications from men are currently being restricted to Indigenous men.
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 Pathway Program skills training takes place Monday to Friday, and the day will begin at 7:30 AM 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 or Contact North which may offer them support for navigating to complete their credits, as well as a link for completing credits online. Participants in the program are required to have completed all three required high school credits before dispatch to a job placement.
