
A free program, in Oshawa Ontario, for 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. Indigenous men are welcome to apply for a potential cohorts to be provided in an Indigenous community. Offered by the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 353 through a Government of Ontario Skills Development Fund.

15 WEEKS SKILLS TRAINING
Foundational skills assessment, success planning, electrical theory and trade skills training for job placement readiness. This training is offered at the IBEW 353 Training Centre at 1001 Ritson Road South in Oshawa Ontario.
The 15 weeks of skills training for Indigenous participants may take place in the IBEW 353 Pathway Program Mobile Training Unit, in Toronto or at a location in an Indigenous community, to be announced.
10 WEEKS JOB PLACEMENT
Participants’ pre apprentice 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.
SUPPORT THROUGH THE PROGRAM AND BEYOND
Health and safety training, hand tools, and ongoing mentoring support provided.
SKILLS TRAINING DETAILS
15 weeks
- Foundational skills gaps assessments (Reading, Document Use, Numeracy) will help The Pathway instructors design individual program components to boost success for each participant.
- Participants will be provided with required health & safety training, including Worker Health & Safety in 4 Steps, WHMIS and Working at Heights.
- Other beneficial training may be provided to ensure safe work practices.
- Participants will learn introductory electrical trade theory, including DC circuits, electricity and magnetism, the Ontario Electrical Code, and Prints & Drawings.
- Practical hands on shop training will include electrical safety tool box talks, pipe bending, conduit installation, wire pulling, circuit building, and device installation.
These courses will bring participants’ skill to workplace readiness levels which will help their success on the job, as well as in first term trade school later on in their anticipated apprenticeship.
JOB PLACEMENT DETAILS
10 weeks
- Job placements with employers are arranged by Pathway staff.
- After the 25 weeks of the program are successfully completed, participants will be better prepared to successfully apply for IBEW 353 electrical apprenticeship, pending individual qualifications.
- Participants may apply to become IBEW 353 electrical apprentices through employer sponsorship or through direct application to the Electrical Apprentice Training Alliance (EATA).
SUPPORT DETAILS
Support provided through the program and beyond
While success cannot be guaranteed, the program is designed to support participants with introductory electrical trade related skills to optimize their chances at success when seeking sponsorship from an employer, or applying for electrical apprenticeship through the EATA. It is expected that most participants who complete the 25 week program will be sponsored by an employer.
- Participants will receive ongoing support from Mentors and Instructors who have been trained in Mentorship Matters, Equity Diversity Decolonization Inclusion (EDDI), Be More Than A Bystander, The Working Mind (TWM), and Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) training.
- Primary Mentors and Instructors will provide mentoring, tutoring, and guidance support while monitoring the progress of program participants through the 15 weeks of training to ensure that participants meet milestone successes.
- Job site mentors will provide further support during the 10 week job placement.
- Participants will also receive Mentorship Matters, TWM, and MHFA training.
- Participants may choose to stay connected and receive ongoing support beyond the 25 weeks of the program.
Through the program and beyond, the Pathway staff, instructors, and mentors will help participants’ find solutions for overcoming barriers to success.
THE PATHWAY INTAKES FOR 2025
Applications will be placed on a waitlist for potential 2025 Cohorts. Interviews may be arranged for qualifying applicants starting March 2025.
