Herzing Skilled Trades

Neil Szabo surrounded by HVAC and gas technician study materials at his home in Toronto

Neil Szabo did not start out wanting to become a gas technician. In fact, he spent almost two decades working in television before deciding it was time for a change.

He looked at all the options and settled on gas technician training as the quickest, most efficient route to a satisfying and well-paid career. Now he's a G2 certified technician with a full-time job at a great local company. 

It's been an action-packed journey of training and growth. Neil says he's learned more in the last few months than he did in the previous several years!

And it all started with gas technician training at Herzing College Toronto. Neil graduated from the program in May 2020 and has been thriving in the trade ever since.

This week we caught up with Neil to find out how things are going at work and what he's up to now.

Updated January 2024

Thinking about enrolling in an HVAC program this year? Ontario has solid job growth in HVAC right now, so you're on the right track in terms of career opportunities.

But what else should you know up front before you invest in training?

For example, is your goal to become a certified HVAC technician? If so, you'll need to land an apprenticeship, complete mandatory courses, and take a certification exam.

You will also need your gas technician licence. You won't get far in HVAC without it!

Certified Electrician instructor, Lakeram Ramkaran at the Herzing College Toronto campus

Lakeram Ramkaran has been teaching Herzing's Pre-apprenticeship Electrician training since the beginning of 2020. But his experience as an electrician goes way back, all the way to Guyana, where he learned how to build circuits as a young boy.

Like so many Torontonians, Lakeram immigrated to Canada looking for new opportunities. He retrained to meet Canadian electrician certification requirements, passed the exam, and became a master electrician.

He also earned certification as an Ontario teacher in 2011, setting him on the path to a career in skilled trades education.

Ten years later, Lakeram is helping train the next generation of electrician apprentices. A veteran of the trade with 15 years of practical experience, Lakeram is the ideal person to answer our questions about becoming an electrician.

Updated November 2023

Good electricians will always be in demand. Talented “sparkies” are respected for their intelligence, problem-solving abilities, and technical knowledge.

However, it takes several years of training and hard work to become an electrician. And life on the job isn't always easy. Do you have what it takes? Is this the right trades career for you? 

In this post, we put together the most common pros and cons of becoming an electrician.  Salary, working conditions, certification requirements, job safety, cost of training—we cover it all. 

Find out if a career as an electrician is a good fit for you and what steps to take next. 

Thinking about becoming a gas technician? You've come to the right place. As both an instructor and employer, with over 20 years experience in the field, Winston knows exactly what you need to succeed.

We interviewed Winston this week to get an inside look at gas tech training. We talked about what to expect in class, the toughest parts of training, TSSA exams, and how to get hired.

He also explained gas technician job options, tips for impressing employers, and the biggest advantages to choosing this trade.

This is everything you need to know about starting a career in the gas trade, straight from an expert. Let's get started.

Darren Fearnley is a 40-year veteran of the HVAC industry. He teaches the HVAC and Gas Technician program at Herzing College. 

Are you thinking of becoming an HVAC mechanic? No matter which part of the industry you’re aiming for, your path begins with a solid pre-apprenticeship program. Students with a good grounding in HVAC fundamentals have a much better chance of landing an apprenticeship—which you’ll need to get certified. 

Pre-apprenticeship students in class at Herzing College (2019)

Updated December 2023

Electricians and plumbers have more in common than you might think. They’re both respected tradespeople. They both provide an essential service that will always be in demand. They’re both well paid and if they want, can go into business for themselves. 

So which trade should you choose? Should you become a plumber or an electrician? 

There’s always been debate over which of these trades is “better”. The truth is, there is no right answer. But, there are a few things you can think about, to help figure out which path fits you best. 

Here are seven key points to consider when making your decision. 

A network cabling student at work in the classroom at Herzing College

Updated January 2024

If you’re thinking about starting a trades career, you’re probably looking for a trade that matches your natural skills and interests—and has good employment prospects where you live. 

You need to make sure your investment in trades training will pay off. And that means doing some research on which jobs are most in demand and which of those trades are a good fit for you. 

This week we’re spotlighting the network cabling field. This trade has seen stable employment in Ontario over the last several years, with positive outlooks for the future. It’s also a voluntary trade, which means you don’t need to do an apprenticeship and get certified in order to work in the field. 

Training for network cabling specialists is quick, there are several different job options out there, and you can even start your own business. 

Is becoming a network cabling specialist right for you? Here’s what you need to know to make a smart decision. 

Pre-apprenticeship plumber students hard at work at Herzing College in Toronto 

Updated January 2024

Thinking about becoming a plumber and looking into pre-apprenticeship programs? Like most skilled tradespeople right now, plumbers are in demand—so it’s a smart career choice. 

Photo: Leshan Patterson at Herzing College

Updated April 2022

Leshan Patterson never intended to pursue a career in the skilled trades. He went to university and earned a degree in bio-medical science before realizing he wasn't on the right career path.

Leshan started researching other options and discovered he was a perfect fit to become an electrician. He enrolled in the Combined Electrician and Network Cabling Technology Program at Herzing and never looked back.

Now, he's graduated from the program, and just been hired as an Electrician Apprentice with Micromaster Pioneers - a Toronto company that delivers residential and commercial electrical services.

We interviewed Leshan to find out what he thought of Herzing's training, and what he's up to at his new job. He gave us an inside look at what it's like to go back to school, and take a chance on a new career path.

Here are the highlights from our conversation.