Herzing Skilled Trades

Updated December 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 December 2024

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 2024

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. 

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

Updated December 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.

Plumber instructor, Steve Dramnitzke at the Herzing College Cambridge Campus

Steve Dramnitzke is one of the most respected instructors at Herzing Trades (formerly known as the PAT Institute).

His extensive experience as a plumber, and proven abilities as a teacher, give students in his plumber program that extra “edge” after graduation.

We interviewed Steve to learn more about his background, and get an inside look at how he runs his classroom.

Updated December 2024

It doesn't take long to become a gas technician. Training is relatively quick, no apprenticeship is required, and there's room for growth—if you're willing to earn higher levels of certification.

But is this the right trade for you?

In this post, we break down eight important things to know if you're thinking about becoming a gas technician (gas fitter).

We cover the job outlook in Ontario, how to get licensed, the different levels of gas technician, how much money you'll make, the skills needed to succeed in this field, and more.

By the end of this post, you'll have a much better idea of what the trade is all about—and exactly how to get started.