Herzing Skilled Trades

Updated December 2023

With the construction industry booming and large numbers of older workers retiring, the time is right to begin a career in the skilled trades.

While there is currently high demand for many occupations related to construction, new grads still have to compete for great jobs. Choosing to learn two trades is an excellent strategy for maximizing your opportunities in the job market.

Updated January 2024

There's no doubt that gas-powered appliances play an extremely important role in our lives. They're used for cooking meals, safely storing food, heating buildings, and many other purposes in residential, commercial, and industrial settings.

However, they must be properly installed and maintained by trained professionals to function effectively and safely.

Installing and servicing these types of appliances is the job of the gas technician. It's a challenging and rewarding occupation that can also pave the way for plumbing, HVAC, and appliance technician work.

If you're interested in pursuing a gas tech career in Ontario, your specific duties, salary, and job opportunities are highly dependent on the level of licensing you achieve.

The starting point for work in this field is the Gas Technician 3 training program. With additional training, you can earn the more advanced G2 and G1 certifications.

Wondering what exactly is the difference between a level 3 and level 2 licence? Read on for a full breakdown.

Updated December 2023

Should you become an electrician? If you look at it from an employment and salary angle, the answer is easy.

Electricians have been in steady demand across Ontario for the past several years—and the trend is expected to continue.

Construction projects in Ontario cities are creating plenty of jobs for electricians. The government is investing in education, healthcare, and transit building projects, and there are many condos going up in urban centres throughout the province.

Salaries for electricians are also going strong. The median wage for electricians in Ontario right now is $34 per hour, or about $71,000 a year.

At the high end of the pay scale, electricians are making $50 per hour—that's $104,000 a year. (Salary information is based on the latest report from the Government of Canada Job Bank.)

But it's not all about money.

To do well in electrician training, and feel happy in your career, you'll need a certain set of professional and personal skills.

So let's take a look at eight of the most important skills for successful electricians.

By the time you reach number eight, you'll have a much better idea of whether this trade is right for you (plus some helpful links and steps to take next). Let's get started.

Updated December 2023

Some of the most in-demand jobs in Canada right now are in the construction industry.

Careers in the skilled trades offer tremendous opportunities across the country, with great freedom of mobility and job security. These are the jobs least likely to be sent offshore or be lost to automation. They offer high pay, great benefits, and often the flexibility to set your own hours or be your own boss.

Ontario's construction industry is projected to grow over the coming years, driven by numerous new infrastructure and utilities projects as well as big demand in the residential building and renovation market.

And don't forget, many skilled tradespeople are continuing to retire. Over 82,000 trades positions will need to be filled in Ontario alone between 2023 and 2032 to make up for those who are exiting the industry.

If you're thinking about construction trades training, take a look at five of the most in-demand careers out there right now.

In today's competitive job market, having expertise in a secondary trade can really increase your job options.

Building a diverse skillset makes you eligible for a much wider range of employment opportunities, giving you better chances for finding which career path works best for you.

This is why combined trades training could be your best choice.

Imagine a world without refrigerators or washing machines. Pretty hard, isn't it?

It's no wonder that these appliances are often considered the inventions that most changed people's lives in the last century—even more so than antibiotics and television!

Household appliances are an essential part of every home. We rely on refrigerators, freezers, washers, dryers, ovens, dishwashers, microwaves, and other appliances to simplify our busy modern lives.

When these machines break down, it usually takes a skilled technician to get them back running again. As appliances become increasingly complex and multi-functional, professionals with specialized training are needed for repairs and service.

Here are five popular career paths you can choose from after finishing your pre-apprenticeship appliance technician training.

Updated December 2023

If you're the type of person who likes solving problems and is curious about how mechanical things work, you should consider pursuing a career as an electrician.

These skilled technicians are responsible for creating the wiring that powers our society, from our homes and workplaces to the lights on our streets.

Not only is it an important occupation for keeping our modern lives running smoothly and safely, but an electrician career also offers excellent job security and employment prospects.

Updated January 2024

Communication networks are one of the connecting foundations of modern society, essential to both business and leisure for enabling information to travel freely throughout the world.

This data and voice information that links people and places typically moves from one network device to another through the use of cabling systems.

Network cabling technicians have the important job of installing and repairing these telecommunications lines that we all rely on. This career requires a specialized understanding of various cabling and media, physical and logical networks, and signal transmission.

Curious about what exactly network cabling technicians do and the sort of employment opportunities you can expect?

Here's what you need to know.