Herzing Skilled Trades

Appliance repair technicians are the people who come to the rescue when our dishwashers leak or our ovens won’t light.

They use their mechanical and electrical expertise to install and fix washers, dryers, stoves, fridges, dishwashers, microwaves, and other appliances. That’s the basic job description.

But if you become an appliance tech, what would you actually do on the job? What would your daily routine involve?

In this post, we explain the common tasks appliance technicians perform and what a typical workday might look like. Find out what to expect at work and see if this trade is a good choice for you.

Appliance technician students learning how to disassemble and repair microwaves at Herzing College Toronto

Updated January 2024

If you ask the average person to name some skilled trades, there’s a good chance appliance repair won’t make the list. It just doesn’t come to mind most of the time.

Which is a shame, because this is a fast-growing field with a ton of opportunities across Ontario.

Appliances like fridges, ovens, freezers, washers, dryers, and microwaves are becoming increasingly sophisticated and complex. And there aren’t enough people with the technical expertise to service and repair them.

The truth is that the demand for appliance technicians has been rising steadily for years. And it’s expected to continue growing for the foreseeable future.

Keep reading to find out what’s driving this trend—and how you can take advantage of it.

Updated November 2023

Considering a career as an electrician? Wondering what the employment outlook in Ontario is like?

Good news: the overall demand for electricians throughout the province is expected to remain steady for the foreseeable future.

Of course, there are different types of electricians, and different factors that affect the demand for their expertise. To get the full story, we reviewed labour market data for construction and maintenance electricians, industrial electricians, power system electricians, and lineworkers.

Get the latest information on demand for electricians in Ontario and learn how you can get started in this trade.

Photo: Imran Hasan, President of Transglobal Systems of Canada (TSOC)

Transglobal Systems of Canada (TSOC) has been a trusted and valued industry partner of Herzing College for a long time.

They supply the equipment that our network cabling students practice with in the Herzing workshop, participate in trade shows, and provide employment opportunities for our graduates.

Recently, TSOC took the partnership one step further. They launched a loyalty program that provides Herzing students and alumni with exclusive discounts on cabling products.

We talked with TSOC president Imran Hasan to learn more about the company, the Herzing partnership, the loyalty program, and the telecommunications industry.

Here are the highlights from our conversation.

Updated December 2023

If you're looking for a short route to an in-demand career, the skilled trades are an excellent area to explore.

We're not talking about roles like electrician and plumber, which take five years of training and apprenticeship to get certified. We're talking about trades that take less than a year to go from being a complete beginner to being fully qualified for hands-on roles employers need to fill.

In this post, we're focusing on three of today's quickest, most in-demand trades: network cabling specialist, gas technician, and appliance service technician.

All three of these careers have solid job outlooks, but don't require lengthy training or even an apprenticeship.

Read on to compare roles, salaries, and employment options for each trade--and see which one could be right for you.

Updated January 2024

Most of us take for granted that our phones, TVs, and computers connect to some sort of network. We hardly think about the people and technology that make those networks function.

We don't truly understand what goes into setting up, maintaining, and repairing the telecommunications infrastructure we rely on every single day.

This is the world of network cabling. Professionals in this field take special training to learn how to install, troubleshoot, and maintain the structured cabling systems that transmit data, voice, and video.

Thinking of starting a career in this industry?

You probably have some questions about network cabling training, like what skills you'll learn and what jobs you can get after graduation.

That's exactly what we're covering in today's post. Get a good overview of this program, find out what to expect, and see if network cabling is right for you.

Updated December 2023

So, you’re considering a career in HVAC and you’re wondering about job options and salaries in Ontario. Researching this information is actually an excellent way to familiarize yourself with the industry.  

You'll get a realistic idea of where you can work and how much money you can make. This will help you decide if HVAC is the right trade for you. 

In this post, we walk you through four common HVAC careers. You'll see typical duties and skills for each role, plus the latest information on salaries. We cover both entry-level and advanced positions. 

We also include stats on overall demand for HVAC professionals in Ontario and what to expect in HVAC training. Let’s get started. 

Updated January 2024

Living in Ontario and thinking about starting a career in network cabling?

You've come to the right place.

In this post, we'll explain what to expect from a typical network cabling course, plus certification requirements for cable technicians.

We'll also break down job options and the latest employment forecast for cable techs in the province.

Here's everything you need to know.

Updated May 2023

Construction electricians are the skilled tradespeople who get the lights on and the machines running. They plan, install, upgrade, maintain, and repair the electrical systems that bring heat, light, communication, and power to all kinds of new buildings.

And the demand for their expertise is expected to grow. According to BuildForce Canada, the construction industry in Ontario will need more than 15,000 new workers between 2022 and 2027.

Thinking about riding that wave and becoming a construction electrician? Curious about what you'd actually do at work?

In this post, we break down the most typical day-to-day tasks of construction electricians. We also spoke with an experienced Hamilton-based construction electrician to get his take on the career.

Find out what to expect and see if this trade is a good choice for you.

Photo: Electrician apprentice learning from a licensed journeyperson

Updated December 2023

Hoping to become a licensed electrician in Ontario? Your journey begins with getting an electrician apprenticeship.

An electrician apprenticeship combines classroom learning with paid on-the-job training under an experienced journeyperson (licensed electrician).

Apprentices get to "earn while they learn." It's an excellent alternative to other university and college programs, where most students don't get real work experience and end up in debt.

Once you successfully complete your electrician apprenticeship, you can write the certification exam that allows you to become a licensed electrician.

Sounds simple enough, right? Actually, there are a few more things to know about how this whole process works.

How long is the training? What can you expect during your apprenticeship? How do you get hired as an apprentice?

In this post, we answer all those questions and more.

Here's everything you need to know about how electrician apprenticeships work in Ontario.