Herzing Skilled Trades

Updated January 2024

Considering a career as a gas fitter, installing and maintaining gas lines, regulators, meters, and appliances?

It's a good time to get into this trade in Ontario. The Government of Canada Job Bank expects steady employment growth for gas fitters in the province over the next few years.

And you can make a good living in this field. According to the Job Bank, Ontario gas fitters earn a median salary of about $62,000. At the high end, they're making more than $79,000.

But if you want to become a gas fitter, you need to earn a licence from the TSSA. Your first step is to understand the certification and licensing process for gas fitters in Ontario. 

We're here to break it down in simple terms. We'll guide you through the different levels of gas fitter licensing (G1, G2, G3), the TSSA exams, and training options for beginners.

Let's dive in.

If you want to become a certified HVAC technician, getting an HVAC apprenticeship is your first step. HVAC technician is a regulated trade in Ontario, so completing an apprenticeship isn't optional.

It's part of a five-year process of classroom training and on-the-job learning that prepares you for certification.

You need a total of 8,280 apprenticeship hours before you can challenge the exam and become a certified journeyperson in the trade. The good news? Apprentices get paid, so you can earn while you learn.

But competing for good HVAC apprenticeship jobs isn't easy. How do you get an edge?

Updated December 2022

If you've landed here, you're considering becoming an HVAC technician and want to explore training options in your area.

By now, you've probably realized there are many HVAC schools in the Toronto area. There are certificates, courses, diplomas, pre-apprenticeship programs, online options, and more.

How do these programs differ? What exactly should you be looking for in a quality HVAC college? 

Good questions. When you consider the time and money you'll need to invest, it's worth doing the research.

Plus, getting a good foundation in training is obviously key to landing a good job (which is the whole point of going to school).

So, in this post we're laying out the seven most important qualities of a good HVAC college. These are the features to notice when you're comparing schools and choosing where to enrol.

No matter which HVAC college you end up choosing, make sure it meets these clear standards of quality and excellence.

Updated January 2024

Want to become a certified gas technician? Your first step is to learn about the TSSA's gas tech certification requirements.

Any tradesperson who works with oil or gas must get licensed to legally operate in Ontario. Obviously, this rule applies to gas technicians. But it also impacts trades like HVAC and appliance repair, which involve installing and servicing fuel-powered units.

So what is the TSSA, and what steps must you go through to meet their certification requirements? What training should you get to prepare for your gas technician exam, and what is the test like?

Here's your quick guide to getting gas tech certified this year.

Quick summary: Find out exactly what plumbing pre-apprenticeship training involves, the main benefits to students, and whether it's truly worth the investment.

If you’re interested in becoming a licensed plumber, you’ve probably done some research on the training and certification process.

Chances are, you've heard about plumbing pre-apprenticeship training and are wondering if it's worth the time and money.

Can't you just go ahead and apply for an apprenticeship without doing any training? 

Sure - but chances are you won't get hired.

Why? Because most companies don't just hire apprentices right off the street, with no background or experience in plumbing whatsoever!

They prefer to hire people who already have some basic plumbing skills and knowledge. In other words, people who have taken a plumber pre-apprenticeship program.

Is this something you should be doing? Here are a few things to consider when making your decision.

Updated January 2024

If you’ve landed on this page you must be considering becoming a gas technician or adding a gas technician certification to your current skillset. 

And like any intelligent person, you’re looking at the training and licensing process and wondering, Is this worth the time and money? 

Is there demand for gas technicians? How tough is the exam? How long does the whole process take? What are the main benefits of getting certified? 

That’s exactly what we’re covering in today’s post. Find out if gas technician training makes sense for you and get helpful info on how to get started. 

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.