Samantha  Barrette had zero experience taking apart and repairing appliances when she started the Appliance Service Technician program at Herzing College.

Just eight months later, she landed her dream job as an appliance technician with Trans Global Service. Trans Global is Canada's largest appliance service and installation company, with 300 employees and operations all across the country.

And she got that job even though Trans Global had announced a hiring freeze and wasn't officially looking for new technicians.

We interviewed Samantha last week to find out how she landed such a great position and how things are going in her new job.

We also got her opinion on Herzing's Appliance Service Technician program, what it's like to be a female technician, and her daily life on the job.

Here's what we found out.

Photo: Students in the Appliance Service Technician program at Herzing College Toronto

Updated December 2022

Thinking about a trades career, but haven't seriously considered appliance repair? You’re not alone. This field is often overlooked by people entering the trades.  

Plumbing, electrical, HVAC...they all get plenty of attention and interest. But somehow appliance repair flies under the radar. 

The fact is this industry is really growing fast in Canada. There is a serious shortage of appliance service technicians and strong demand for people with the latest technical skills. 

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 February 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 February 2023

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 November 2022

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 2022

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.

Updated December 2022

Been thinking you should get your gas fitter licence, but dragging your feet on starting training? This post is for you.

First, a bit of background: To legally work as a gas fitter in Ontario, you need a gas technician certification from the Technical Standards and Safety Authority (TSSA). You can start with a G3 level certificate—but a G3 only allows you to work on gas-fired equipment under supervision. To work unsupervised, you need a G2 gas certification.

In this post, we're breaking down all the ways a G3 or G2 licence can seriously improve your job options in the trades. We also include information on how training and certification works, so you'll have everything you need to take the next step.

So let's get started. Here are five very good reasons to get your gas fitter licence...and a little inspiration to get off your couch and into a classroom!