The principles of heating and cooling remain the same in any setting, but there can be significant differences in residential vs commercial HVAC jobs. It’s not only about the type of building—system complexity, required skills, and working conditions are just a few of the elements that set these two environments apart.

Trying to decide which one is right for you?

Keep reading to learn what differentiates commercial vs residential HVAC work, what skills you need in each setting, and what pros and cons come with pursuing each path.

Many people have a vague notion that skilled trades equals construction workers, but the reality is this field is much broader. The sector includes those who do everything from building houses and maintaining machinery to cutting hair and preparing food.

So what are skilled trades? They’re jobs that involve hands-on work and require specialized skills, usually gained through a trade school program, an apprenticeship, or both.

And there are plenty of such jobs available. According to a report from the Canadian Apprenticeship Forum, Canada will need more than 160,000 new tradespeople between 2021 and 2025.

In this post, we describe some common careers in the skilled trades, explain which ones have the strongest demand, and provide everything you need to know about how to get started in one of these exciting career paths.

Class in session at Herzing College Skilled Trades in Toronto

Have you been thinking about learning a skilled trade? Maybe have your eye on electrician, plumber, HVAC or gas tech training?

We've all heard that tradespeople are in high demand across Canada—but that alone shouldn't send you running to enrol in a pre-apprenticeship program.

The difference between residential and commercial plumbing is always a hot topic for debate—after all, pipes are pipes, right? Well, not exactly.

While it's true that commercial and residential work do share certain attributes, there are key elements that set these work environments apart for plumbers.

In this post, we look at some of those elements, as well as the distinct challenges plumbers face in residential versus commercial settings. Here are six differences between these two plumber career paths.

Household appliances bring our lives such comfort and convenience, it's hard to imagine a world without them.

Most of the self-contained electric and gas-powered appliances that we rely on each day were invented in just the last century. They have done wonders to increase our recreation time and make our lives so much easier.

Updated December 2022

Checking out your options for a career in the skilled trades? Considering HVAC, but not exactly sure what all is involved?

HVAC technicians and mechanics are service experts who work with heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems. They install and calibrate units, repair and replace parts, carry out inspections, and conduct safety testing. They work in residential, commercial, and industrial settings.

Sound interesting? Of course, every job has its upsides and downsides. Before you go ahead and sign up for HVAC training, you need a solid understanding of the main benefits and drawbacks to choosing this trade. 

Updated January 2023

If you’re considering studying a trade or completing an apprenticeship, you may be thinking ahead to getting the Red Seal endorsement.

Once you become a certified journeyperson, you can pursue Red Seal certification by taking the interprovincial exam. Successful candidates earn a Red Seal endorsement on their certificates of qualification and apprenticeship, proving their skill level in a particular trade.

But what is the value of this endorsement? How can it help your career? And is it worth the extra effort?

Let’s dive into the details.

Updated December 2022

Thinking of beginning electrician courses? Getting ready to upgrade your skills or switch career paths?

Your first step will likely be a pre-apprenticeship program, where you'll learn the theory and practical skills needed to excel in an electrician apprenticeship.

An important part of that training will be learning how electrical systems actually work, how to perform troubleshooting and maintenance, and how to stay safe when carrying out installations and repairs.

Get a head start by testing yourself on these seven very common electricity myths. Which of these misconceptions have you bought into over the years?

Imagine life without your fridge, microwave, oven, or washing machine. Most of us could barely last a single day without these conveniences—even though modern versions have only been around for the past 50 to 60 years.

In a relatively short amount of time, we've become totally dependent on our home appliances. But that's great news for appliance technicians, who are always in demand for installation and servicing. And it's definitely a positive trend for anyone considering appliance repair training.

Want a little preview of the kinds of issues you'll face on the job and learn about during appliance training?

Here's a roundup of the home appliances that always seem to need servicing, how they break down, and what you'll check first.