On-the-Job Training

On–the-job training enables you to learn a trade, develop your skills and become qualified while you work. Depending on which trade you choose, several different approaches are available.

Advantages of on-the-job training

On-the-job training has several advantages. In particular, it enables people to acquire quality training while practising a trade, raise their level of knowledge and competence and promote their trade and their role in a company.

With this type of training, apprentices can become more versatile and increase their chances of career advancement. In addition, they can potentially obtain official recognition of their skills (certificate of qualification and attestation of competency).

Depending on the trade they choose, apprentices may be eligible for federal government grants (Apprenticeship Incentive Grant This hyperlink will open in a new window. and Apprenticeship Completion Grant This hyperlink will open in a new window.).

The Workplace Apprenticeship Program

The Workplace Apprenticeship Program (PAMT) is the approach most commonly applied in on-the-job training initiatives. This program is designed for voluntary-qualification trades This hyperlink will open in a new window., i.e., trades that are not subject to a specific government regulation.

The program is based on the journeyperson system. Journeypersons are experienced workers who pass their know-how and skills on to apprentices, i.e., co-workers who have yet to acquire or have only limited skills in the trade they would like to practise.

The skills the apprentice needs to master are specified in an apprenticeship booklet provided at the start of the training. Details about the apprentice's progress are recorded in the booklet.

Other on-the-job-training training strategies

The Workplace Apprenticeship Program is not adapted to all work situations. Therefore, other approaches are available:

  • Online training
  • Practical training workshops
  • Mentoring
  • Case studies
  • Simulation exercises