Apprenticeship & Courses
Hands-on training for people who learn by doing
Whether it’s in the workplace or in the classroom, the skills gained through our training programs lead members to careers in an industry that provides many opportunities. With the combination of up-to-date industry knowledge, cutting-edge training facilities, and outstanding instructors, Local 1059’s apprentices and members are among the most professional and employable in the industry.
The Pre-apprentice Screening Program Browse Member Courses Learn more about our Apprenticeships
Pre-apprentice screening program
The screening process includes an application, 45-minute physical and hands-on interview involving our training director, in conjunction with the local business representatives.
How are you rated?
Applicants are rated on a scale of one to ten in areas including: Preparedness, Math, Communication Skills, Construction Skills, General Attitude, and Physical Ability. Applicants are then given an overall rating between one and ten.
Requirements to pass
Only those with a rating of eight or higher are considered for membership and/or apprenticeship programs.
12 week pre-apprentice program
Once accepted, recruits enter the Construction Craft Worker (CCW) Pre-Apprenticeship which teaches participants the entry-level skills needed to apprentice as a CCW.
90 Day Probationary work period
Upon successful completion of the program and availability of work, participants are placed with an employer on a paid probationary work period in one of the following sectors: Curb, Gutters and Sidewalk; Sewer and Watermain; Utility Distribution; High Rise and Low Rise Forming; Industrial, Commercial and Institutional; or Masonry.
Become a registered member and apprentice
After a successful probationary work period, participants pay an initiation fee to become members of Local 1059 and are registered as apprentices with the Local Apprenticeship Committee and the Ministry of Advanced Education and Skills Development.
What a CCW does
A Construction Craft Worker is involved in site preparation, clean-up, material handling, excavation, backfill/compaction and dismantling on and around buildings, structures or premises. The CCW may also be involved in formsetting and stripping, concrete placing and finishing, pipelaying, and mason tendering.
About the apprenticeship
The CCW Apprenticeship Program is similar to other apprenticeships in that the apprentice attends two eight-week in-school sessions between two to three periods of paid work experience, each lasting approximately 10 months. The apprentice keeps a logbook outlining competencies learned on the job.
Courses taught
The in-school apprenticeship program is the same one used at all other approved TDAs across Ontario and is approved by the MTCU. Courses taught in the 16-week program include:
- Construction Safety I & II
- Blueprints and Specifications I & II
- Construction Tools I & II
- Equipment Handling Practices and Procedures I & II
- Rigging, Hoisting and Material Handling I & II
- Introduction to Formwork I & II
- Introduction to Concrete I & II
- Introduction to Scaffolding I & II
- Earthwork, Barriers and Controls I & II
Specializations
CCW apprentices specialize in one of the following sectors:
- Curb, Gutters and Sidewalk (Formsetter, Cement Finisher)
- Sewer and Watermain (Pipelayer)
- High Rise and Low Rise Forming (Formsetter)
- Industrial, Commercial and Institutional
- Masonry (Tender, Forklift)
- Utility Distribution
When
CCW in-school sessions are scheduled by the MTCU. All courses take place between December and May of each year.
Requirements for certification
CCW apprentices are awarded the Certificate of Qualification by the MTCU when they have achieved the following:
- Successful completion of the two eight-week in-school sessions
- Successful completion of on-the-job training (2,400 hours)
- Logbook filled out
- Local Apprenticeship Committee signs off, confirming apprentice has met all requirements
- Successful completion of the provincial examination (70% pass)
- Notification by the apprentice to the MTCU that all requirements have been met, with documentation to prove this
What a CF does
A Cement Finisher (CF) places, levels, finishes and cures concrete. CFs must be able to cut, repair, and re-surface concrete, work with specialty concrete, and create architectural finishes. Local 1059 members working in the Curb, Gutter and Sidewalk sector are trained as Cement Finishers.
About the apprenticeship
The CF Apprenticeship Program is similar to other apprenticeships in that the apprentice attends two eight-week in-school sessions between two to three periods of paid work experience lasting approximately ten months each. The apprentice keeps a logbook outlining competencies learned on the job.
Courses taught
The in-school apprenticeship program is the same one used at all other approved TDAs across Ontario and is approved by the MTCU. Courses taught in the 16-week program include:
- History and Scope of the Cement (Concrete) Finisher Trades
- Communications and Presentation
- Trade Calculations and Quantities
- Blueprints, Specifications and Layout
- Construction Safety
- Hand Tools
- Power Tools and Equipment
- Concrete Technology
- Site Preparation
- Place and Level Concrete
- Finish Concrete
- Concrete Curing and Protection
- Cut Concrete
- Repair and Resurface
- Specialty Concrete
- Architectural Finisher
- Introduction to Epoxy Systems
When
CF in-school sessions are scheduled by the MTCU. All courses take place between December and the beginning of March each year.
Requirements for certification
CF apprentices are awarded the Certificate of Apprenticeship by the MTCU when they have achieved the following:
- Successful completion of the two eight-week in-school sessions
- Successful completion of on-the-job training (4,000 hours)
- Logbook filled out
- Local Apprenticeship Committee signs off, confirming apprentice has met all requirements
- Notification by the apprentice to the MTCU that all requirements have been met, with documentation to prove this
CF apprentices are awarded the Certificate of Qualification by the MTCU by challenging and achieving a minimum score of 70 on the Provincial Red Seal exam for the CF trade.
We also offer a Hazardous Material Worker Apprenticeship Program (HMW 253H), which lasts 4 weeks.
LIUNA Apprenticeship Training Regulations
This program is funded in part by the Government of Canada and the Government of Ontario.
Safety and Skills Upgrading Courses
The continuing education of our members is a priority for Local 1059, as evidenced by the full array of programs we offer. The more skills our members are able to acquire, the more they will see employment opportunities becoming available to them. Members are urged to contact our office to learn more about signing up for one of these courses.