Frequently Asked Questions

Search below for specific information, or scroll down further to read questions and answers by topic.

General Apprenticeship Information

1. What do I need to do to be an apprentice?
2. How do I go about obtaining my Grade 12 equivalency?
3. How do I find an employer?
4. Do I have to be a member of the union?
5. If I’m from out of province can I still apply for an apprenticeship in Ontario?

Apprenticeship with IUOE, Local 793

1. How do I submit my application to the Union?
2. How long will it take before I know if I am accepted as a Union apprentice?
3. Are there materials to study before writing the Trade Entrance exam?

Crane Operator Training

1. Do I have to be an apprentice to take a crane course?
2. Can I take this training if I live outside of Ontario?
3. While in training, how much time do we spend operating the crane?
4. Is your training program recognized outside of Ontario?
5. How much do your courses cost? Is there funding available?
6. What certification will I receive at the end of training?
7. What type of equipment will I be trained on?

Heavy Equipment Operator Training

1. Do you offer combination courses on multiple pieces of heavy equipment?
2. How much do your courses cost? Is there funding available?
3. Do I have to be a Union member to take this course?
4. If I take a course through you, do I automatically become a member of Local 793?
5. What type of equipment do you have at the OETIO?
6. If I’m having difficulty can I get extra help?
7. What Certification will I receive at the end of training?
8. What is the work placement ratio of your students?
   
9. What’s the best way to get to Morrisburg?

Morrisburg Residence

1. If staying at the Morrisburg campus, when should I arrive?
   
2. I’m confirmed on course…Where do I go when I arrive? How do you I check in?
   
3. Are smoking rooms available?
   
4. While on course, are my meals supplied for me? What will I be eating?
   
5. What should I bring with me while on course?
   Is internet service available?
   
6. What is there to do in the area during the evenings and on weekends, should I decide to stay on campus?
   
7. May I have overnight guests stay with me in my room at OETIO on the weekend?
   
8. What is the weather like in Morrisburg, Ontario, Canada?
9. How should I dress?

Oakville Campus

1. I’m from out of town, where can I stay during my training?
2. Is the Oakville Campus located on a main transportation route?
   
3. Is parking available?
   
4. Are food services available?

Starting Training

1. What do I need to bring with me to my course?
2. What time do classes start?
   

General Apprenticeship Information

1. What do I need to do to be an apprentice?
   In order to become an apprentice you must first have an employer who is willing to sponsor your apprenticeship. The contract of apprenticeship is between the employer, the apprentice, and the government.
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2. How do I go about obtaining my Grade 12 equivalency?
   You can obtain all the necessary information for this at the Independent Learning Centre—GED Testing site.
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3. How do I find an employer?
   Refer to the yellow pages or Canada 411. Search “excavating” (heavy equipment operations), “crane rental” (mobile crane), or “concrete forming” (tower). Call or visit these employers. You can also contact the local union office (iuoelocal793.org) and www.ontario.ca.
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4. Do I have to be a member of the union?
   No, apprenticeship is a provincial program. The union is one potential employer. For more information regarding an apprenticeship with IUOE, Local 793 contact marketing@oetio.com.
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5. If I’m from out of province can I still apply for an apprenticeship in Ontario?
   No, the apprenticeship is for residents of Ontario. If you live outside of Ontario you should check with your local government prior to registering for any training course.
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Apprenticeship with IUOE, Local 793

1. How do I submit my application to the Union?
   First complete the apprenticeship application package and submit to the local union office. http://www.iuoelocal793.org/contactus.html.
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2. How long will it take before I know if I am accepted as a Union apprentice?
   When you apply you’ll be put on a waiting list. How long will depend on how busy the construction season is, how many apprentices are needed, and on how many other applicants are on the list. It’s recommended that you contact the local office on a monthly basis to let them know that you’re still interested.
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3. Are there materials to study before writing the Trade Entrance exam?
   The trade entrance exam is a basic knowledge test. As such there are no specific materials to study prior to writing the test. We would recommend you brush up on your basic math skills.
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Crane Operator Training

1. Do I have to be an apprentice to take a crane course?
   It depends on the regulations of the local government where you live. For Ontario residents, you must be a registered apprentice to take this course.
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2. Can I take this training if I live outside of Ontario?
   Yes.
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3. While in training, how much time do we spend operating the crane?
   During mobile level 1, you’ll receive 120 hours of practical training operating various types of cranes. During the mobile level 2 course, you’ll receive 160 hours of practical training on various types of cranes. For the tower crane course, you’ll receive 160 hours of practical training on various types of cranes.
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4. Is your training program recognized outside of Ontario?
   Yes, for mobile crane only, in Canada it’s recognized through the Interprovincial Red Seal certification.
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5. How much do your courses cost? Is there funding available?
   All of our courses are priced separately and funding may be available to you. To obtain a quotation or to learn more, please contact us, or call (613) 543-2911.
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6. What certification will I receive at the end of training?
   You will receive an OETIO certificate, in accordance to the Ontario Apprenticeship standard, at the end of your training which provides proof of training of successful completion of the 240 hours of in-school training. This does not give you a government license of competency. Additional on-the-job experience is still required.
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7. What type of equipment will I be trained on?
   Our fleet consists of two tower cranes (Liebherr 63LC-B flat top, Terex-Peiner SN 86-1 luffing jib), five 0-8 ton capacity cranes (2 UNIC, Shuttlelift, Fassi, & Grove Yard Boss), three boom trucks (National 690 E, Manitex 28102 S & National 666B), three hydraulic cranes ( Grove RT 540E, Linkbelt HTC 8640SL & Grove TMS 300), three conventional crawler cranes (Manitowoc 8500, Linkbelt RM118 and P&H 670WLC). Additional equipment is rented when needed.
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Heavy Equipment Operator Training

1. Do you offer combination courses on multiple pieces of heavy equipment?
   No. Our employers tell us they prefer not to jump people from machine to machine until they’ve proven competency on one machine. Don’t fall into the old adage of “Jack of all trades and master of none”.
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2. How much do your courses cost? Is there funding available?
   All of our courses are priced separately and funding may be available to you. To obtain a quotation or to learn more, please contact us , call (613) 543-2911 or download the course pricing list here.
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3. Do I have to be a Union member to take this course?
    No, you do not.
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4. If I take a course through you, do I automatically become a member of Local 793?
   No. For information on joining the union, please visit IUOE, Local 793 or contact us .
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5. What type of equipment do you have at the OETIO?
   Our fleet consists of fourteem 580 Case tractor-loader-backhoes, ten excavators (Case, Catepillar & John Deer), ten dozers (combination of D3 & D5, Catepillar & John Deer), and six 730 Champion graders. Additional equipment is rented when needed.
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6. If I’m having difficulty can I get extra help?
   Yes! Instructors are always available to assist students experiencing difficulty or in need of remedial help.
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7. What Certification will I receive at the end of training?
   You will receive an OETIO certificate, in accordance to the Ontario Apprenticeship standard, at the end of your training that provides proof of training of successful completion of the 240 hours of in-school training.
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8. What is the work placement ratio of your students?
   The OETIO follows up with all students, via phone, within one year of completing training. It’s important to us to know what our students are doing.
   70% are actively working on heavy equipment in the trade and loving it!!!
   10% we couldn’t reach
   10% didn’t make it in the trade (i.e. didn’t like it, went back to old job, etc)
   10% did not successfully complete the course.
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9. What’s the best way to get to Morrisburg?
   The best way to travel to Morrisburg is by car. Although train or bus is available the schedules are quite limited. Train and bus travel to either Brockville or Cornwall. From either destination the taxi ride is approximately ½ hour.
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Morrisburg Residence

1. If staying at the Morrisburg campus, when should I arrive?
   We assume that our students will arrive on Sunday as many are travelling a fair distance. You may check-in any time after 11:00 a.m. and we do have 24 hour security for those checking-in later in the evening.
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2. I’m confirmed on course. Where do I go when I arrive? How do you I check in?
   Report to the Administrative Area and introduce yourself to our security staff. A room will have already been assigned to you. Security will ask for a $20.00 key deposit and your license plate number. They will then assign you your room key and meal card.
   
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3. Are smoking rooms available?
   No. The OETIO is 100% smoke free.
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4. While on course, are my meals supplied for me? What will I be eating?
   The room and board cost includes 3 complete meals per day in our cafeteria. You should notify us, prior to coming on training, of any allergies or dietary restrictions. A la carte cafeteria services are also available for those commuting.
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5. What should I bring with me while on course?
   If you are staying with us on campus, your room is supplied with all required linen (i.e. towels, face clothes, sheets, blankets, pillows) and is changed weekly. Your room also comes equipped with a small desk, a telephone, a television, and a clock radio for your convenience. Please note that fire regulations prohibit you to have a refrigerator or any type of cooking appliances in your room.
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6. Is internet service available?
   We do not currently have internet service in our guest rooms. There is a computer with internet access in a common area for use by students while on training.
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7. What is there to do in the area during the evenings and on weekends, should I decide to stay on campus?
   We have a modest workout area and some equipment for sports activities on campus.  You might want to check out www.cornwalltourism.com or www.southdundas.com
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8. May I have overnight guests stay with me in my room at OETIO on the weekend?
   If prior arrangements have been made with the front desk, you may have a guest stay with you.
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9. What is the weather like in Morrisburg, Ontario, Canada? How should I dress?
   For those coming from other countries where you enjoy a warmer climate, you will want to bring warmer clothing with you. Our weather in September through November may be in the 15 - 25 degree Celsius range, while in December to March may fall to 0 to -30 degrees Celsius. You should be prepared for any sudden change in temperature.
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Oakville Campus

1. I’m from out of town, where can I stay during my training?
   You are responsible for your own living arrangements. When you are confirmed on course, you’ll receive a copy of the student handbook. In the handbook is a list of some hotels in the area that offer discount rates for students training at the OETIO.
   
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2. Is the Oakville Campus located on a main transportation route?
   Yes, the “GO” Train is located at Bronte, a 15-20 minute walk from the campus.
   
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3. Is parking available?
   Ample free parking is available
   
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4. Are food services available?
   Lunch is provided daily for full time students. Students may also purchase from the “coffee truck” that comes to the site twice a day.
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Starting Training

1. What do I need to bring with me to my course?
   You are required to provide your own CSA-approved safety boots, safety glasses, and work gloves. Optional items to include are coveralls and work clothes suitable for season. All other supplemental course materials are included in the cost of your course.
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2. What time do classes start?
   Morrisburg:Classes run Monday through Friday, from 8:00 a.m. until 4:00 p.m. each day. Students meet in cafeteria on first day.
   Oakville: Classes run Monday through Friday, from 7:30 a.m. until 3:30 p.m each day. Students meet in the Multi Purpose room on the first day.
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