Apprenticeship is a training agreement between a person who wants to learn a skill and an employer who needs a skilled worker. To become a certified tradesperson it requires a combination of on-the-job and in-school training. On the job, apprentices learn skill and competencies by completing various operations associated with the trade under the supervision of a qualified tradesperson. This process takes from 2 to 5 years depending on the occupation, but the apprentice is "earning while learning". In school, apprentices learn the theoretical aspects of all phases of the trade and apply this theory to complete practical assignments. Upon successful completion of both on-the-job competencies and the in-school training, apprentices will be awarded a Certificate of Apprenticeship and, where required, write the Certificate of Qualification Examination to become a certified journeyperson.

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