How to sponsor and register an apprentice

Since 2 April 2025, Skilled Trades Ontario approves sponsors, registers Training Agreements and issues Certificates of Apprenticeship. Every step below goes through Skilled Trades Ontario, most of it on its digital portal.

Step 1: Sign a Sponsor Agreement and get a Sponsor ID

If your agency has never sponsored an apprentice in Ontario, it must be approved by Skilled Trades Ontario before it can enter into a Training Agreement. Once your Sponsor Agreement is signed and approved you receive a Sponsor ID, which you need to register any Training Agreement.

The fastest way is to complete the Sponsor Agreement on the portal. You can also download it and submit it by email or mail. For secure email instructions call 647-847-3000 or, toll-free in Ontario, 1-855-299-0028, Monday to Friday, 7am to 7pm. By mail: Skilled Trades Ontario, PO Box 2354 RPO SQ1 Shoppers, Mississauga ON L5B 3C8.

Step 2: Support your employee to apply

Once you have chosen an apprentice, they submit an Application for Apprenticeship Training on the portal, entering their details and yours. Applicants aged 16 or 17 use the paper form instead, signed by a parent or guardian. Skilled Trades Ontario reviews it and notifies you both when it is approved. The portal is the quickest route for both the Sponsor Agreement and the application.

Step 3: Sign the Training Agreement

Once the application is approved, you and the apprentice complete a Training Agreement and Skilled Trades Ontario registers it. The agreement sets out the responsibilities of both of you, including compliance with the Building Opportunities in the Skilled Trades Act, 2021. Once it is registered, the sponsor and the apprentice may qualify for supports, each with its own rules. See the cost pages for both.

Step 4: Deliver the training

As sponsor you are responsible for making sure the apprentice is trained to the program set by Skilled Trades Ontario. The Apprenticeship Training Standard logbook sets out the on-the-job requirements.

• Review the Training Standard regularly with the apprentice and sign off skills as they are demonstrated. In practice, the trainer is often the apprentice's direct supervisor.
• Keep Skilled Trades Ontario informed of any change to your business information or to the Registered Training Agreement, including the apprentice leaving your employment.
• Make sure the apprentice has time to attend in-class training. Plan the timing early and encourage them to register well in advance, because classes fill quickly.

Step 5: Confirm completion

When the apprentice has finished all on-the-job and in-class training:

1. Confirm the records are complete: the logbook is signed off and the apprentice has their Notice of completion of schooling requirements.
2. Download the Apprenticeship Completion Form. Both sponsor and apprentice sign it. Submit it by email or mail using the contact details in Step 1. You may be asked for supporting documentation.
3. Skilled Trades Ontario reviews the form.
4. Once approved, Skilled Trades Ontario mails the apprentice their Certificate of Apprenticeship.

Ending an agreement early

To end a Registered Training Agreement before completion, submit an Application to Terminate a Registered Training Agreement to Skilled Trades Ontario, using the same contact details.