​​​​​Message​ from the Executive Dean 

Welcome to the School of Trades & Apprenticeship and thank you for choosing Conestoga for your post-secondary education in skilled trades.

Conestoga offers a comprehensive array of programs in the Construction, Motive Power, Industrial and Service sectors to suit your interests and career aspirations.  Our established partnerships with many successful local, national and international companies, result in program enhancements and significant career opportunities for our students.

We deliver current and relevant skills-based education and training ensuring our students and graduates the opportunity for successful careers in the skilled trades. This year we are proud to add the brand new Conestoga Skilled Trades Center (CSTC) on Reuter Drive in Cambridge to our list of trades' campuses in Kitchener, Waterloo, Cambridge, Guelph and Brantford, and the training facility in Ingersoll.

I encourage you to take full advantage of the learning opportunities and resources available.

Sincerely,

Tony Thoma, MBA, PEng
Executive Dean

Message from the Dean

​Welcome to Conestoga College and the School of Trades and Apprenticeship. I am happy that you are pursuing an education in the skilled trades. It can lead to a very rewarding career with endless possibilities. 

We want to ensure that your time at Conestoga provides you with the training you need to be successful. Please ensure that you make yourself aware of the many supports that are available for you at the college, and if you have questions, please don't hesitate to ask. 

I wish you success in your academic year. 

Support Services

Accessibility/Academic Support

Various Campuses
519-748-5220 ext. 2154
apprenticeliaison@conestogac.on.ca

Technical Support

IT Service Desk
Main Desk - Room 1E12 - Doon Campus / Various Campuses
519-748-5220 ext. 3444
itsdesk@conestogac.on.ca

Ministry of Labour, Training and Skills Development (MLTSD)

Apprenticeship Office
4275 King St E, Suite 200, Kitchener ON   N2P 2E9
800-387-5656
kitchener.apprenticeship@ontario.ca

Service Canada

Employment Insurance
800-206-7218
www.servicecanada.gc.ca

For additional financial and other supports for apprentices and employers, students should visit Conestoga College’s website.

Program Curriculum Sequence

Apprentices are placed on a waitlist for school based on their 'Program Start Date' with the Ministry of Labour, Training and Skills Development (MLTSD). When it is the apprentice's turn to go to school, MLTSD is responsible for sending the "Offer of Classroom Training" to each apprentice approximately 90 days prior to the start date of class. Conestoga College does not control when an apprentice is sent an "Offer of Classroom Training". In addition, the apprentice must be a member in good standing throughout their apprenticeship in order to remain eligible to receive an "Offer of Classroom Training". MLTSD is also responsible for sending the Employment Insurance (EI) reference code directly to block release apprentices.

Apprentices are required to track their on-the-job progress in an "Apprenticeship Training Standard". Please note that faculty and staff at Conestoga College are not permitted to sign off any skills in the training standard.

Current Program Design

Students can find their program design on the Student Portal by following the steps below:

1. Log in to the Student Portal
   
2. Click on 'My Courses' tab
3. Select 'View Progress Report' button
   

Courses are listed by level/semester. Students can also view courses for the most current program design for this academic year on the Conestoga College website.  Students can view the courses by going to the program page and then clicking on the "Courses" tab. 

Academic Assistance

​​​Academic Standing and Promotion Requirements – Program Standard

If for any reason a student is concerned about their academic progress, they should arrange to meet with a full-time faculty member or the program coordinator.

Students must achieve a minimum passing grade of 70% in each and every course. Failure or withdrawal from any course will result in the student not being eligible for the next level.

Common Academic Decisions

At the end of each level, the program team reviews students' grades. Below are the most common academic decisions issued by the program team:

Eligible to Continue

Students who pass all reportable subjects (courses) are eligible to continue in the program.

Decisions (Pending)

Students who have not successfully completed all of the required courses for the level may be eligible to complete work or write a supplemental assessment in order to complete the requirements of the level. 

Supplemental Assessment: Supplemental Assessment: Students who have failed a course may request a supplemental assessment (a "make-up"). Only one supplemental assessment will be permitted per level. Supplementals will be granted and written at the end of the intake.  Students who fail more than one course in a level are advised to meet with their program coordinator to discuss options including possibly retaking the course(s) or retaking the entire level.  It is the student's responsibility to check the grade postings and contact the faculty to arrange a supplemental. It is not the responsibility of the professor to contact the student and offer a supplemental. Supplemental assessments may be approved by the program team, if the course is supplemental-eligible.  Course eligibility for supplemental assessment is listed on the course outline. The following academic criteria must be met by the student:

1. Failed course (F grade) was within 10 marks (10 percentage points – 60% to 69%) of the required passing grade of 70%.
   
2. Attended 80% or more of the specific course.
   
3. No registered academic offence in the course in which the supplemental is being requested. (Warnings do not constitute an academic offence.)
   

The test must be completed within three weeks from the end of the level. To register for a supplemental, the student must meet with the applicable faculty and complete a Supplemental Request Form located on the Student Portal​ and submit the appropriate non-refundable fee ($40.00) to the Registrar's Office. The student must provide proof of fee payment at the time of the supplemental exam.

Failure in the supplemental will result in no change to the original course grade. Successful completion of the supplemental evaluation will result in the minimum passing grade of 70% being awarded. The final grade as a result of the supplemental will be automatic and is ineligible for appeal.

For more information visit the College Policies, Procedures, Practices and Guidelines webpage then click on the Academic Administration side tab and search for the document entitled Clearance of Academic Deficiency. 

Discontinuance and Withdrawals

Students may be discontinued from the in-school training for a number of reasons such as poor attendance, misconduct, or inability to meet minimum academic requirements.

Students who wish to withdraw from their in-school training should first speak with the Program Coordinator. If the decision is made to withdraw, students must officially withdraw from their program in writing by completing the Withdrawal Form located on the Student Portal. Students who do not officially withdraw are still liable for outstanding fees and may not be eligible for a refund. Non-attendance does not constitute official withdrawal and academic records may reflect failures.

Retaking Failed Courses

If a student has failed one or more courses within a single level of their apprenticeship program, there may be the opportunity for that student to re-take just the failed course(s) and not the entire level. If a student would like to be considered for an individual course make-up, they must speak with their program coordinator. The program coordinator, in consultation with the program chair and MLTSD, will determine whether the student can retake the failed course(s) or must retake the entire level. In both cases, the standard classroom fee for apprentices will apply.

Readmission

Readmission to this program will not be available, due to single special funded delivery.

​Attendance - Program Standard

MLTSD and Conestoga College expect that all students maintain 100% attendance in their in-school training. 

In the case of unforeseen circumstances that result in late arrival or early departure, whenever possible, students are expected to communicate this in advance with their faculty. Otherwise, students who arrive late for a scheduled class may be counted as absent immediately after the start of the class. Students who leave early, prior to the dismissal time, may also be counted as absent.

The School of Trades and Apprenticeship uses a 'flag' system to track unauthorized absences. As a result, attendance issues may be flagged during the program. The first missed day will result in a warning. The second missed day will result in a 'blue flag' being issued. The third missed day will result in a 'red flag' being issued. Through this process, meetings will take place between the student and program coordinator and/or chair. Consultations may occur with MLTSD and the student runs the risk of being ineligible for supplemental assessment opportunities due to poor attendance as well as possible discontinuance from the program. A 'day' is determined by the number of equivalent class hours missed, normally set at six hours. An accumulation of class hours missed over a number of weeks will equate to a day missed.

This program standard applies to both on-line and in-person classes.

Awards – College Application Procedure

Since apprenticeship students are not considered full-time for an entire academic year they are not eligible to apply for most College-wide awards, scholarships or bursaries. However, students who are interested in awards may contact the Financial Aid and Student Awards office for more information.

School of Trades and Apprenticeship Awards – Program Specific

Every year, the School of Trades and Apprenticeship hosts an awards ceremony in the Spring where over $250,000 worth of monetary and product prizes are awarded to deserving students. Students are to speak with faculty for more information on possible apprenticeship-related awards.

Co-Curricular Portal

Activities within Conestoga's Co-Curricular Portal (CCP) enhance students' growth and development outside the classroom. The Co-Curricular Record is an official document, complementary to an academic transcript, which recognizes and records learning that has been achieved through approved co-curricular experiences at Conestoga College.

Student Feedback

​Student feedback is an essential component of our continuous improvement process. Our opportunities for student feedback include:

Key Performance Indicators

All college programs in the province are evaluated using Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) through the Ministry of Colleges and Universities (MCU). This survey is conducted each academic year in select classes. Strategic goals to improve the programs are developed from these results. This data and other data specific to the campus and the program/school are collected so that Conestoga College can continually improve quality.

Student Appraisal of Teaching (SAT)

The Student Appraisal of Teaching (SAT) allows direct feedback from students on teaching for a particular course. Completion of the SAT form gives teachers and academic managers valuable information to use for the improvement of teaching at Conestoga.

 The SAT process is managed by the Office of Institutional Research and Planning using an online survey system specifically designed for course/teacher evaluations. After all marks for the semester have been submitted, a summary of results goes to the academic manager to be shared with the faculty member. 

Classrooms, Computer Labs and Shop Access

Generally, no food is permitted in any classroom, computer lab or shop. In some areas, and at the discretion of faculty, beverages may be permitted in unbreakable, re-sealable containers; however, they must be kept away from any computers or other sensitive equipment.

Access to shops and use of equipment outside of regularly scheduled class times is not permitted without written permission from the faculty and the presence of either the faculty or technologist. For safety reasons, it is recommended that a minimum of 3 people be present at all times. 

Basic Safety

Students are required to sign a Conestoga College Institute of Technology and Advanced Learning (CCITAL) Acknowledgment of Safety Training and Responsibilities Form (if applicable to program), which will be provided by the faculty at the start of the program.

In situations where an individual's behavior, whether or not it is suspected to be the result of substance use, is deemed to pose a risk to their own safety or the safety of others, the individual's faculty member or supervisor has the right to limit participation in academic or workplace activities.  

Conestoga's Substance Use Guidelines were developed to ensure that the college is in compliance with provincial and federal legislation regulating the use of both legal and illegal substances.

The college recognizes the risks associated with substance use and is committed to providing education on harm-reductive use and prevention as well as individualized support for members of our college community. 

Machine Operation and Safety

Machine operation and safety requirements will be provided by the faculty responsible for the delivery of each course, as necessary. Students will sign-off after they have received safety training relevant to the machinery in use. Students must not use any equipment for which they have not received training or which they do not feel comfortable using.

A student who does not follow appropriate safety measures and puts themself and/or others at risk, may be asked to leave the shop by the faculty, technologist or staff. It will be the student's responsibility to make up for the content missed while away from the shop.