Important Facts About Skilled Trades At OPG

• About 50 per cent of the employees at OPG work in Skilled Trades positions.
• Skilled Trades people are vital to OPG because they ensure generating stations across the province run smoothly, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
• Skilled Trades people put in a 40-hour work week in a unionized environment, with most being represented by the Power Workers' Union.
• Specific job postings indicate whether shift work is required.
• Nuclear is a Skilled Trades area that is growing rapidly.
• Safety is of the utmost importance in all Skilled Trades positions.
• All hours worked are applicable towards an Apprenticeship Certification. See  How To Obtain Your Certificate Of Qualification for more information.

See What To Expect for the most frequently recruited Skilled Trades positions.

Recruiting Timeframes

Most new graduate positions in Skilled Trades are posted in January and February. However, there are often postings throughout the year, depending on the current needs of particular business units. For specific timing details on these positions for new graduates, please see the Application Process section.

What To Expect

Watch our video to get a better sense of the work environment and culture at OPG. For specifics on each position, refer to the links below.

Want The Specifics?

All Skilled Trades new graduates are hired as Skilled Trades Trainees. For specifics on the training you will receive once you have been hired at OPG, refer to the following links for each position.

• Electrical & Control Technician – Nuclear/Hydroelectric/Fossil
• Thermal Operator – Thermal
• Inspection & Maintenance Technician – Nuclear
• Mechanical Technician – Nuclear/Hydroelectric/Fossil
• Nuclear Operator – Nuclear
• Radiation Protection Technician – Nuclear

Are You The Right Fit?

We are looking for enthusiastic, dedicated people who:

• place safety as a priority;
• are team players;
• seek opportunities to grow and develop;
• want to put their energy to good use and make a valuable contribution in providing a vital Ontario resource;
• enjoy being challenged; and
• are self-motivated and enjoy working in a quality control-driven environment.

How To Obtain Your Certificate Of Qualification

There are currently two different ways to complete a Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities Certificate of Qualification (C of Q) for most trades qualifications in Ontario.

1. The first way is to register with the Ministry with a sponsor (employer) and complete three separate tasks:
   • Complete Working Hour Guideline – usually 8,000 hours or four to five years;
   • Get Task Book signed off – book with specific job-related tasks; and
   • Complete Basic, Intermediate, and Advanced levels from a Ministry-approved school – each course is eight to 10 weeks in length (block release), however, these courses can be offered on a day release (one day per week) to minimize impacts at work. An apprentice can also choose to challenge the exemption exams. If you challenge the exam and fail, you are required to take the Ministry training course at the level determined by your exam results.

   Once these tasks are complete, the Ministry will issue a Certificate of Apprenticeship (C of A) and you are then eligible to challenge the C of Q final provincial exam.

   Note: Some colleges in Ontario have Ministry approval status of their technician programs and the students will be exempt from some or all of the levels of schooling by completing their diploma. Not all schools can offer this.

2. The second way to get a C of Q is to work the required amount of hours, which is usually around 8,000 hours, but varies by trade. This work has to be documented and the company will usually be required to write a letter to the Ministry indicating the person has been working in the designated trade. The person does not automatically get the Certificate of Apprenticeship – but is then eligible to write the provincial exam. There is a pre-exam course offered at certain colleges to help people prepare for the exam.