Changes to the delivery of apprenticeship and certifying exam services

What’s changing on April 2, 2025

Skilled Trades Ontario will take on the following administrative responsibilities that have been historically performed by the Ministry:

• Registering apprenticeship training agreements and authorizing sponsors.
• Administering certifying exams through Prometric Canada Testing Services, a third-party exam provider.
• Issuing Certificates of Apprenticeship upon program completion.

How services will be delivered

• Centralized services – Skilled Trades Ontario will handle all client service functions centrally, including apprentice registration and completion. This will ensure efficiency and consistency for apprentices and sponsors.
• Certifying exams – A third-party provider (Prometric Canada Testing Services) will handle exam administration. Exams will be scheduled centrally and written at approved regional test centres and designated off-site locations.

Responsibilities remaining with MLITSD on April 2, 2025

Some responsibilities will stay with the Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development (MLITSD), from April 2, 2025, onward including:

• Administration of the Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program (OYAP) and Pre-Apprenticeship Training Program.
• Administration of in-school training and funding for training delivery partners.
• Financial administration for apprenticeship-related grants and support programs

What to expect until April 2, 2025

No immediate changes – services will continue as usual.

• Apprentices and sponsors will:
  • Apply for apprenticeship programs and register training agreements through the STO Portal.
  • Work with MLITSD for registration and apprenticeship support.
  • Schedule certifying exams through Employment Ontario Apprenticeship Offices
• MLITSD will continue to:
  • Oversee certifying exams.
  • Review program completion requests and issue Certificates of Apprenticeship

After April 2, the registration and management of apprenticeship information will still be accessible through the STO Portal.

Certifying exams – what you need to know

• Eligible exam candidates will be notified by Skilled Trades Ontario when they can schedule their exams (for dates on or after April 2, 2025) with Prometric Canada Testing Services, Skilled Trades Ontario’s exam provider. Details about exam scheduling are also available on the exam scheduling page of Skilled Trades Ontario’s website.
• Exam testing locations will include:
  • Greater Toronto Area (4 locations: 3 in Toronto, 1 in Mississauga)
  • London
  • Hamilton
  • Ottawa
  • Barrie
  • Sudbury
  • Thunder Bay

Additional exam satellite sites are being explored, and more information will be provided as it becomes available.

Training Delivery Agents (TDAs), large sponsors and employers

• Starting April 2, 2025 Skilled Trades Ontario will be the first point of contact for all clients with schooling-related questions. However, in-school training – including TDA approvals, seat planning and seat management – will still be administered by MLITSD. Class invitations will continue to come from the MLITSD to apprentices.
• TDAs will continue using the EOIS-APPR system for enrolling and tracking student progress.
• Skilled Trades Ontario plans to continue the offsite exam administration pilot initiated by MLITSD, and an expansion of the pilot is being considered. More information will be shared as it becomes available.

Contact us

For questions about changes to the delivery of apprenticeship and certifying exam services, email us at info@skilledtradesontario.ca.