Orientation & support

Research your trade

Learn what you need to know for your trade by visiting Essential Skills for Ontario's Tradespeople.

Employment Insurance (EI)

Block Release apprentices may be eligible for Employment Insurance Benefits (EI) while attending trade school. Once you have confirmed your enrolment (or seat) a letter will be sent to you from the Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development (MLITSD) providing details on how to apply for employment insurance, including the 16-digit code. Conestoga College does not have access to the 16-digit code. This reference code is required when applying to Service Canada for Employment Insurance Benefits.

Get your ONE Card

You are required to have a Conestoga ONE Card which is your official student identification card. Refer to get your card for information about uploading your photo and how to receive your ONE Card. Please note: You will be able to upload your photo 24 business hours after registration. Your timetable will not be released until your ONE Card photo has been uploaded.

Ordering textbooks

• Physical and digital books can be ordered from the online bookstore with free shipping within Canada.
• Once you receive your timetable for the fall term, log into the bookstore kiosk by entering your student number to see your personalized booklist. Select the items you wish to order, add them to your cart and proceed to check out.
• You can add any required supplies or uniforms to your cart.
  
• Visit the Bookstore's Here to Help Guide for real-time answers to your questions or email bookstore@conestogac.on.ca.
  

Accessing your timetable

Shortly before you begin your program, you will be able to print your timetable from the Student Portal.

Academic skills and student supports

If you are looking to improve your academic skills, or have general questions about Conestoga College student services, you can connect with a Student Success Advisor through the online help form.

Accessible Learning

Please make an appointment with Accessible Learning if you:

• had difficulty learning in high school,
• have an Individual Education Plan (IEP) or any documents confirming a disability or condition, or
• have difficulty with reading or writing.

Accessible Learning helps set-up supports, accommodations and resources that are available to help you succeed in your apprenticeship program. Email accessibility@conestogac.on.ca with questions or to book an appointment.

Questions

Email apprenticeliasion@conestogac.on.ca with general questions about your program.

Here's some important information to help you prepare:

• Download Conestoga's Mobile Safety App.
  
• Two-step (or multi-factor) authentication is required to log in to all of your Conestoga applications. Complete this process 5 days before class starts to avoid login challenges. For more information and IT support, refer to Multi-factor authentication.
  
• It’s essential to regularly visit eConestoga for instructions, schedules, and expectations. Be prepared to log into eConestoga during the scheduled course delivery time where your instructor will outline course expectations, assessment deadlines, attendance and scheduling.
  
• Parking information and updates are available at Parking Services.
  
• Please monitor the college’s COVID-19 Information web pages for updates.

It is very important that you retain your login information for the Student Portal to use the services available, as well as for future registrations. Three weeks prior to your start date you can access: 

• Timetable - Select the Calendar tab, My Timetable subtab
  
• Booklist - Select the Services tab, Bookstore subtab
  
• Enrolment letter - Select the Services tab, Print a Letter subtab
• Verify your final grades - Select the Grades tab
  

Refunds

Contact the Registrar's Office to withdraw by emailing apprentice@conestogac.on.ca or calling 519-748-5220, ext. 3376. 

• Withdrawal prior to the start of classes: Full refund of fees
• Withdrawal by the third day of classes: Full refund of fees less $100
  
• Withdrawal after the third day of classes: No refund

Pathways and credit transfer

Conestoga pathways enable students to build on their academic achievements in order to earn a degree or additional credential. Pathways are formed through agreements between Conestoga programs or partner institutions. View transfer agreement opportunities. 

Often applicants have earned credits from another college or university that may allow a student to be granted advanced standing or exemption. Learn more about credit transfer opportunities at Conestoga.

Exemption testing

Apprentices may challenge the in-school portion of apprenticeship levels from a variety of trade-specific apprenticeship programs depending on their level of expertise and time spent on the job. Non-apprentices can likewise challenge the in-school portion of the program starting first at Level 1. For more information visit Exemption Testing - Apprentices and Non-Apprentices. 

Conestoga College Student Guide

All Conestoga College students and apprentices must abide by the Student Guide. 

Level 3 exam prep

The sooner you write your Certificate of Qualification exam after having completed your in-school training, the higher your chance of success. 

In most trades at Conestoga College, we offer a Certificate of Qualification Exam Prep course for Level 3 apprentices. As of January 1, 2017, the MLITSD has made exam prep courses for block release training in a number of trades mandatory for Level 3 apprentices. Those apprentices who are affected will be notified of the mandatory exam prep course on their Offer of Classroom Training letter from the MLITSD. The MLITSD has determined that there will be an additional fee of $50 per apprentice to cover the cost of the five-day course, which will be included on the Offer of Classroom Training letter. If eligible for employment insurance and other income supports, these benefits will automatically be extended to cover the duration of the exam prep course. 

If you are challenging your Certificate of Qualification exam or have failed your licensing exam you may benefit from the exam prep course. For more information, contact your local Employment Ontario apprenticeship office. 

Incentives and grants

Numerous incentives and grants are available to apprentices. For more information on these incentives contact trades@conestogac.on.ca or Student Recruiters/Employer Liaison. 

Related websites

Are you interested in learning more about pathways into apprenticeship? Visit these related websites about apprenticeship. 

Student awards and recognition

Conestoga's School of Trades & Apprenticeship holds an annual awards ceremony that is supported by our industry partners who distribute more than 200 awards, totalling more than $250,000 each year to students and apprentices in motive power, construction and industrial programs. 

Convocation

Conestoga grants a college certificate to every apprentice who completes all levels of trade school. We encourage every apprentice to celebrate this achievement at either the spring, fall or winter convocation ceremony (dependent on your program completion date).