Skilled Trades Recruitment
Skilled trades recruitment for Ontario employers — electricians, welders, millwrights, HVAC technicians, mechanics and machinists — with certification checks through Skilled Trades Ontario.
Roles we recruit for
- Electricians
- Welders
- Industrial mechanics (millwrights)
- HVAC and refrigeration technicians
- Plumbers and pipefitters
- Automotive service technicians
- Heavy-duty equipment technicians
- CNC machinists
- Sheet metal workers
- Maintenance electricians
Who we recruit
We recruit certified journeypersons, experienced tradespeople and apprentices for manufacturers, contractors, facility operators, dealerships and service companies.
Certification in Ontario
Ontario divides trades into compulsory trades, where you must hold a Certificate of Qualification or be a registered apprentice to work, and voluntary trades, where certification is optional but valued. Skilled Trades Ontario issues certificates, and a Red Seal endorsement lets tradespeople work in other provinces.
Internationally trained tradespeople can apply to Skilled Trades Ontario for a trade equivalency assessment and, if approved, write the certification exam. We review each candidate's documents and experience against your trade before you interview them.
Canadian and international sourcing
Experienced tradespeople are often paid at or above Ontario's high-wage threshold ($36.92 an hour from July 17, 2026), which means the high-wage LMIA stream and a transition plan. Tradespeople hired from abroad may later qualify for permanent residence through programs such as the Federal Skilled Trades Program. We plan the LMIA, the work permit and the candidate's certification together.
Where we recruit
We fill trades roles across the Greater Toronto Area and Southern and Northern Ontario, and in other provinces for national employers.
How we work with employers
- 01
Workforce brief
We learn the roles, headcount, wages, shifts, location and start dates, and the licences or certificates each role requires.
- 02
Sourcing plan
We decide where to look — local talent, other provinces or international candidates — and whether an LMIA or an LMIA-exempt route is realistic for each role.
- 03
Screening
Structured interviews, reference checks and verification of credentials, licences and work eligibility before you meet anyone.
- 04
Shortlist and offer
You interview a shortlist of qualified candidates. We help with the offer and, for international hires, the immigration steps.
- 05
Arrival and onboarding
We coordinate start dates, arrival and onboarding, and check in after the worker starts.
Frequently asked questions
Can a foreign tradesperson work in a compulsory trade right away?
Not without Ontario certification. They need a Certificate of Qualification — usually after a trade equivalency assessment and exam — or must work as a registered apprentice.
Which trades are compulsory in Ontario?
Examples include electrician (construction and maintenance), plumber, refrigeration and air conditioning systems mechanic, and sheet metal worker. Skilled Trades Ontario publishes the full list.
Do you recruit apprentices?
Yes. We recruit registered apprentices as well as certified journeypersons.
Last checked against official Government of Canada and Ontario sources in October 2026. This page is general information, not legal advice.