CTN’s Paid Placement Program

Finding your path shouldn’t put you in debt.

Red graphics of a wrench, screwdriver, and gear with the text 'Set Up Your Business' in bold red 3D letters.

Set Up Your Business

  • t the Canadian Trades Network, every worker operates as an independent business — giving each member true ownership of their career. This approach allows you to control your income, manage your taxes, and take advantage of business deductions for your tools, transportation, and training. Instead of relying on payroll systems that limit your flexibility, you gain the financial freedom to earn more and invest directly into your own growth. By running your own business, you begin to understand the real-world fundamentals of entrepreneurship — learning how to manage time, expenses, and professional responsibility while getting paid for hands-on work.

  • Getting started with the Canadian Trades Network is quick and straightforward. Most workers can register their own business and begin taking placements within just a few days. Sole proprietorship registration can be completed online in under 30 minutes, and WSIB coverage is often approved within 2–5 business days. Workers who need additional safety requirements like Working at Heights can also complete certification within the same week. Our team provides clear guidance through each step, making it easy to get fully set up and ready to work—no delays, no confusion.

  • Costs:

    Business registration $60–$90

    Insurance / WSIB setup $0–$50

    PPE + tools $250–$450

    Training at Heights $100-$150

    Total $300–$600 all-in.

    (You’ll make this back in your first week.)

Red graphic of a clipboard with a person icon, a wrench, and a gear, alongside the text "Join the Placement Program".

Join the Placement Program

  • Through the Canadian Trades Network, you’re not locked into one path — you get to explore multiple trades firsthand. From carpentry and roofing to electrical, plumbing, and HVAC, each placement gives you real, on-site experience and helps you discover where your skills fit best. By working with different companies and crews, you gain practical knowledge, confidence, and a diverse resume that opens doors across the construction industry.

  • At the Canadian Trades Network, placements are based on where labour is needed, not personal preference. This ensures consistent work opportunities and real experience across multiple trades. The goal of the program is to expose you to different types of work so you can discover your strengths, build versatility, and develop a solid foundation of skills before deciding on a long-term trade path. Flexibility is a key part of the program — the more open you are to learning, the more opportunities you’ll receive.

  • Depending on your experience, your pay could start at $22 - $30 an hour.

    At the Canadian Trades Network, you get paid directly for every hour you work — no payroll deductions. As an independent business, you set your own path while earning competitive hourly rates that reflect your effort and skill. We believe in rewarding hard work and reliability, so you’ll always know exactly what you’re earning and when you’ll be paid. Weekly payouts keep cash flowing, and as you gain experience across multiple trades, your value — and your rate — can grow.

  • You’ll be exposed to a wide variety of trades including carpentry, roofing, electrical, plumbing, HVAC, landscaping, concrete forming, welding, renovation, and general construction. The trades you experience will depend on your skills, attitude, and availability. During your interview, we’ll assess your strengths and interests and match you with placements that fit your ability level while still giving you room to grow. Our goal is to help you explore different trades until you find the one that’s right for you.

Red icon of a person inside a circle with an upward arrow, next to the text "Choose Your Future" in bold red letters.

Choose Your Future

  • Unlike traditional apprenticeships or school programs, there’s no set time limit on how long you have to stay. You decide when it’s time to move on. Maybe you’ll discover a love for working with wood after a few months in carpentry, or maybe you’ll find your passion in electrical after just a few weeks — either way, the choice is entirely yours. When you feel ready to focus on one trade and take the next step in your career, there are no strings attached.

    You can leave the program at any time, confident that you’ve gained hands-on experience, professional references, and the clarity to build your future on your own terms.

    We see every placement as an opportunity for you to take ownership of your development — not just to fill a job, but to shape your life. Our mission is to empower young Canadians to explore the trades in a flexible, supportive environment where growth happens naturally. You’re not working for us; you’re working with us, building your own future one job at a time.

  • Yes. If you find a company you enjoy working with and they offer you a long-term position, you are free to join them at any time. There are no contracts or restrictions that prevent you from moving forward in your career. Our goal is to help you discover the right trade and the right opportunity — if a placement leads to full-time work or an apprenticeship, that’s a success in our eyes.

  • Person wearing safety gear, including a helmet, goggles, and a face mask, operating a green miter saw to cut wood in a workshop.

    "I'm grateful I get the chance to try different things out without having to pay a fortune for it."

    Matt Payton

  • A man installing a power outlet on a wooden wall using a cordless drill.

    "It's a really cool program, i've tried out HVAC, Roofing and Plumbing so far, I'm close to deciding my career now"

    Jamie Kokot

  • A man is installing a security camera on the wooden ceiling of a room.

    "I finished Uni and wasn't able to find anything with my degree, thankful for the placement program"

    Kevin Kalowisky