Reviews of Skilled Trades College of Canada - Barrie (Electrical Technician)

Tom Ryan

This course is fantastic. great staff to work with very helpful. if your looking to get into the trades this is the place to go.

Sean Cousins

Weekend class of 2021 May 29th-Dec 4th, Mario Debono is an excellent instructor for your Pre-Apprentice 309A, he has several years of practical and teaching experience, dialing in what makes the class needs extremely well. Studying under him has been a great help to understanding what the next year can be like. Congratulations to all graduates here. To all upcoming or considering students, you're doing yourself a huge favor if this is your career choice.

Eddie Woodruff

Great learning environment with knowledgable teachers. For all the tools and material you receive the tuition is an awesome deal. Highly recommended to anyone going into the trades.

James Dosne

Just finishing up my course. Amazing teacher, Mario. He really knows how to explain things in a simple way so that someone with little to no knowledge, like myself, can understand. I’m confident that i can now step on a job-site and understand the rights and wrongs for safety. I also feel that i now know the proper process to getting the job done right, efficiently and on time. I highly recommend this to anyone looking to learn the basics from trained professionals with decades of experience.

Rebecca Elder

100% recommend! I took this 12 week course with absolutely no background in construction and no connections through family or friends to get a job afterwards. The risk was worth it: I took a tour with Glenn and he helped me find the funding I needed to make school possible. Then Joe taught me everything I needed to know in only 12 weeks; from theory to hands-on experience. I now have found a job before I've even graduated that I will begin the week after graduation! There is a whole network of people to help you succeed if you put in the effort to do so! I feel ready to begin my career.

Outdoor Dave

Mario is an excellent teacher, I was never great at math but he has put it in a way that has helped me greatly and feel confident and ready for the workforce within the trades sector.

Christopher McInnes

Good atmosphere, good people. Lots of hands on experience with residential and commercial projects. Mario Debono is invested in engaging students minds through his teaching methods which makes for a fun and thorough educational experience in the pre-apprenticeship program for the electrical course here. il-gratitudni tiegħi lejk Mario, thank you.

Nate White

Great school and programs my teacher Rick for the home renovation course is amazing teaching me everything I need to know for my future 10/10 recommend ????????

Isaac Fantuz

Great school, absolutely brilliant teacher Mario debono very professional and informative, would recommend to anyone.

UNT1DALED PRODUCTIONS

The Skilled Trades College of Barrie helps make the world a better place. No one is just here to get paid, they take it very seriously here in their ultimate goal to support the trades, having knowledgeable and safe workers to help improve life on the job sites. The instructors are pretty much four professors in one in that you are with the same instructor all day but the day is broken up into two to four parts depending on the day he may put on several different ‘hats’. The innovation management has implemented puts us on the right track with a wonderful partnership with Milwaukee Tools they exceptionally prepare us with the pro grade gear that compares itself to Christmas I’m not going to lie. Honestly with these key things in mind this college sets itself way above and beyond any more recently constructed trades colleges I had been seeing on Facebook spam etc. After a decade of factory hands-on learning and a couple years in architectural college I can say I found all of these paths taken in the past to be nothing in comparison to this program and it’s design layout. I found STC after the virus layoffs, putting my stuff into storage, this school is located next door and has been my first beacon of hope towards a new tomorrow.

m g

The reason I gave this school a five star rating was because of Mario. He was the instructor I had for the electrical pre-apprenticeship program. Mario is a fantastic instructor in the short time you will spend here he will teach you as much information as he can without making it boring to sit though. He really looks out for all his students to make sure everyone will be successful. I honestly can't say anything bad about his teaching, he made coming in everyday worth your time.

Adam Green

Mario is a great instructor who takes time to make sure everyone understands and is extremely helpful!

Lucas Paula

Mario Debono is a phenomenal instructor in the electrical course, he has a profound amount of knowledge in the electrical trade and always connects it back to his real world experiences. With that, his ability to thoroughly explain all aspects of the course with clarity and patience makes the electrical pre-apprenticeship while somewhat challenging, an absolute pleasure to experience. I hope anyone else taking this course will have the pleasure of learning from Mario Debono. Thank you for all your hard work.

Derek Linden

The skilled trades college helped me on the path of my career. Mario is professional and very knowledgeable of the skills required in the electrical trade. In my experience, this quick three month course, teaches you important practical skills that employers want you to have in today's job market. After my completion of the program, I was able to start my career as an electrical apprentice quickly, thanks to Mario and the staff at the Skilled Trades College.

Jesse Kirkeby

I would highly recommend STC-Barrie Campus for anyone looking to jumpstart a career in the relevant trades. In just under three months I have gained a solid foundational knowledge and the skills necessary to tackle an Electrical Apprenticeship with confidence. My course instructor - Mario (himself a Master Electrician with decades in the field), has planned out a thoughtful and effective curriculum that quickly layers skill upon skill and backs it up with focused pratice. He is constantly reevaluating and fine tuning the course so it remains relevant and, as much effort as the student is willing to put in, he will answer with direction and support. The facilties and tools are professional level and the relationships the College has made in the Electrical Industry are invaluable when it comes to sourcing work at the end of the program. I believe it was an excellent investment of both my time and money, with STC willing to put the same into my training. All in all: very satisfied.

compezzy

Great school, great staff and all around great learning experience (credit to Mario) I'm still in the school now I graduate on the 17th of December and I already have a job opportunity (awesome) definitely a 5/5 school

Bennett Verschuren

Great school! Amazing instructor that actually cares for his students. Started with zero knowledge in the Electrician trade and 4 weeks into my 3 month course I am absolutely loving it and very confident in the work I am producing. Highly recommend this school to anyone who is interested in a this career path but don't know where to start.

Carl Abbott

Good teachers, worth the price

Tristan Dufty

Just finished the Electrical Pre-Apprenticeship program at STC in Barrie. Mario did a great job keeping it interesting, the course itself was well designed. Looking forward to getting out in the field and putting the knowledge to use.

John Myers

Having a great experience with the electrical part time program at the Vaughn campus. The teacher is knowledgeable, realistic, down to earth and always willing to explain or expand on questions. Tests and assignments are always related to to the job and deadlines are also in a realistic time frame.

Keifer Durham

Mario is a great instructor not only has he been working in the electrical trade of a number of years but he’s also a master electrician which means he’s able to relate stuff that he’s talked about in class to real life experience which helps us as students get a better understanding of the Lessons he’s teaching. I came into the program with no knowledge of the electrical trade which is a bit intimidating. But after a bit and with the help of Mario’s teaching styles I now feel more comfortable and confident in the work we do. I would truly recommend this program to anybody who is looking or thinking about going into the electrical trade

Joshua Werner

Great place to learn

Ethan Southwell

the plumbing pre apprenticeship program is great and having such a knowledgeable teacher and friendly administration that go out of their way to help you succeed makes a world of difference when it comes to a post secondary education and experience.

Elizabeth Derhak

Mario is one of the greatest teachers of all time. Best part is he is not just a teacher, Mario is an electrician. Not only does he carry great knowledge he has experience an know what’s he is talking about. Mario takes the time to explain, The barrie campus, definitely made the right decision to have him. Mario not only makes you think but you understand the way aspect of what your doing. Course is a great stepping stone, filled with hands on experience. There's a method to the teaching and it works! Mario is a Master Electrician and teacher all in one. I don't regret any minute of being part of the Skilled Trades College

Austin Currie

Waste of money don’t bother coming to this school, your better of getting into the trade through just starting as a labourer somewhere. They bribe you from the beginning saying how awesome this course is and how they try very hard to get employment for there students after the course is done. Me including a bunch of my classmates in the plumbing program have had no help what so ever from the school to help find us employment. I started here from sept 27-Dec17 and haven’t made a pay check in 3 months as I had to quit my job to attend this school. I sit here now $11,000 in debt from the course fees and no job whatsoever. You get a meaningless piece of paper saying you’ve completed the program and that’s it. I’ve applied to over 30+ plumbing company’s and have yet to received a single phone call back. SAVE YOUR MONEY DONT COME HERE

Bobby Anderson

As a mature student, husband and father who works full time mon-fri I appreciated the opportunity to pursue my continued education through the STCC weekend classes. The registration process was straight forward, the payment plan is manageable and as someone who prefers a more hands on approach to learning, I appreciated the breakdown of in-class learning and practical skills that are developed during the lab portion of the curriculum. I was fortunate enough to have Mario as my instructor. He is a very experienced and down to earth guy who was extremely accommodating to the year that we found ourselves in and particularly as a mature student like myself who had to balance class and life. Approachable, flexible and was able to provide a great deal of real life experience that gave valuable insights into what we, as new apprentices, could expect following course completion. I would encourage anyone looking to pursue a career in electrical to look into this program and I hope that the STCC continues to support great instructors like Mario who play a crucial role in the success of students.

TC three

I’m finishing up my Electrical Course with STC and it was well worth it. My teacher, Mario Debono, was very knowledgeable and helpful with the teachings of his in class & lab work. I enjoyed my time with this school and look forward to kickstarting my career as an apprentice

amhollander

Mario was a great teacher. Learned a lot in 3 months.

Seth Lansing

Worth the money and time, what you would normally learn in 1 year+ you can learn in 12 weeks here

Dmitri Goussakov

Great teacher at barrie campus, makes you think and understand what your doing. Course is a great stepping stone filled with hands on experience and understanding. There's a method to the teaching and it works! Mario is a Master Electrician and teacher all in one.

ryan green

Almost done a 1/3 of the pre-apprenticship electrician course in Barrie, and it has been the most fun I've had in school. They have a great balance of being in class and in shop. Mario has been an outstanding instructor, and he is very honest and straight forward with the class about the material covered in the course and how it will be during the apprentice process.

Alex Berry

Great school to start learning or try new things. Home renovation how's you doing a handful of stuff that you learn and will do. Rick is a very good teacher if you take home reno. 10/10 would recommend.

Leigh Shilling

I'm currently enrolled in the Electrician Pre-Apprenticeship course. I’m really enjoying my time here. The administration team is wonderful and easy to talk to Them. Mario is one of the greatest teachers Always answering questions and is very helpful and knowledgeable. He goes out of his way to help any student that is having any kind of trouble.

Ryan Tatarchuk

I am just about to finish the weekend course for the electrician pre-apprentice program. This is the first time the option for weekend school/trades training has been available in the Barrie area. The teachers deserve a lot of credit being able to work all week and than come in and teach this course on weekends. It has truly helped my entire class of ladies and gents that need to work as well as get all the tools, information, code, and theory, and prints understanding to start our careers. It is a great mix of hands on and in class work, you never get bored and you learn new things every day. You learn current codes as well as the old way so you are able to recognize what the electrician before you has done. The teachers have a wealth of knowledge. And both teachers can teach you the same thing in different ways, it really helps for people's particular learning styles. A huge shout out and thanks to Mario, and Steve for taking their this time to make all our lives better and successful.

Austin Borchert

As we wrap up our course I am so thankful for being accepted into this school as a coop student. This is a great learning opportunity for anyone at any stage in life from just out of high school making their way into the trades or even as an adult simply wanting to do their own renovations on their house. I couldn’t imagine a better way to spend my time learning everything there is to know about a home build and our teacher Rick was awesome. He was able to keep us moving at a good speed so we had plenty of time to do other side projects on the house we wanted to learn as well as sat through and fully explained any questions we had. Would 100% recommend this course.

Sarah Tasker Taskall Cleaning Company

Awesome , today was my first day . it was great the instructor is great . was a great experience thus far

Benjamin Terin

Just over halfway done my course and I have enjoyed ever second of it, I’ve learned so many new hands on skills and am happy to say I’m excited to come in learn more each day!

Rob S

It's not worth it. There’s a lot you need to be aware of if you’re interested in this pre-apprenticeship course. I’m only posting this to inform you of just a few things because I recently hired someone whom we’ll call “John” who recently completed the electrical program at the STC and he and his father were disappointed considering the cost of this STC course. He wanted my perspective on it. I am a master electrician and a former Ontario college instructor at 2 different colleges who has taught apprentices and students in 1 and 2 year electrical programs. I also have my own company for 20+ years and have had many students from both private programs (like this one) and real college programs come to me for work. There is a big difference. The STC has NO affiliation with the Ontario College of Trades or the IBEW. They inform their students they will be credited the hours for time spent in the program - not true. They only teach the basics of residential wiring and basic types of conduit bends. He told me they said, “We teach the same thing here in 12 weeks that a real college teaches in 8 mos. (1 year) program”. Also not true. In a real Ontario college 1 year program you learn everything: residential, commercial, AC/DC motors and motor controls, solar and renewable energy, batteries, instrumentation, electronics, and more - all with labs and lots of theory. The STC 3-month course is NOT AT ALL the same. Also, at a real college you can go on to a 2nd year which also teaches industrial, 3-phase theory and equipment, PLC, fire alarms, and more, all with hands-on labs. The residential sector is only a small percent of the electrical trade. Places like the STC think that, for their hefty tuition fee, residential training is all that’s needed in the workforce. Their tuition is outrageous for basic residential training with no hours toward your apprenticeship whereas, for close to the same cost for tuition at an Ontario college, you get all the training and classes which DO count directly toward your apprenticeship. So, is 3 months the only deciding factor? I do approximately 80% commercial work. Most non–residential employers are more concerned with proper training and information given. John knew almost nothing in commercial work or in motor controls, which my company, and many others, does a lot. In my professional opinion, a real Ontario college program would benefit you or simply try to get hired and learn on the job. The Ontario college option is great because it actually counts toward your apprenticeship and you learn so much more in all sectors of the industry. Another issue is the material they use to teach at the STC. They use an old version of the Code book. Sometimes 2 versions older than the current one - the owner gets it at a cheap price since they’re outdated. John was told “It still gives you practice on how to read a code book”. Wrong information is learned. Also they photocopy only a few chapters of the residential textbook and put them in a binder. How is that justified with the tuition fee? Apparently they're told there's help finding a job at the end...why? To lure you in. Of course there's no job placement. There's other issues I can still go on about. The things taught at the STC can be taught on the job in a couple of weeks. It’s just not worth it for basic residential training. I hired John because he is a neighbour’s son, not because of the STC. Ontario colleges actually invest in students so invest in your career properly. Take a real Ontario college course or simply try hard to get hired and learn on the job. These quick-fix colleges are simply not worth it (to the students anyway). There are no short-cuts to real training. Before signing anything, ask lots of questions if you’re still considering this “college”. Thanks and good luck!

Robbie Peacock

Great program. Amazing teacher learned so much. You get all all your tools and hands on learning. Mario is great at allowing for extra time if needed or if you just want to practice. Recommend for anyone wanting to change the career.

Brandon Paolozzi

Currently a student here, so far everything has been great and I'm really enjoying the amount of practical work everyday.

Tom Metcalf

I'm currently enrolled in the Electrician Pre-Apprenticeship course. Not a day goes by that I don't learn something that will help me in my career in the future. Mario is one of the greatest teachers I've ever had, he goes out of his way to help any student that is having any kind of issues.

Jill Stagg

UPDATE!!!!! I am now a plumbing apprentice! Thanks to the Skilled Trades College, an employer has taken me on as a first year apprentice, starting right after graduation, knowing that I have the solid foundation needed to be successful on my journey towards my Red Seal. Thank you Skilled Trades College! - March 19, 2021 As plumbing pre-apprentice, Skilled Trades College has given me the tools I need to feel confident in my abilities to get on site as an apprentice, and be a positive contribution to the team. Our instructor Nicole, is an extremely knowledgeable plumbing journeyman, but also a very effective teacher who I have learned so much from. This was exactly the type of education I wanted (lots of hands on as well as theory) and the best investment I have made in myself and my future in the plumbing trade. Thank you Skilled Trades School, and thank you Nicole (aka Plumber Girl) ????????????

Jon E Moffatt

Great place to learn the basics! Taking the electrical course has been great and I really appreciate that our teacher, Mario, is willing to go the extra mile to make sure the information is understood. I went from having zero trades knowledge to understanding how circuits work, how to read prints & diagrams, and how to install electrical devices in just a few months. 10/10 would recommend this course to anyone looking to start a career in the trades.

John Aloisio

Great course and campus. Great staff that are helpful. I recommend this school to anyone looking into trades. ????

Devin Smith

Only being 3 weeks in all I can say is that Mario is a great instructor tries to make everyday as fun as he can (even though very difficult with code). Lots of hands on work so far I would highly recommend it.

Matthew Hale

Mario is an awesome instructor who takes his time to teach the class and makes a point to help makes sure the class understands the material. Lots of great hands on work. Definitely makes you feel prepared for an apprenticeship.