Automotive Service Programs at Ontario Colleges
See how automotive service training is structured across Ontario colleges, ranked on an independent six-criteria score.
Compare automotive service technician programs in Ontario. Learn how the 310S apprenticeship, Red Seal, and pre-apprenticeship streams work, plus how to choose the right Ontario college.
| Rank | College | Location | Score | Reviews |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  Mohawk College is a publicly funded Ontario college serving Hamilton and surrounding communities, whose Marshall School of Skilled Trades & Apprenticeship at the Stoney Creek campus trains roughly 2,400 apprenticeship students per year. It offers Red Seal apprenticeship training in electrician, plumber, carpenter, millwright, steamfitter/pipefitter, welder, and motive power trades. The college is recognized as one of Ontario's leading trades training institutions, with a dedicated initiative supporting women and equity-deserving students. Stoney Creek | Stoney Creek | 7.4 /10 | No reviews yet |
| 2 |  Centennial College is a publicly funded Ontario college (established 1966) recognized for its automotive and motive power trades, including manufacturer-specific Modified Apprenticeship Programs (MAPs) with Ford, Honda, GM, and Toyota. Skilled trades training spans automotive service technician, truck and coach technician, heavy equipment technician, construction and maintenance electrician, and HRAC to Red Seal standards. Programs are delivered with access to simulation labs at the Progress Campus. Toronto | Toronto | 7.3 /10 | No reviews yet |
| 3 |  Niagara College is a publicly funded Ontario college (established 1967) operating from campuses in Welland and Niagara-on-the-Lake. Its School of Trades, based at the Welland Campus Rankin Technology Centre, offers welding, electrical, machining, automotive service, and hairstyling programs across advanced labs on 100 acres of green space. The college is also home to Canada's first Teaching Winery, Teaching Brewery, and Teaching Distillery. Welland | Welland | 7 /10 | No reviews yet |
About automotive service programs in Ontario
Automotive service technician programs in Ontario prepare you to diagnose, repair, and maintain cars and light trucks across mechanical, electrical, and electronic systems. The trade — designated 310S in Ontario and part of the broader motive power sector — blends classroom theory with hands-on shop time, and most students reach full qualification through an apprenticeship. This page explains how the training works, the certification pathways, and what to compare across colleges. Cost, schedule, and program length vary by college, so check each college's profile for the details that matter to you.
What you'll learn
Course lists vary by college, but programs commonly cover:
- Engine fundamentals, lubrication, and cooling systems
- Brakes, steering, suspension, and wheel alignment
- Electrical and electronic systems, diagnostics, and scan tools
- Fuel, ignition, and emissions systems
- Heating and air conditioning (often involving regulated refrigerant handling)
- Drivetrain components — transmissions, clutches, and driveline
- Shop safety practices and diagnostic equipment
Modern automotive work leans heavily on diagnostics, so programs emphasize reading data and isolating faults, not just mechanical repair.
Apprenticeship and certification
In Ontario, the automotive service technician trade is administered as an apprenticeship through Skilled Trades Ontario. It blends paid on-the-job learning under a qualifying employer with in-class technical instruction at an approved training provider.
Pathways into the trade
- Pre-apprenticeship — entry-focused programs that build foundational skills and can help you secure a placement; a good fit if you're new to the trade.
- Apprenticeship — the main pathway, where you're employed as an apprentice while completing in-school sessions toward qualification.
Red Seal
The trade carries a Red Seal endorsement. Earning Red Seal certification shows your skills meet an interprovincial standard recognized across Canada, which can support mobility between provinces.
A note on gas work
Some tasks touch fuel and gas systems. Gas work in Ontario is regulated separately by the Technical Standards and Safety Authority (TSSA), with G3, G2, and G1 levels. If a role involves regulated gas work, the relevant TSSA credential applies in addition to the automotive trade qualification.
How to choose a college
When comparing Ontario colleges, weigh:
- Stream offered — pre-apprenticeship vs apprenticeship in-school training
- Hands-on facilities — shop space, tools, and diagnostic equipment
- Employer connections — placement support and partnerships
- Location and schedule — commute, format, and intake timing
- Cost and program length — these vary by college; confirm on each profile
Use this directory to compare colleges side by side, then visit individual profiles for current details before you apply.
Frequently asked questions
What is the 310S trade in Ontario?
310S is Ontario's trade code for the automotive service technician. It covers diagnosing, repairing, and maintaining cars and light trucks, and is part of the province's motive power sector. The trade is administered as an apprenticeship through Skilled Trades Ontario.
Is automotive service technician a Red Seal trade?
Yes. The automotive service technician trade carries a Red Seal endorsement. Earning Red Seal certification shows your skills meet an interprovincial standard recognized across Canada, which can help with mobility if you work in another province.
What's the difference between pre-apprenticeship and apprenticeship?
A pre-apprenticeship is an entry-focused program that builds foundational skills and can help you secure an apprenticeship placement, ideal if you're new to the trade. An apprenticeship is the main pathway, where you're employed as an apprentice while completing in-school technical training toward full qualification.
Do I need a gas licence to work as an automotive service technician?
Not for the trade itself. However, gas-related work in Ontario is regulated separately by the Technical Standards and Safety Authority (TSSA), which has G3, G2, and G1 certification levels. If a specific role involves regulated gas work, the relevant TSSA credential is required in addition to your automotive trade qualification.
How long does an automotive service program take and what does it cost?
Program length, schedule, and tuition vary by college and by whether you take a pre-apprenticeship or apprenticeship pathway. We don't list a single figure here because it differs across providers — check each college's profile for current program duration and cost details.
How is the training delivered?
Automotive service training in Ontario combines in-class technical instruction at an approved training provider with paid on-the-job learning under a qualifying employer. This mix lets you apply classroom theory directly in a working shop as you progress toward certification.
Still have questions? Contact us.