Frequently Asked Questions
I am not yet a PWU Hiring Hall Member / Questions regarding Apprenticeships & Job Postings
Review the classifications and requirements listed under the ‘Job Applications’ selection for each Hiring Hall employer and apply using the online format. All certificates or diplomas requested in the classification description must be included or the application may not be considered. Only applicants who are qualified for a classification should apply for the classification and will be considered.
Applications are kept for a minimum of 6 months after which time an applicant should reapply.
The PWU Hiring Hall reviews and selects individuals from the resumes that we receive when there is a need for additional members in a classification. The largest amount of hiring is done early in the year however specific needs are addressed as determined on a case by case basis. We do not know when hiring will be done unless there is a specific need identified in a classification. Specific needs are normally preceded by a bulletin requesting applications for that classification.
It is important to note that a number of collective agreements call for joint selection of applicants with our employers. In these cases, after review by the PWU Hiring Hall, the applications are forwarded to the employer for their review. Only applicants acceptable to both parties are contacted for follow up.
Certain classifications require applicants to pass a test and attend an interview. All classifications at Bruce Power and OPG and the clerical/call centre positions at Hydro One and Inergi require testing. Most other classifications require an interview. Only applicants contacted by the PWU Hiring Hall will be tested and interviewed.
Existing PWU Hiring Hall members are considered for other direct supply classifications, if they are qualified. Each individual will need to review the list of classifications on the PWU website and apply online for the classifications that they are qualified for and interested in. When recruiting for those classifications, only those that are jointly selected will be contacted for testing and/or interview.
Questions regarding available apprenticeships through the PWU/Hydro One Joint Apprenticeship Council (JAC) can be answered by emailing the Hydro One/PWU Joint Apprenticeship Council Administrative Coordinator at [email protected]. Other information is available in the Hydro One/PWU Apprenticeships section of the “Job Application” tab of the PWU website. The selection gives information regarding the type of work performed by each classification as well as requirements and wages. The PWU and Hydro One distributes bulletins when recruiting for Apprentices and we only recruit and refer apprentices to Hydro One. The PWU does not recruit or refer apprentices to apprenticeships at OPG or Bruce Power.
Apprenticeship applications are only accepted through the ‘PWU/Hydro One Apprenticeships’ selection of the ‘Job Applications tab at this website or through the Hydro One website. Applications are only accepted as noted in the question below.
The PWU/Hydro One Joint Apprenticeship Council (JAC) normally selects and hires apprentices as follows:
Powerline Technician
Requires an Ontario Secondary School Diploma, Grade 12 Math and Grade 12 English (or equivalents that are assessed on a case by case basis)
· Applications are normally accepted in late August and September.
· Interviews are held in November
· The number of apprentices selected varies depending on the needs of the program.
· Apprentices start in the following year beginning in January
Utility Arborist
· Requires an Ontario Secondary School Diploma, Grade 12 Math and Grade 12 English (or equivalents that are assessed on a case by case basis)
· Applications are normally accepted in December.
· Interviews are held in February
· The number of apprentices selected varies depending on the needs of the program.
· Apprentices start in the following year beginning in April
Truck and Coach Technician
· Requires an Ontario Secondary School Diploma, Grade 12 Math and Grade 12
English (or equivalents that are assessed on a case by case basis)
· Applications are normally accepted in August
· Interviews are held in October
· The number of apprentices selected varies depending on the needs of the program.
· Apprentices start in the following year beginning in January
Electrician: Construction and Maintenance
· Requires an Ontario Secondary School Diploma, Grade 12 Math, Grade 12 English and a senior (Grade 11 or 12) Science – Physics is preferred (or equivalents that are assessed on a case by case basis)
· Applications are normally accepted in late January or February.
· Interviews are held in April
· The number of apprentices selected varies depending on the needs of the program.
· Apprentices start in the following year beginning in June
Industrial Mechanic (Millwright)
· Requires an Ontario Secondary School Diploma, Grade 12 Math and Grade 12 English (or equivalents that are assessed on a case by case basis)
· Applications are normally accepted in January or February.
· Interviews are held in April
· The number of apprentices selected varies depending on the needs of the program.
· Apprentices start in the following year beginning in June
Meter Technician Trainee
· Requires Post-Secondary School in a College of Applied Arts & Technology Diploma Majoring in Electrical, Electronics or related programs (or equivalents that are assessed on a case by case basis)
· Applications are normally accepted in September of each year.
· Interviews are held in December
· The number of trainees selected varies depending on the needs of the program.
· Apprentices start in the following year beginning in January
The PWU/Hydro One Joint Apprenticeship Council (JAC) accepts any level of Grade 12 Math, however it is preferred that a candidate has at least College Level or Apprenticeship Math. Grade 12 English at the College or University Level is required.
I am already a PWU Hiring Hall Member / Questions regarding Laid Off status and out of work list
Members are placed on the Out-of-Work List for their classification by layoff date.
Members laid off on the same day will be put on the Out-of-Work List in the following order:
- Members laid off on the same day will be recorded and registered in the order of the date of last referral. The member with the most recent referral date will be placed on the Out-of-Work List first and so on.
- Members laid off on the same day with the same date of last referral will be recorded and registered in an order determined by a draw.
- If members are laid off and have not accumulated enough hours to collect maximum Employment Insurance (EI) benefits, they will retain their “registration date” until enough hours have been accumulated to collect maximum EI benefits. Members must provide documentation to the Union Office confirming their ineligibility for maximum EI benefits.
Members who have been notified of a scheduled layoff and who voluntarily terminate their employment or are laid off in a manner that affects placement on the Out-of-Work List will be deemed to have been laid off on the date of the scheduled layoff. Where the employer notifies the Union or Joint Dispatch of a scheduled layoff, or it is common knowledge throughout the workplace, all members at work three weeks prior to the date of the scheduled layoff will be placed on the Out-of-Work List on the scheduled date of the layoff.
Contact the Joint Dispatch at (877) 575-3155 after being laid off.
Contact the Joint Dispatch at (877) 575-3155.
Hiring Hall members are entitled to be placed on all Out-of-Work Lists for which they are qualified subject to the rules below:
- A member who has previously worked through the PWU Hiring Hall in a classification is entitled to be placed on the Out-of-Work List for that classification on the date lay off.
- A member who holds a Certificate of Qualification is entitled to be placed on the Out-of-Work List for that trade on the date of lay off.
- Members who are qualified for a classification are entitled to be placed on the Out-of-Work List for that classification with approval of the appropriate Hiring Hall Staff Officer. “Qualified” in this case is defined as having the appropriate education and experience and may require joint agreement with the Employer for that classification. These members will only be referred to work in the classification after all unemployed members on the Out-of-Work List for that classification have had the opportunity to return to work.
- Members are removed from all Out-of-Work Lists when they are referred to work through the Hiring Hall.
Contact the Joint Dispatch at (877) 575-3155.
Contact their Hiring Hall Chief Steward in the first instance. The Hiring Hall Chief Steward may then refer the member to the appropriate representative.
Contact the Power Sector Benefit Trust at (888) 250-2270.
Depending on the Collective Agreement, members are not normally allowed to change classifications while at work. In order to change classifications, members must be referred to work in the new classification. In this instance, all members currently on the Out-of-Work List for that classification must have the opportunity to accept the work first.
An exception may be made when members are promoted into supervisory positions in the same classification.
For any other questions please call the PWU Office to speak with someone in the PWU Hiring Hall Department.
Telephone: 416-481-4491
Toll-Free: 1.800.958.8798
