Upcoming 2027 Trades Field Placements and Job Shadows
Students from seven of RRC Polytech’s Trades programs are seeking employer hosts for upcoming field placements and job shadows during 2027. These programs are:
- Cabinetry & Woodworking
- Carpentry
- Electrical
- Industrial Mechanic/ Millwright
- Piping Trades
- Refrigeration Mechanical Trades
- Welding
Students are developing industry-relevant skills and are eager to gain hands-on exposure to the workplace, build professional connections, and deepen their understanding of their chosen trade.
Participating in our Work-Integrated Learning program is a direct pipeline to emerging trade professionals and can be a trial period if you are looking to hire directly after the placement. All programs listed provide first year apprentice accreditation, provided the student completes the program with the required grade.
If you’re interested in hosting a student or would like to learn more about Work-Integrated Learning opportunities in the skilled trades, please reach out to our Work-Integrated Learning Coordinators today at tradesWIL@rrc.ca.
New to Hosting Trades Students?
Field placements and job shadows are forms of Work-Integrated Learning (WIL) that connect classroom learning with real-world industry experiences. These partnerships benefit students, employers, and RRC Polytech by helping develop skilled trades professionals who are better prepared to enter the workforce.
The process is simple, and College staff are available to support employers throughout the experience. Whether you can host a student or would like to learn more about future opportunities, we’d be happy to connect with you.
What is Field Placement?
Field placements provide students with short-term workplace learning opportunities related to their program of study. These experiences allow students to apply classroom learning in an industry setting while gaining exposure to workplace expectations and practices.
Field Placements:
- Students participate in short-term work experiences related to their program.
- May be paid or unpaid, depending on the employer.
- Students must follow both College policies and employer workplace guidelines.
- Employers provide supervision and a safe learning environment that supports student learning.
What is a Job Shadow?
Job shadows are workplace observation experiences designed for students in compulsory trades programs such as Electrical and Refrigeration.
Because students in these programs are not yet apprentices, they are not permitted to perform trade-related work or use tools while participating in their WIL experience. Instead, students observe qualified tradespeople to gain an understanding of workplace practices, jobsite safety, industry expectations, and day-to-day responsibilities within the trade.
Job shadows:
- Are observation-based experiences.
- Are unpaid.
- Allow students to explore the trade environment before entering apprenticeship.
- Help students make connections between classroom learning and industry practice.
- Students must follow both College policies and employer workplace guidelines.
- Employers provide supervision and opportunities for observation and learning.
Important Dates
Cabinetry & Woodworking: Field Placement (3 Weeks)
- February 22 to March 12, 2027
- March 22 to April 9, 2027
Carpentry: Field Placement (2 Weeks)
- April 12 to April 23, 2027
- August 3 to August 13, 2027
Electrical: Job Shadow (2 Weeks)
- April 12 to April 23, 2027
- August 3 to August 13, 2027
Industrial Mechanic/ Millwright: Field Placement (4 Weeks)
- June 2027
- September/ October 2027
Piping Trades: Field Placement (2 Weeks)
- March 22 to April 2, 2027
- April 5 to April 16, 2027
Refrigeration Mechanical Trades: Job Shadow (2 Weeks)
- March 22 to April 2, 2027
- April 12 to April 23, 2027
Welding: Field Placement (2 Weeks) – Tentative Dates
- January 4 to January 15, 2027
- May 3 to May 14, 2027
- May 17 to May 28, 2027
- August 30 – September 10, 2027
For more information about Work-Integrated Learning, visit: