• How does apprenticeship work?
• What is a trade?
• What is an Apprentice?
• What is a Journeyman?
• How long is an apprenticeship training program?
• How much does an Apprentice earn?
• What is RAP?
• How does an apprentice progress through training?
• What are the responsibilities of the employer?
• What are the responsibilities of the apprentice?
• Where does apprenticeship formal instruction take place?
• How much does an apprenticeship training program cost?
• How does an apprentice obtain an Alberta Journeyman Certificate?
• Where can a Journeyman work?
• How to become a registered apprentice
• Contracts
• Registering for apprenticeship training at SAIT
• Technical training at post-secondary schools
• Accreditation
• SAIT's Pre-Employment training programs
• Apprenticeship and Trade Certification Branch Regional Offices

How does apprenticeship work?

Apprenticeship is an education and training system that teaches trade knowledge and skills through on-the-job training and formal instruction. The on-the-job training is provided by the employer and supervised by a journeyman. The formal instruction is arranged by the Alberta Learning Apprenticeship Branch and provided by various postsecondary institutions and training establishments. An apprenticeship training program is compulsory when gaining a trade credential.

About 80 per cent of the apprentice’s training takes place on the job. The other 20 per cent of the training is formal instruction at postsecondary institutions or training establishments.

What is a trade?

A wide variety of occupations can be classified as trades, and in fact the list of trades differs in each province. In Alberta, a trade is designated under the Apprenticeship and Industry Training Act.

What is an Apprentice?

An apprentice works on the job while he or she learns a trade. An apprentice has an apprenticeship contract with an employer that is registered with the Alberta government. An apprentice attends formal instruction. There are about 46,000 registered apprentices in Alberta at any one time.

What is a Journeyman?

A journeyman has learned the skills of the trade. Most journeymen hold a certificate in their trade. The Alberta Journeyman Certificate indicates that the holder has met certain standards and learned the skills of the trade. About 13 per cent of Alberta’s working age population hold trade certificates.

How long is an apprenticeship training program?

Apprenticeship training programs vary with the trade. The longest programs run for four periods of training (about four years). A period of training for each trade usually has two components, a specific number of hours of on-the-job training and a set amount of formal instruction.The amount of formal instruction ranges from three to 12 weeks per period.

How much does an apprentice earn?

Apprentices earn a percentage of the journeyman wage in their trade at the company in which they are employed. The apprentice’s wage varies from 40 per cent to 90 per cent of the journeyman’s wage, depending on the trade and depending on how much training the apprentice has completed. The apprentice’s wage increases as the apprentice progresses from one level of training to the next.

An employer must pay a Registered Apprenticeship Program (RAP) apprentice at least the basic minimum wage.

What is RAP?

RAP, the Registered Apprenticeship Program, is a modified apprenticeship program that permits a high school student to become an apprentice while attending high school. A RAP apprentice accumulates hours of on-the-job training as credit toward his or her apprenticeship program, and credit toward a high school diploma, or certificate of achievement.

How does an apprentice progress through the training?

To progress from one period of an apprenticeship training program to the next, an apprentice will:

• successfully complete the formal instruction;
• have the required hours of on-the-job training and a satisfactory report from the supervisor;
• pass the apprenticeship examination for that period of training (70% pass mark); and,
• have the record book stamped by the nearest Alberta Learning Career Services Centre.

The Employer Will:

• update the apprentice’s record book by recording the on-the-job training provided, the hours worked, the type of work performed, and by evaluating the apprentice; and,
• forward the record book to the nearest Alberta Learning Career Services Centre.

After completing these steps an apprentice’s wages should increase to the next level for that trade. The level may differ with each employer, but will be based on the journeyman wage rate in that company.

What are the responsibilities of the employer?

The employer is responsible for:

• providing on-the-job training to the apprentice under the supervision of a journeyman;
• paying the apprentice’s wages;
• providing time away from work so that the apprentice can complete the required formal instruction; and,
• maintaining the apprentice’s record book.

What are the responsibilities of the apprentice?

The apprentice is responsible for:

• completing the required on-the-job training as assigned by the employer and, at the end of each period of apprenticeship, reviewing with his or her supervisor:
• the hours worked;
• the on-the-job training completed;
• ensuring that his or her record book is updated at the end of each period, and forwarded to the nearest Alberta Learning Career Services Centre;
• attending the required formal instruction;
• making arrangements to meet personal financial needs while attending formal instruction; acquiring the text books and supplies required for formal instruction;
• successfully completing the requirements of the formal instruction;
• completing the required examinations;
• advising the school:
  • if he or she becomes unemployed or employed by another person so that the contract of apprenticeship can be transferred;
  • if there is a change in address or employment;
• carrying his or her apprentice identification card at all times while at work and producing it on request; and,
• registration for classes at the institution of his/her choice.

Where does apprenticeship formal instruction take place?

Formal instruction is delivered at a variety of post-secondary institutions and training establishments, depending on the trade:

• technical institutes;
• colleges;
• vocational colleges;
• private trade schools; and,
• industry training centres.

How much does an apprenticeship training program cost?

Tuition, SAIT Students’ Association (SAITSA) fees and a $64 Shop Supply fee have now been introduced. The apprentice also pays for textbooks and Independent Learning Modules (ILM).

Tuition Fees

Tuition fees are set by Alberta Human Resources and Employment for the 2011 – 2012 academic year:

• 4 weeks - $380
• 6 weeks - $570
• 7 weeks - $665
• 8 weeks - $760
• 10 weeks - $950
• 12 weeks - $1,140

The 2011-2012 fees can be found in the online 2011/2012 Apprenticeship Handbook on the financial information page.

Additional fees are charged on a user-pay system for parking, Students' Association and Campus Centre privileges. Please see below for SAITSA Fees.

SAITSA Fees

• 4 weeks - $29.92
• 6 weeks - $44.88
• 7 weeks - $52.36
• 8 weeks - $59.84
• 10 weeks - $74.80
• 12 weeks - $89.96

An additional Students' Association fee of $7.48 per week of training is charged for each registered apprentice. This fee includes student services, student clubs, SafeWalk, special events, Survival Guide, The Odyssey Coffeehouse, The Gateway Restaurant and Bar, The Station Market, SAITSA Seconds (Used Books), and locker rentals.

For more information, check out saitsa.com.

How does an apprentice obtain an Alberta Journeyman Certificate?

An Alberta Journeyman Certificate is granted to an apprentice who:

• completes the required hours of on-the-job training and receives a satisfactory report from the supervisor;
• successfully completes the formal instruction;
• passes all required examinations; and,
• has forwarded his or her record book to the Career Development Centre, Alberta Learning, for completion.

When an apprentice receives an Alberta Journeyman Certificate, the new journeyman can use the term “certified” with the name of the trade. This title lets employers and consumers know that a standard of quality or skill, established by industry, has been attained. Journeyman wages should now be paid.

Where can the Journeyman work?

The Alberta Journeyman Certificate is valid in the province of Alberta, and may be recognized in other provinces. If the journeyman holds a certificate in one of the Interprovincial Standards (Red Seal) trades and is interested in working in another province, the journeyman can write an Interprovincial Standards Program (Red Seal) exam. Journeymen who carry an Interprovincial Standards Program Red Seal on their provincial certificate would not have to write any further examinations to qualify for certification in any other province in Canada.

How to Become a Registered Apprentice

Entrance Requirements
Currently, to enter an apprenticeship you must have the educational qualifications required for the trade to which you apply. It is to your advantage to obtain as much education as possible. The further you go in school the better your chances will be to get an apprenticeship and succeed in your training. In trades where a minimum level of education is required, you must present a transcript of your school marks when you apply for apprenticeship. If you cannot obtain a school transcript, you will be required to write an approved entrance exam. In certain trades, all applicants must write an entrance exam.

Perhaps the most difficult entrance requirement to meet is finding suitable employment with an employer who is a journeyman or employs a journeyman in the trade of your choice. To apply for an apprentice position, you should go in person to firms that work in the trade you have selected. You may have to apply to several firms before you find an employer who has a position for an apprentice.

Application Procedures
Once you’re employed, apprenticeship forms must be signed by both you and your employer. You can get these application forms from the Apprenticeship and Industry Training Division (Advanced Education and Technology) regional offices. If you think you have related work experience and/or training that could be credited toward your apprenticeship, discuss it with your employer and request credit on the application form. Once your application for apprenticeship is approved and your school transcripts or entrance exam marks are recorded, final approval is given and contracts are drawn up.

Contracts

A contract is signed by the apprentice and the employer. Before signing the contract, you should read it carefully to know your obligations and responsibilities and those of your employer.

Once signed, the contract is registered with the Apprenticeship and Industry Training Division. An identification card, course outline booklet and an apprentice record book are issued to you. At this point your apprenticeship training begins.

Registering for apprenticeship training at SAIT

Register for apprenticeship training at SAIT by contacting Student Services at:

• Phone: 403.284.7248
• Toll-free: 1.877.284.7248
• Fax: 403.284.7112
• In person:

SAIT Student Services
Room MA211, 2nd floor, Heritage Hall
1301 – 16 Ave NW
Calgary, AB
T2M 0L4

Payment or sponsorship information is due upon registration.

Visit Trade Secrets for the Apprenticeship Training Schedule (includes intake dates).

Technical Training at Post-Secondary Schools

Apprentices are required to attend technical training courses anywhere from four to 12 weeks in length in each period of apprenticeship. Tuition fees are charged to apprentices. For the technical courses, you must also purchase textbooks, manuals, information packages and specified supplies that may include articles of clothing and/or tools..

Apprenticeship Training Locations at SAIT
A number of apprenticeship programs utilize the facilities developed at SAIT. SAIT offers excellent lab facilities, workshops, cafeterias and other support services. The majority of trades are taught at our main SAIT campus location at 1301 – 16 Avenue NW. We also have two other facilities at the Mayland Heights campus where trades are taught. We have the Bob Edwards Building located at 2015 Centre Avenue SE and the Buck Crump Building located at 1940 Centre Avenue NE.

Apprenticeship Training Programs in Alberta
The Apprenticeship Program that leads to Journeyman status in 51 trades in Alberta operates under the direction of the Apprenticeship and Industry Training Board, and Alberta Advanced Education and Technology. Apprenticeship training programs are offered to registered apprentices only.

The Apprenticeship and Industry Training Division automatically sends school schedules for technical training to the apprentice in May. New tuition and registration information will be attached.

Visit Trade Secrets for the Apprenticeship Training Schedule (includes intake dates).

Accreditation

Training programs related to several of the apprenticeship trades are available in Alberta high schools, colleges and technical institutes. These approved programs are not part of the apprenticeship system. However, people who successfully complete them may receive technical training credits toward an apprenticeship training program after they have become employed as apprentices. Upon the recommendation of the employer, and depending upon the trade and the school program completed, credits may be given. All applications requesting time or training credits are evaluated on an individual basis by the Apprenticeship and Industry Training Division and may also have to be approved by the Local Apprenticeship Committee.

Before enrolling in any apprenticeship-related program (pre-employment or otherwise) in a high school, college or technical institute, find out if you will be able to obtain credit toward the apprenticeship program of your choice. You can do this by contacting your local Apprenticeship Regional Office.

SAIT’s Pre-Employment Training Programs

SAIT offers pre-employment training courses in apprenticeship related areas which have been approved for accreditation. Upon an employer’s recommendation and with the approval of the Executive Director of the Apprenticeship and Industry Training Division, these courses may be accredited toward apprenticeship for first period technical training. There are also several one and two year technology programs that are related to an apprenticeship trade and graduates of these programs may be considered for accreditation.

Other courses may be available. Call the SAIT Student Services at 403.284.7248 to check if Pre-employment programs are available in your area of interest.

Apprenticeship and Trade Certification Branch Regional Offices

Information about apprenticeship programs may be obtained at one of the apprenticeship regional offices. Inquiries should be made to the nearest regional office.