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Overview
Our comprehensive, hands-on Pre-employment Cabinetmaker program is designed for those interested in working in a cabinet or architectural millwork shop.
Over 12 weeks, you'll learn to produce custom-made wood products, interpret diagrams and specifications and create drawings for unique woodworking projects from kitchens to offices.
The program includes:
- first-year cabinetmaker training, providing you with a solid foundation, including how to read and interpret blueprints, safely operate woodworking machinery, and understand the properties of different wood types
- practical skill development, enhancing your craftsmanship and confidence in working with wood components, including measuring, cutting, assembling, and finishing wooden pieces to create furniture and cabinetry
- the safety training and practices paramount in any trade to ensure you can work safely and efficiently.
This program aims to prepare you to enter the workforce with the skills and knowledge necessary to become an apprentice cabinetmaker.
As a graduate, you can challenge the first-year cabinetmaker apprenticeship exam, potentially accelerating your journey toward certification.
This program is ideal for those passionate about woodworking, keen on precise and artistic work, and looking to quickly enter a trade with a high demand for skilled labour.
The Pre-employment Cabinetmaker program offers the training and opportunities to craft a rewarding career.
Cabinetmakers tend to be objective, innovative and methodical.
You need:
- good eyesight to select woods and look for surface imperfections
- hand-eye coordination and manual dexterity
- strength and stamina to lift heavy items
- the ability to visualize a finished product from drawings, blueprints or other specifications.
You should enjoy creating things with your hands and working with high accuracy.
This program aligns with the first period of Alberta Apprenticeship and Industry Training's (AIT) Cabinetmaker curriculum.
Graduates are eligible to register as apprentices and challenge the first-period exam.
Once you pass the exam and complete the necessary training hours with an employer, you may register for SAIT's Cabinetmaker apprenticeship program beginning in period two.
Upon successful completion of the program, you'll receive a SAIT Pre-Employment Cabinetmaker certificate.
Careers and opportunities
Each year, SAIT conducts a survey between February and April to determine the employment rate, salary and satisfaction of our newest SAIT alumni.
100% graduate employment rate
Find out more about our graduate employment statistics >
Our graduates may work in the following occupations. Some careers require additional experience and education.
Associated National Occupational Classification (NOC) codes: 72311, 92022, 94124, 94210, 94211.
Career counselling and support
Unsure which career path is for you? SAIT offers career planning services to help you decide your future.
You can also get started by taking our online career finder quiz, which can help you narrow down your search based on your current skills and interests.
Finally, you can also head to Alberta alis for various tools and resources, including additional quizzes and labour market information to help you narrow down a career path.
Courses
The Pre-Employment Cabinetmaker program requires 12 credits (4 courses) to complete.
Course | Credits |
---|---|
Learners will study applied print reading for the cabinetmaking trade, including drafting basics, orthographic drawings, basic drawing standards, interpreting shop drawings and cutting lists, orientation to computer and computer aided design (CAD) and residential print reading. |
1.5 |
This course covers materials in Sections 1 to 5 of the Cabinetmaker Apprenticeship Course Outline for Period 1 published by the Government of Alberta as version 3610.1 (2010) of the Cabinetmaker Apprenticeship Trade Profile on the website of Alberta Apprenticeship and Industry Training located at http://tradesecrets.gov.ab.ca. |
6 |
This course covers materials in Sections 1 to 5 of the Cabinetmaker Apprenticeship Course Outline for Period 1, published by the Government of Alberta as version 3610.1 (2010) of the Cabinetmaker Apprenticeship Trade Profile on the website of Alberta Apprenticeship and Industry Training located at http://tradesecrets.gov.ab.ca. |
3 |
Mathematics for Cabinetmaking is an introductory course for cabinetmaking trade. Topics included are basic math concepts, area, perimeter, board feet and volumes, ratio and proportion and percentage. |
1.5 |
Progression
You must attain a PGPA and/or a CGPA of 2.0 or better each semester and pass the prerequisite courses to progress through the program.
To qualify for graduation, you must pass all courses, attain a CGPA of 2.0 or better and complete course requirements within the prescribed timelines.
Admission requirements
Applicants educated in Canada
Applicants must demonstrate English language proficiency and completion of the following courses or equivalents:
- Math 10C, Math 10-3 or Applied Math 10, and
- English Language Arts 10-1 or English Language Arts 10-2.
SAIT accepts high school course equivalents for admission for applicants educated outside Alberta.
All applicants who were educated outside of Canada must demonstrate English language proficiency and provide proof they meet the program admission requirements with an international document assessment. Find accepted educational documents and assessment options.
SAIT may also accept courses completed at certain international post-secondary institutions.
Academic Upgrading
Missing an admission requirement for this program? Upgrade your prior education to help you receive admission into one of SAIT's career programs.
English language proficiency
All applicants must demonstrate English language proficiency prior to admission, including students educated in Canada.
Transfer agreements
At SAIT, we evaluate post-secondary credit you have previously earned and apply it to your SAIT credential. Explore our formal transfer agreements available for this program.
We can evaluate your prior education, even if we don't have a formal agreement in place.
Submit a transfer credit application
There are no formal transfer agreements currently in place for this program.
Transfer options for graduates
Build on the knowledge you’ve learned at SAIT. The opportunity to advance your education at an accredited post-secondary institution may be available.
🔗 Visit Transfer Alberta search tool for all transfer agreements in Alberta (including UCalgary, MRU and BVC).
If there are transfer agreements with other institutions outside of Alberta, nationally or internationally, they will be listed below.
Alberta Apprenticeship and Industry Training
- Program name
- Apprenticeship Pathway
- Available credits:
- n/a
Upon successful completion of this program, you'll be eligible to register as an apprentice and challenge Alberta Apprenticeship and Industry Training’s (AIT) first-period examination for the trade.
Available intakes
Winter 2025
Start dates:
- Domestic students: Waitlisted
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Application deadline: Extended
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- Domestic students: Open
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Application deadline: Extended
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Fall 2025
Start dates:
- Domestic students: Open
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Application deadline: June 30, 2025
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Costs
2024/25 tuition and fees
The following costs are effective as of July 1, 2024.
Domestic students
Books and supplies are approximately $1,000 - $1,500 per full-time year.
This is a bring-your-own-device program with a standard computer hardware and software requirement. See the specific requirements on our computers and laptops page.
Find your booklist on the SAIT Bookstore's website. The booklist will be available closer to the program start date.
Can't find your program or course? The bookstore didn't receive a textbook list. Contact your program directly to determine if they're still refining course details or if you're in luck; no textbook purchase is required this term.
Required personal protective equipment (PPE)
- CSA steel-toe boots
- Safety glasses
- Hearing protection - will be provided, but students may choose to bring their own.
Required equipment or tools
- Metric/imperial tape measure (min. 16')
- Marking pencil
Financial aid
Paying for your education may feel overwhelming, but we have resources and programs that can help, including information about payment options, student loans, grants and scholarships.
This program is eligible for Canada Alberta Job Grant funding.
Application process
Ready to apply?
Follow our step-by-step guide to submitting a successful application.
Communication during admission
Email is the primary source of communication during the selection process. Ensure your personal email account is managed appropriately to receive our emails, files and communications. We recommend you add the construction.advising@sait.ca domain to your safe senders' list or you risk missing critical email messages.
Begin your application
Apply now using the online application portal.
Ensure you have a valid Visa or Mastercard to pay the non-refundable application fee of $120 for domestic applicants.
Information sessions
Prepare for a strong start in your chosen program or get the details you need to decide your future path.
Our expert staff and faculty are ready to answer your questions and provide information about the following:
- What sets SAIT apart
- An introduction to the program and area of study
- Admission requirements
- Future career paths
- Information on the earning potential and graduate employment rates.
Contact us
School of Construction Advising
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Phone - 403.284.8367
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- Application information
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Oki, Âba wathtech, Danit'ada, Tawnshi, Hello.
SAIT is located on the traditional territories of the Niitsitapi (Blackfoot) and the people of Treaty 7 which includes the Siksika, the Piikani, the Kainai, the Tsuut’ina and the Îyârhe Nakoda of Bearspaw, Chiniki and Goodstoney.
We are situated in an area the Blackfoot tribes traditionally called Moh’kinsstis, where the Bow River meets the Elbow River. We now call it the city of Calgary, which is also home to the Métis Nation of Alberta.