Tip Sheets

Apprenticeship in Alberta

An apprenticeship training program is a combination of on-the-job training, work experience and technical training in a trade. From day one, apprentices earn a salary for their time on the job.

Apprenticeship training programs last from one to four years, depending on the trade.

	Apprentices spend about 80 per cent of their time learning on the job from a qualified tradesperson. The rest of the time is spent taking technical training, usually at a college or technical institution.
	While they attend technical training, apprentices may be eligible for Employment Insurance (EI) or student grants (based on need).

Apprentices may also be eligible for more than 400 annual scholarships of $1,000 each. Visit tradesecrets.alberta.ca for more information.

High school, students can earn credits toward both an apprenticeship program and a high school diploma through the Registered Apprenticeship Program (RAP). There are 500 annual scholarships of $1,000 each available to RAP apprentices. For more information, talk to a school counsellor, check out the Alberta Apprenticeship and Industry Training website at tradesecrets.alberta.ca or visit the nearest Apprenticeship and Industry Training office. Call the Career Information Hotline at 422-4266 in Edmonton or 1-800-661-3753 in other Alberta locations for the office nearest you. 

Registering for apprenticeship training in Alberta is as easy as 1-2-3.

	Choose a trade Check the list of apprenticeship trades in Alberta at tradesecrets.alberta.ca and narrow your choices down to those trades that interest you. (Note: For more information on the apprenticeship trades, visit the OCCinfo website at alis.alberta.ca/occinfo) Next, talk to and ask questions of people working in these trades. Talk to employers, too. You may be able to job shadow to see what the day-to-day work is like.
	Find an employer You must be employed to become an apprentice. Thousands of employers hire and train apprentices. Find the one that's right for you.
	Apply Once you have an employer, pick up an apprenticeship application and contract form from your nearest Apprenticeship and Industry Training office or download it from tradesecrets.alberta.ca When you and your employer have completed and signed the application, return it to the nearest Apprenticeship and Industry Training office for registration. The apprenticeship application and contract is a legal agreement between you and your employer. It outlines the responsibilities for both of you during your apprenticeship program:

		You commit to completing your technical and on-the-job training requirements.
		Your employer commits to paying you a certain percentage of the journeyperson wage, increasing your pay as you progress through training. Your employer also agrees to train you on-the-job while allowing you time to attend technical training.

You may be able to write an Interprovincial Standards Program exam to earn a Red Seal on your journeyperson certificate. This credential is recognized in other Canadian provinces and territories where your trade is designated, without further examinations.

Other Relevant Tips Information Interviewing for Career, Learning and Work Options For more, visit the TIPS home page at alis.alberta.ca/tips

Additional Reading Time to Choose…A Post-Secondary Education Program published by Alberta Human Services and Working in Alberta: A Guide for Internationally Trained and Educated Immigrants published by Alberta Employment and Immigration. For copies of these publications:

		download an online copy or order the publication from the ALIS website at alis.alberta.ca/publications
		visit the Alberta Career Information Hotline website at alis.alberta.ca/hotline or call 1-800-661-3753 toll-free or 780-422-4266 in Edmonton
		visit your local Alberta Works Centre. To find the centre nearest you, go to the Career Services Near You page on ALIS at alis.alberta.ca/awc or call the Alberta Career Information Hotline.

Additional Information Visit the Alberta Apprenticeship and Industry Training website at tradesecrets.alberta.ca