Water Well Driller
In Alberta, the water well driller trade has the following branches:
- Water well driller - earth loop technician
- Water well driller - water well driller
Water well drillers set up and operate rigs to drill residential, commercial and industrial water wells. Drillers in the earth loop technician branch set up and operate mobile drilling rigs and trenching equipment to construct residential and commercial earth loops for heating and cooling. For more information, see the Trades and Occupations section of Alberta’s Tradesecrets website.
Legislation
Under Alberta’s Apprenticeship and Industry Training Act [pdf] and Water Well Driller Trade Regulation [pdf], you do not have to be certified if you are self-employed or work for an employer who is satisfied that you have the skills and knowledge expected of a journeyperson certified by Alberta Apprenticeship and Industry Training. To learn the trade, you must become a registered apprentice.
What You Need
The term of apprenticeship for each branch of this trade is 2 years (two 12-month periods) that include a minimum of 1,800 hours of on-the-job training and 6 weeks of technical training in each year.
Apprentices must find suitable employers who are willing to hire and train apprentices, and successfully complete technical training examinations.
Working in Alberta
Water well drillers and earth loop technicians trained in other provinces and territories can work in Alberta if they hold a certificate or license recognized by the Alberta Apprenticeship and Industry Training Board or have the skills and knowledge expected of a journeyperson certified in Alberta. For more information, see the Recognized Trade Certificates page of the Tradesecrets website.
Contact Details
Any of the Apprenticeship and Industry Training Client Service Offices located throughout Alberta. For a list of office locations and telephone numbers, click on “Contact Us” on the home page of the Tradesecrets website (tradesecrets.alberta.ca).