Meet Requirements

Become an Apprentice

• Step 2 to becoming an apprentice.
• Apprenticeship education in Alberta is designed to be flexible.
• As long as you meet the registration eligibility requirements, you can:

• You can register and start one part of your apprenticeship journey while working toward the other requirements.
• Begin working on the job before you meet entrance requirements for classroom instruction
• Attend classroom instruction even if you haven’t secured a sponsor yet to begin on-the-job learning

Eligibility requirements

• Before you apply to become a registered apprentice, make sure you are eligible.
• To register as an apprentice, you must be either:
• You must also be one of the following:
• The Alberta apprentice eligibility policy does not permit individuals covered under the temporary IRCC policy to register in an Alberta apprenticeship program.
• *Post-Graduation Work Permit holders are eligible to register as an apprentice if they have completed an Alberta post-secondary program of study recognized by the Registrar as equivalent to all periods of classroom instruction in the applicable apprenticeship education program.
• For additional information, consult the Apprentice Eligibility Policy (AIT Operational Policy Manual).

• a resident of Alberta, or
• primarily working in Alberta (in the scope of the apprenticeship education program).
• a Canadian citizen
• a permanent resident of Canada
• a Convention refugee or protected person
• a Refugee Claimant in possession of a work permit
• an individual in possession of a Post-Graduation Work Permit* Post-Graduation Work Permit*
• be a holder of a valid Canada-Ukraine Authorization for Emergency Travel (CUAET) visa living in Canada as a temporary resident, and meet the conditions set out here. here

Entrance requirements

• Before you enroll in classes as a registered apprentice, you'll need to meet the entrance requirements.

• Entrance requirements include specific high school courses that you must have passed.
  • If you completed high school in Alberta, we'll check your marks when you apply for apprenticeship.
  • If you studied outside Alberta, submit your transcripts or an education assessment.
• If you haven't passed the required courses, you have a few options:
  • Take an entrance exam to show you’re ready. entrance exam
  • Submit a GED or CAEC (alberta.ca)certificate (all 5 tests passed). GED or CAEC
  • Complete a training program recognized for advanced standing in your apprenticeship program.
  • Submit a recognized trade certificate -- this shows you have the foundational knowledge required. recognized trade certificate
  • Already have an Alberta journeyperson certificate? You've already met the requirements.
• You can register as an apprentice before you meet the entrance requirements.
  • You must meet them before you enroll in your first period classroom instruction. classroom instruction
  • This means you can start earning on-the-job hours while you study for your entrance exam.

Sponsorship agreement for on-the-job learning

• Before you begin working as a registered apprentice, you need to have an agreement with a sponsor.
• *Most apprentices come to classroom instruction with some on-the-job experience. Without it, you may find the classes challenging. Find a sponsor as soon as you can for your best chance at success.

• If you have a sponsor when you apply to become a registered apprentice:
  • Submit your sponsor's information during the application process to initiate your sponsorship agreement. application process
  • You can start working and learning on the job as soon as your application is approved.
• If you don't have a sponsor yet when you applyto become a registered apprentice:
  • You can apply and attend classroom instruction* before you have a sponsor. classroom instruction
  • Once you find a sponsor, submit a Notice of Acceptance form to register your sponsorship agreement. Notice of Acceptance
  • You may not start working and learning on the job until your Notice of Acceptance has been processed.

More information on Tradesecrets

• How to sponsor an apprentice
• How to manage your sponsorship agreement

Resources

• Article: How to Find an Apprenticeship sponsor in Alberta (alis.alberta.ca) Article: How to Find an Apprenticeship sponsor in Alberta
• Job postings (alis.alberta.ca) Job postings
• Job search help (alis.alberta.ca) Job search help
• Career advice (alis.alberta.ca) Career advice
• Women Building Futures (womenbuildingfutures.ca) Women Building Futures
• CAREERS: The Next Generation (careersnextgen.ca) CAREERS: The Next Generation
• Skills Canada Alberta (skillsalberta.com) Skills Canada Alberta
• Trade Winds to Success (tradewindstosuccess.ca) Trade Winds to Success
• Trade Pathways (tradepathways.ca) Trade Pathways

Alberta · Trade profiles