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About Sponsors and Employers
This page keeps the requirements and topics named on the public Tradesecrets page. It is not the official site, and it does not replace a form, an exam booking, or a decision by Alberta Apprenticeship and Industry Training.
Checked 4 October 2026. Tradesecrets and the Government of Alberta do not endorse TradesAtlas.
- Source
- Tradesecrets page
- Last checked
- 4 October 2026
The Sponsor
- Facilitating Learning:Your sponsor is the organization responsible for:
- arranging paid employment for you in your trade,
- ensuring you get quality on-the-job mentorship, and
- supporting your progression through your apprenticeship program.
- Formal Agreement:You'll enter an Apprenticeship Education Agreement with your sponsor. | Learn More Learn More
- Tracking Progress:The sponsor signs off on your on-the-job hours in your blue record book. | Learn More Learn More
The Employer
- Employment: Your employer is the individual or company that hires and compensates you for your work.
- Mentorship:The employer provides you with on-the-job mentorship, typically through a certified journeyperson. This ensures you're continually learning and refining your skills on the job.
What's the difference?
- For many apprentices, the sponsor and employer are one and the same.
- However, some apprentices work with numerous employers under the umbrella of a single, separate sponsor.
- Example: College/Polytechnic Sponsor
- For Sponsors and Employers: How to sponsor an apprentice For Apprentices: How to manage your sponsorship agreement Policy: Sponsor Eligibility Policy | Obligations of a Sponsor Policy Forms: Request for Approval of Apprenticeship Education Agreement | Notice of Release
- Sponsor: A union can act as your sponsor, dispatching you to various job sites for hands-on experience and guiding your apprenticeship journey.
- Employer: The individual or company at each job site becomes your employer, offering you work and mentorship.
- Sponsor:The school (such as NAIT) can act as a sponsor, using its ties with industry partners to connect you with an employer.
- Employer: The individual or company at each job site becomes your employer, offering you work and mentorship.