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  Federal public policy on apprentices without a study permit.

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Eligibility and Entrance Requirements
About Apprenticeship
    Sponsors and Employers
    Educational Credentials
Become an Apprentice
    Choose your program
    Eligibility and Entrance Requirements
    Apply for Apprenticeship
    Prior Learning Assessments
Start in High School
    Registered Apprenticeship Program
    Career and Technology Studies
Sponsor an Apprentice

Meet Requirements

Step 2 to becoming an apprentice.

Apprenticeship education in Alberta is designed to be flexible.

  • You can register and start one part of your apprenticeship journey while working toward the other requirements.

As long as you meet the registration eligibility requirements, you can:

  • 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:

  • a resident of Alberta, or
  • primarily working in Alberta (in the scope of the apprenticeship education program).

You must also be one of the following: 

  • 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

For additional information, consult the Apprentice Eligibility Policy (AIT Operational Policy Manual).

Entrance requirements

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

Check the entrance requirements for your trade .

  • 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. 
    • Submit a GED or CAEC certificate (all 5 tests passed).
    • Submit a recognized trade certificate -- this shows you have the foundational knowledge required.
    • 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 can enroll in your first period 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.

Find a business or organization willing to provide you with paid-on-the-job mentorship in your trade, and ask them to become your sponsor.

  • 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.  
    • 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 apply to become a registered apprentice:
    • You can apply and attend classroom instruction* before you have a sponsor. 
    • Once you find a sponsor, submit a Notice of Acceptance form to register your sponsorship agreement.
    • You may not start working and learning on the job until your Notice of Acceptance has been processed.

*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.

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