Educational Credentials

When you graduate from your apprenticeship program, you'll earn a post-secondary credential.

About Credentials

Your credential is formal recognition of the knowledge, skills, and competencies you have mastered.

Apprenticeship credentials are recognized on Alberta’s Credential Framework (open.alberta.ca).

This framework outlines all post-secondary credentials in Alberta—from certificates to doctoral degrees.
Each credential level has set expectations for the level skills and knowledge, regardless of the field studied or the institution attended.

Your credential represents your achievements and potential, opening doors to diverse opportunities.

it allows employers--even those unfamiliar with your trade--to quickly understand your level of education.
if you enroll in a different post-secondary program in the future, your new institution can quickly assess whether you are eligible for any transfer credit (transferalberta.alberta.ca).

A credential in a designated trade also qualifies you for an Alberta Journeyperson Certificate.

The journeyperson certificate authorizes you to work unsupervised in your trade.
You'll receive both at the same time.

Types of Credentials

Depending on your program, you could earn one of four types of apprenticeship education credentials.

Alberta has 47 apprenticeship programs, which span a wide range of skilled trades.

Some trades are more complex than others--and so are their apprenticeship programs.
That’s why not every program results in the same credential.

Here's what the four credential types look like:

Credential Index

View a list of all trades and their corresponding educational credential.

Designated Trade	Credential
Agricultural Equipment Technician *	Advanced Diploma
Appliance Service Technician - Commercial Appliance Service Technician	Certificate
Appliance Service Technician *	Diploma
Auto Body Technician - Auto Body Prepper	Certificate of Achievement
Auto Body Technician - Auto Body Refinisher *	Certificate
Auto Body Technician - Auto Body Repairer	Certificate
Auto Body Technician *	Diploma
Automotive Service Technician *	Advanced Diploma
Baker *	Diploma
Barber	Certificate of Achievement
Boilermaker *	Diploma
Bricklayer *	Diploma
Cabinetmaker *	Advanced Diploma
Carpenter *	Advanced Diploma
Cathodic Protection Technician 1	N/A
Cathodic Protection Technician 2	N/A
Communication Technician	Diploma
Concrete Finisher *	Certificate of Achievement
Construction Craft Worker *	N/A
Cook *	Diploma
Crane and Hoisting Equipment Operator - Boom Truck	Certificate of Achievement
Crane and Hoisting Equipment Operator - Mobile Crane *	Certificate
Crane and Hoisting Equipment Operator - Tower Crane *	Certificate of Achievement
Crane and Hoisting Equipment Operator - Wellhead Boom Truck	Certificate of Achievement
Electric Motor Systems Technician *	Advanced Diploma
Electrician *	Advanced Diploma
Elevator Constructor	Certificate of Achievement
Field Heat Treatment Technician	N/A
Floorcovering Installer *	Certificate
Gas Utility Operator	N/A
Gasfitter - Class A *	Diploma
Gasfitter - Class B *	Certificate
Glazier *	Diploma
Hairstylist *	Certificate
Heavy Equipment Technician	Advanced Diploma
Heavy Equipment Technician - Heavy Duty Equipment Mechanic (Off Road) *	Diploma
Heavy Equipment Technician - Transport Trailer Mechanic	Certificate of Achievement
Heavy Equipment Technician - Truck and Transport Mechanic *	Diploma
Industrial Construction Crew Supervisor	N/A
Industrial Mechanic (Millwright) *	Advanced Diploma
Instrumentation and Control Technician *	Advanced Diploma
Insulator (Heat and Frost) *	Certificate
Ironworker (Metal Building Systems Erector)	Certificate
Ironworker (Reinforcing) *	Certificate
Ironworker (Structural/Ornamental) *	Certificate
Landscape Horticulturist *	Advanced Diploma
Lather (Interior Systems Mechanic) *	Diploma
Locksmith	Diploma
Machinist *	Advanced Diploma
Metal Fabricator (Fitter) *	Diploma
Motorcycle Mechanic *	Diploma
Natural Gas Compression Technician	Advanced Diploma
Oil and Gas Transportation Services	N/A
Outdoor Power Equipment Technician - Power Equipment	Certificate
Outdoor Power Equipment Technician - Recreational Equipment	Certificate
Overhead Door Technician 1	N/A
Overhead Door Technician 2	N/A
Painter and Decorator *	Diploma
Parts Technician - Materials Technician	Certificate
Parts Technician - Parts Technician *	Certificate
Plumber *	Advanced Diploma
Power System Electrician	Advanced Diploma
Powerline Technician *	Diploma
Recreation Vehicle Service Technician *	Diploma
Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Mechanic *	Advanced Diploma
Residential Construction Site Manager	N/A
Roofer *	Certificate
Sheet Metal Worker *	Advanced Diploma
Slickline Services	N/A
Snubbing Services	N/A
Sprinkler Systems Installer *	Diploma
Steamfitter-Pipefitter *	Advanced Diploma
Steel Detailer 1	N/A
Steel Detailer 2	N/A
Steel Detailer 3	N/A
Transport Refrigeration Technician	Diploma
Water Well Driller - Earth Loop Technician	Certificate
Water Well Driller - Water Well Driller	Certificate
Welder - Wire Process Operator	Certificate of Achievement
Welder *	Diploma
Well Testing Services Supervisor	N/A

*Red Seal Designated trade