Trades in Alberta
On this page:
- Apprenticeship Education Program
- Trades Qualifier Program
- Employment in the Trade
Gasfitter - Class A
Gasfitters size, install, test, adjust and service natural gas and propane equipment ranging from residential furnaces to industrial boilers. Gasfitter - Class A certification is required to work on appliances exceeding 400,000 British Thermal Units (BTUs).
Apprenticeship Education Program
Apprenticeship blends hands-on work experience with classroom learning, so you can build skills, knowledge, and a career all at once.
- Diploma
- Journeyperson Certificate
- Red Seal Endorsement (optional)
- 3 periods (levels)
- All periods:
- 1560 hours work experience per period
- 8 weeks classroom instruction per period
- Theory exam required
- Each period designed to take ~1 year
- Up to 18 months allowed between each requirement
- 8 weeks in all periods
- Offered at Keyano College, Lakeland College, Lethbridge Polytechnic, Medicine Hat College, NAIT, Northwestern Polytechnic, Portage College, Red Deer Polytechnic, and SAIT
- Entrance requirements:
- English 20-2, Math 20-3, and Science 10
- or GED/CAEC
- or Entrance Exam
- 1560 hours in all periods
- Sponsorship agreement required to earn hours.
- Must be completed with a qualified mentor.
- Demonstrate competence in activities outlined in the record book to receive credit.
- Theory exam required to complete each period
- Red Seal exam option in final period
- Recognized programs offered by:
Trades Qualifier Program
If you have experience in the trade without an Alberta Journeyperson Certificate, the Trades Qualifier Program is your pathway to qualify.
- Complete 54 months and 7020 hours of verifiable Gasfitter - Class A work experience.
- At least 1,000 hours working on appliances over 400,000 BTUs.
- Pass a theory exam.
- Provide an Employer Declaration Letter (EDL).
Applicants holding a related trade certificate may be eligible for credit toward these requirements (see Related Trade Certificates for the Apprenticeship Education Program above).
- Submit a copy of a recognized trade certificate from outside Alberta.
- Pass a theory exam.
Employment in the Trade
As a designated trade under the Skilled Trades and Apprenticeship Education Act, employed individuals or those employing tradespeople must meet certain regulated standards.
- Specific tasks and function within the trade may only be performed by authorized individuals.
- To perform restricted activities, you must be:
- a registered apprentice or
- a certified journeyperson or
- hold a recognized trade certificate.
- Employers may employ two apprentices for every one assigned mentor (2:1).
- AEITP Regulation (open.alberta.ca)
- Apprentices must be paid at least the below percentage of the rate received by the lowest-paid Gasfitter - Class A journeyperson employed by the same company.
- Period 1: 50%
- Period 2: 60%
- Period 3: 80%
- AEITP Regulation (open.alberta.ca)
- If you hold a recognized trade certificate from outside of Alberta, you are authorized to work in the full scope of the trade in Alberta.
- You may take the Red Seal Exam upon the completion of your apprenticeship in this trade.