Trades in Alberta
On this page:
- Apprenticeship Education Program
- Trades Qualifier Program
- Employment in the Trade
Cook
Cooks prepare food in eating establishments including hotels, restaurants, institutions, trains and ships. Their major responsibilities are nutrition, food costs and sanitation.
3-Period Apprenticeship Program
Optional Certification
Explore this trade on alis.alberta.ca.
Apprenticeship Education Program
Apprenticeship blends hands-on work experience with classroom learning, so you can build skills, knowledge, and a career all at once.
Credential
- Diploma
Certification
- Journeyperson Certificate
- Red Seal Endorsement (optional)
Program Requirements
- 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
Classroom Instruction
- 8 weeks in all periods
- Offered at Lethbridge Polytechnic, NAIT, Red Deer Polytechnic, and SAIT
- Entrance requirements:
- English 10-2 and Math 10-3
- or GED/CAEC
- or Entrance Exam
On-the-Job Instruction
- 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.
Exams
- Theory exam required to complete each period
- Red Seal exam option in final period
High School Credit
Trades Qualifier Program
If you have experience in the trade without an Alberta Journeyperson Certificate, the Trades Qualifier Program is your pathway to qualify.
Work Experience Program
- Complete 54 months and 7020 hours of verifiable Cook work experience.
- Pass a theory exam.
- Provide an Employer Declaration Letter (EDL).
Recognized Credentials Program
- 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.
Restricted Activities
- Specific tasks and function within the trade may only be performed by authorized individuals.
Authorized Individuals
- To perform restricted activities, you must be:
- a registered apprentice, or
- working at a journeyperson level in the opinion of your employer (journeyperson certification optional).
Apprentice-to-Mentor Ratio
- Employers may employ two apprentices for every one assigned mentor (2:1).
- AEITP Regulation (open.alberta.ca)
Wages
- Apprentices must be paid at least the below percentage of the rate received by the lowest-paid Cook journeyperson employed by the same company.
- Period 1: 60%
- Period 2: 75%
- Period 3: 85%
- AEITP Regulation (open.alberta.ca)
Recognized Credentials
- 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.
Red Seal Endorsement
- You may take the Red Seal Exam upon the completion of your apprenticeship in this trade.