Trades in Alberta
On this page:
- Apprenticeship Education Program
- Trades Qualifier Program
- Employment in the Trade
Metal Fabricator (Fitter)
A metal fabricator (fitter) lays out, prepares and assembles structural steel and metal vessels, containers and miscellaneous components. Metal fabricators (fitter) fabricate structural components for buildings, bridges and other load-carrying structures, and plates for tanks, boilers, pressure vessels and similar products.
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
- Classroom instruction for this apprenticeship program is currently suspended.
- Entrance requirements:
- English 10-2 and Math 10-3
- 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
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 Metal Fabricator (Fitter) work experience.
- Pass a theory exam.
- Pass a practical exam ($350.00).
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.
- Pass a practical exam ($350.00).
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
- working at a journeyperson level in the opinion of your employer (journeyperson certification optional).
- 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 Metal Fabricator (Fitter) journeyperson employed by the same company.
- Period 1: 60%
- Period 2: 75%
- Period 3: 90%
- 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.