Trades in Alberta
On this page:
- Apprenticeship Education Program
- Trades Qualifier Program
- Employment in the Trade
Insulator (Heat and Frost)
Insulators (heat and frost) apply, remove and repair thermal and acoustical insulation (e.g. calcium silicate, glass foam, mineral wool, Styrofoam, fibreglass) on all types of commercial and industrial equipment (e.g. duct piping, heat exchangers, tanks, vessels).
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:
- 1517 hours work experience per period
- 7 weeks classroom instruction per period
- Theory exam required
- Each period designed to take ~1 year
- Up to 18 months allowed between each requirement
- 7 weeks in all periods
- Offered at NAIT and SAIT
- Entrance requirements:
- English 10-2 and Math 10-3
- or GED/CAEC
- or Entrance Exam
- 1517 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
The Insulator (Heat and Frost) Apprenticeship Program is being updated in 2025/2026 to match new national standards and better reflect what today’s industry needs.
- Recognized programs offered by:
- Heat and Frost Insulators and Allied Worker Training Centre (Heat and Frost Insulators and Allied Workers Local 110)
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 6827 hours of verifiable Insulator (Heat and Frost) work experience.
- Pass a theory exam.
- Pass a practical exam ($475.00).
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 ($475.00).
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 Insulator (Heat and Frost) journeyperson employed by the same company.
- Period 1: 50%
- Period 2: 60%
- Period 3: 70%
- 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.