Insulator Program Updates (2025)

Big changes are coming to the Insulator (Heat and Frost) Apprenticeship Education Program starting in 2025.

If you’re currently an apprentice, please read this carefully so you understand what it means for you and how to stay on track.

🗓️ What’s Changing – Starting July 31, 2025

The Insulator (Heat and Frost) Apprenticeship Program is being updated to match new national standards and better reflect what today’s industry needs. Here’s what’s changing:

The program will move from 3 periods to 4 periods.
Classroom instruction will be 6 weeks long per period, instead of 7.
The course material (curriculum) is being updated to match new Red Seal standards and modern job skills.

📂 New Apprentices – Starting August 1, 2025

New applicants will only go into the 4-period program.
The old 3-period program will close to new students.
The first Period 1 classes in the new structure will start January 2026.

👷 Current Apprentices

✅ If you're already in the program, you can still finish under the current 3-period structure—but there are deadlines.

Complete Period 1 before May/June 2025.
Complete Period 2 and Period 3 in Fall 2025.

🔁 If you don’t complete all your classroom instruction by December 31, 2025, you will move into the new 4-period program starting January 2026. This means:

You’ll be required to complete the new 4th period.
You’ll follow the new 6-week-per-period format for classroom instruction.
You may want to take a bridging course to learn new topics added to the updated program in periods you’ve already completed (these topics will appear on the Red Seal exam).

📘Bridging for Missing Topics

If you switch to the new program after completing Period 2 under the old structure, you will miss new content (like cryogenic systems). To help with this, a 2-week bridging course will be available, mostly online. This course:

Covers important new material tied to the Red Seal exam.
Is currently being developed.
May be free or funded—details to come.

🧠Frequently Asked Questions

What happens if I don’t finish all my classes by December 31, 2025?

You’ll be moved into the new program. This means you’ll follow the 4-period structure and need to complete any periods you haven’t already passed, including the new 4th period.

Do I lose the training I’ve already done?

No. You’ll keep all credit you've already earned for completing any classroom instruction, on-the-job, hours, or exams. You only need to complete the remaining periods, but under the new program structure. If you completed period 2 under the old program, you may also need to take a bridging course.

What if I finish Period 2, but not Period 3?

You’ll move into the new program starting in January 2026. You’ll need to complete Period 3 and the new Period 4. A short bridging course will be available to help you learn new material added to period 2 that you will miss. This course will help you prepare for the Red Seal exam.

Will I have to go to school longer under the new program?

Yes, slightly. Each period will be a bit shorter (6 weeks instead of 7), but there will be 4 periods instead of 3.

What is the bridging course?

It’s a short (about 2 weeks), mostly online class that covers new content (like cryogenic systems) added to the updated curriculum, which you will miss if you transition to the new 4-period program after taking period 2 under the old 3-period program. This course will help you prepare for the Red Seal exam.

Do I have to finish my hours and exams by December 31, 2025?

No. You only need to complete your classroom instruction by December 31, 2025 to stay in the 3-period program. You can still complete your on-the-job training hours and write your final exam after that date, as long as your classroom instruction is done before the deadline.

Why is the program changing?

The changes are being made to align Alberta’s Insulator Apprenticeship Program with Red Seal standards used across Canada.

The new 4-period structure and updated curriculum will reflect modern tools, techniques, and technologies that employers across the country expect.

This helps make sure apprentices are trained to a national standard—and improves job readiness and mobility.

I'm in 1st period—can I stay in the 3-period program?

Most likely not, unless you complete period 1 classroom instruction before July 31 2025. Period 1 classroom instruction will not be offered in fall 2025.

You don’t need to reapply—you’ll just move into the new 4-period program starting January 2026 and continue your training under the new structure when it’s available.

Do I need to reapply or do anything special if I move into the new program?

No. If you haven’t completed all your classroom instruction by December 31, 2025, you’ll be automatically moved into the new 4-period program.

You don’t need to reapply or start over. Your progress will carry over, and any periods you’ve already passed will still count.

You’ll see the new program requirements (including any remaining periods you need to complete) show up in your MyTradesecrets account in early 2026.

We’ll also send you an email with more information if this change applies to you—so make sure your contact details in MyTradesecrets are up to date.

How will I know if I am being switched to the new 4-period program?

We’ll email you with instructions, deadlines, and next steps if you’re moving into the new program.
Check your MyTradesecrets account regularly, and keep your contact info updated so you don’t miss anything.