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Alberta’s Apprenticeship and Industry Training System is an industry-driven partnership with government that ensures a highly skilled, internationally competitive workforce in 58 designated trades and occupations.
While government supports Alberta’s apprenticeship and industry training system, it is driven by industry, a term that includes both employers and employees.
The province’s training and certification is designed to meet the evolving requirements of each designated trade or occupation, and maintain high industry standards.
With only 10% of Canada’s working-age population, Alberta trains more than 20% of the country’s apprentices.
Alberta-certified workers are respected across Canada and around the world!
The foundation of the apprenticeship and industry training system is a network of Industry Committees – Local Apprenticeship Committees (LACs) and Provincial Apprenticeship Committees (PACs) in the designated trades, and Occupational Committees in the designated occupations. A Provisional Committee may be established before the designation of a new trade or occupation comes into effect. Each of these committees is comprised of an equal number of employers and employees.
The Alberta Apprenticeship and Industry Training Board oversees the system. Together with the industry committees, the Board sets Alberta’s training and certification standards. The Board is comprised of an equal number of employers and employees who work together on behalf of the designated trades and occupations.
The Apprenticeship and Industry Training Division of Alberta Advanced Education and Technology supports the industry-driven system. The Division acts as the registrar, advisor and monitor for apprenticeship and industry training activity. They support the Board and industry committees to develop training and certification standards, and make arrangements with the Apprenticeship Training Providers (technical institutes and colleges) for apprentices’ technical training.
The employer – apprentice partnership is the most visible part of the system. The Employer, through a journeyman, provides the majority of the training as the Apprentice learns the skills of the trade on the job.
A designated trade:
Each designated trade has industry-established job skills and competencies and a training program referred to as an apprenticeship program.
To work in a designated trade in Alberta, a person must be a registered apprentice or a certified journeyman or, in some trades, work for an employer who is satisfied that the worker has the skills and knowledge expected of a certified journeyman, or be self-employed.
If a person is going to work in any designated trade in Alberta but needs to learn the trade, the person must be a registered apprentice.
In Alberta, there are 50 designated trades (see Trades & Occupations).
A designated occupation:
Designated occupations have clearly identified competencies. When an individual demonstrates they have achieved the occupation’s identified competencies, the Minister grants an occupational certificate.
Participation in a designated occupation is voluntary in Alberta. An Occupational Certificate is not required for an individual to work in the occupation.
There are seven designated occupations in Alberta (see Trades & Occupations).
The process to designate a trade or occupation usually starts when an industry submits an application to the Minister of Advanced Education and Technology.
Industry, represented by a Provisional Committee, and the Apprenticeship and Industry Board define the standards for training and certification that will be required for the trade or occupation.
Based on recommendations of industry and the Board, the Minister and Cabinet approve the standards and regulations for the designated trade or occupation.
Cabinet, with the approval of the Lieutenant Governor in Council, designates the trade or occupation.
For more information see the Designation of Trades and Occupations – Information Package.
