Technical Training Centre - Paying for Training

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Tuition Fees

2012/2013 Tuition

August 2012 to July 2013: base tuition fee will be $96.50 per week ($772 for eight weeks of technical training) and $66.00 for materials.     

Apprentices also pay for books, parking, student association fees, facility fees, material and consumables during their technical training.

Click here for additional enrollment information for specific training institutions.

2011/2012 Tuition

August 2011 to July 2012: base tuition fee will be $95.00 per week ($760 for eight weeks of technical training) and $65.00 for materials.     

Apprentices also pay for books, parking, student association fees, facility fees, material and consumables during their technical training.

Click here for additional enrollment information for specific training institutions.

Financial Assistance

There are a variety of ways that apprentices can help pay for their technical training and living expenses, including:

• Employment Insurance benefits
  • Information for Apprentices
  • Information for Employers
• Grants
• Scholarships

For more information on financial assistance visit the Student Awards/Financial Aid office at your training institution or visit the ALIS website at www.alis.alberta.ca/et/fo/funding-post-sec.html

Employment Insurance (EI)

Information for Apprentices

Although every effort is made to ensure that the information on this page is accurate, readers should consult www.servicecanada.gc.ca, which is the official source of information about Employment Insurance. '

To be considered for EI Benefits while attending apprentice training, you must:

• Be registered as an apprentice with Alberta Apprenticeship and Industry Training.
• Apply for EI benefits as soon as you stop working. Apprentices can apply online up to 7 days prior to the scheduled last day of work.
• Have worked enough hours to establish a claim for benefits
• Not be subject to any conditions that would prevent payment (i.e. quit without just cause, fired for misconduct)

NOTE: If you applied for or are receiving EI benefits prior to training, you are required to contact the EI call center at 1-800-206-7218 to provide your reference code and course information.

Waiting Period:

If this is the first time you are applying as an apprentice, you will be required to serve a two-week non-paid waiting period. The two-week waiting period may be waived on subsequent EI applications made to attend apprentice training in the same program.

Applying for Benefits:

• Apprentices can apply up to 7 days prior to their course start date.
• Click here for the online Employment Insurance application form.
• You will need an Apprentice Reference Code (ARC) to access the application. Your ARC will be provided to you by the training institution on behalf of Service Canada.
• During the application process you will be asked: Are you part of a group of employees under an Apprenticeship or Worksharing Program or part of a group layoff situation, AND were you given a reference code to submit this application? Answer “Yes” and then enter your ARC.
• Be sure to keep the confirmation number provided at the end of the application process for your records.

NOTE:

• If your home address is different from the mailing address you will be using while attending training, you must include BOTH addresses on your application.  Enter your temporary address when asked for your mailing address and your home address when asked for your residential address.

Record of Employment (ROE):

All Records of Employment (ROE’s) issued by all employers you have worked for during the last 52 weeks are required to establish your claim. You must mail or deliver all paper ROE to Service Canada. Some employers submit ROE information directly to Service Canada over the internet.  Note: your claim cannot be approved without your ROE’s.

IF YOU REQUIRE FURTHER INFORMATION:

• Review the Federal-Provincial Programs and Funding document for the latest information

• Call Service Canada Employment Insurance staff 1-800-206-7218

• Visit the Service Canada Employment Insurance website www.servicecanada.gc.ca/eng/sc/ei

• Visit the Service Canada Employment Insurance FAQs www.servicecanada.gc.ca/eng/ei/faq/faq_online.shtml

Information for Employers

Although every effort is made to ensure that the information on this page is accurate, readers should consult www.servicecanada.gc.ca, which is the official source of information about Employment Insurance.

Record of Employment (ROE):

Your employee cannot be paid until their ROE is received by Service Canada. It is very important that your apprentice receives the ROE as soon as possible after the last day of work or, if you have registered for Web ROE that you submit the ROE information as soon as possible. Further information on ROE Completion please see Service Canada website at http://www.servicecanada.gc.ca/eng/ei/employers/roew.shtml.

Apprentices can only collect EI benefits for periods where they have not caused their own unemployment. If the apprentice takes time off prior to training, the employer must be sure to indicate the correct reason for leaving.

EI payments are commonly delayed due to:

• Delay in receiving the ROE, or
• ROE is received with errors that require follow up with the employer. 

As an employer, you can reduce these delays by ensuring the correct reason codes are used.  
Reason Codes:

• “A” (shortage of work) should be used when the work period ended as a result of a lack of work, end of contract, end of season, a temporary shutdown of operations or any other reason equivalent to a shortage of work.
• “J” (apprenticeship) should be used when the apprentice will be off work for only the time period required to attend the apprenticeship technical training as approved by the apprenticeship authority and the employer.
• “C” (return to school) should be used to reflect when an employee decides to leave work voluntarily, without the approval of the employer to attend training (non apprenticeship).
• “N” (leave of absence) should be used when an employee decides to take a leave of absence for a time period before the start of apprentice training without approval or recommendation to do so by the apprenticeship authority.

WEB ROE

Employers are encouraged to use the WEB ROE website to:

• identify errors on the ROE
• submit the ROE directly to Service Canada, helping to speed up payment of EI benefits

For More Information:

• Record of Employment Assistance: 1-800-367-5693
• How to complete an ROE: www.servicecanada.gc.ca/eng/ei/employers/roe_guide.shtml
• Employment Insurance (EI) information for employers www.hrsdc.gc.ca/en/ei/publications/pubindex.shtml#employers

Grants

Apprentices who can demonstrate need may qualify for grants from the Alberta Works program of Alberta Employment and Immigration to help pay for tuition, books, supplies and living expenses. Grants do not have to be repaid.

Information and application forms are available from:

• Alberta Works
• Alberta Apprenticeship and Industry Training Offices
• Human Services - Apprenticeship Grant
• Training provider offering technical training for apprentices

The Government of Canada also offers assistance to those involved in apprenticeship training.

• Apprenticeship Incentive Grant
• Apprenticeship Completion Grant
• Tradesperson's Tools Deduction

Scholarships

Apprentices can apply for scholarships from a variety of sources including government, post-secondary institutions, private industry and service organizations. Scholarships do not have to be repaid.

Registered Apprenticeship Program (RAP) / Career and Technology Studies (CTS) Scholarships:

• Recognize accomplishments of Alberta high school students in RAP and CTS apprenticeship pathways
• Encourage students to continue their apprenticeship training after high school
• Up to 500 RAP/CTS Scholarships of $1000 will be available this year

Alberta Apprenticeship and Industry Training Scholarships:

• Recognize excellence of Alberta apprentices in a trade, and trainees in a designated occupation
• Encourage recipients to complete their apprenticeship or occupational training programs.
• Over 340 scholarships of $1000 will be available this year

Pre-Apprentice Scholarships:

• Encourage students who are completing pre-apprenticeship programs to continue in the trades and complete their apprenticeship training
• 11 scholarships of $1000 will be available this year

Top Apprentice Scholarships:

• Recognize apprentices who have achieved both a very high academic standing in their technical training and a strong employer recommendation
• Apprentices do not apply for these scholarships. The Alberta Apprenticeship and Industry Training Board determines the top apprentice for each scholarship based on apprentices' technical training marks and other criteria set forth by the donor
• 13 scholarships of $1500 will be available this year

Alexander Rutherford Scholarships:

• Recognize and reward exceptional achievement in high school
• Encourage students to continue their studies
• For more information contact Alberta Scholarship Programs at 780-427-8640

Training providers and trade related associations also offer scholarships. For more information, contact the institution or association directly.

FAQ

Who sets apprentice tuition fees?
The Minister of Enterprise and Advanced Education sets apprentice tuition fees.  Industry provides input through the Alberta Apprenticeship and Industry Training Board.

Where do my fees go?
Tuition fees are paid to the training providers that deliver the technical training.  Revenue gained by the training providers helps offset the costs of delivery and helps ensure apprenticeship technical training and equipment remain current.

Do I have to pay any other costs or fees?
In addition to tuition fees, apprentices pay for books, parking, student association fees, facility fees, material and consumables used in delivery of their technical training.

Am I eligible for financial assistance?
Apprentices who can demonstrate need may qualify for grants from the Alberta Works program of Alberta Employment and Immigration to help pay for tuition, books, supplies and living expenses.  Grants do NOT have to be repaid.

Information and application forms are available from any:

• Alberta Works
• Alberta Apprenticeship and Industry Training Office
• Alberta Service Centre or Canada-Alberta Service Centre
• Training provider offering technical training for apprentices

What other kinds of financial support are available?
Employment insurance is available for eligible apprentices.  Apprentices have to serve only one two-week waiting period for the first employment insurance application.

Scholarships are also available from the Alberta Apprenticeship and Industry Training Board.

The Government of Canada also offers assistance to those involved in apprenticeship training.

• Tradesperson's Tools Deduction
• Apprenticeship Incentive Grant
• Apprenticeship Completion Grant

What portion of the cost of technical training does the tuition fee I pay cover?
The fee you pay represents about 13% of the total cost of apprenticeship technical training.

How do tuition fees contribute to making my education a better learning experience, and make me a better trained journeyperson?
Tuition fees help ensure apprenticeship technical training and equipment remain current.  Alberta’s apprenticeship and industry training system provides quality technical training that delivers a good return on investment.  The goal is to maintain this high-quality training while addressing rising costs of delivering programs and the growing number of apprentices.