BUILD YOUR FUTURE FROM THE GROUnd UP
A career in the trades comes with plenty of opportunities, like apprenticeships.
Apprenticeships let you earn while you learn, gaining real-world experience alongside trained professionals. You’ll master in-demand skills, get paid to do it, and work toward a journeyperson ticket that opens doors across Alberta and beyond. Whether you’re into building, wiring, piping, or managing projects, there’s a path that fits. And the best part?
You don’t have to figure it out alone. Below, we’ve broken down the apprenticeship process step by step, so you can stop wondering how to get started, and start building a career that lasts.
Apprenticeships let you earn while you learn, gaining real-world experience alongside trained professionals. You’ll master in-demand skills, get paid to do it, and work toward a journeyperson ticket that opens doors across Alberta and beyond. Whether you’re into building, wiring, piping, or managing projects, there’s a path that fits. And the best part?
You don’t have to figure it out alone. Below, we’ve broken down the apprenticeship process step by step, so you can stop wondering how to get started, and start building a career that lasts.
Step 1: Take the Right High School Courses
Start by completing high school with a focus on math, science, and shop or construction classes. These give you a head start and show employers you’re serious about the trades.
Step 2: Find an Employer (Your Sponsor)
Next, you’ll need to find a certified tradesperson or company to hire you as an apprentice. This is your sponsor—they’ll teach you on the job and officially register your apprenticeship.
Step 3: Learn While You Work
Once hired, you’ll begin working full-time and logging your hours. Each trade has a required number of hours per year, and this hands-on learning is key to building your skills.
Step 4: Register for Trade School
Through AIT you can review and register for a trade school program. It is important to get on this early as some of the more popular programs fill up quickly
step 5: Attend Trade School (Technical Training)
After working a while, you’ll go to school for 6-8 weeks. Here, you’ll learn the theory behind the trade (from safety rules to blueprints) write your Branch exam, then head back to work equipped with new knowledge.
step 6: Cycle Between Work and School
You’ll return to work to log more hours, then head back to school again. This pattern repeats over 2–4 years, depending on the trade. Each round builds on the last.
step 7: Earn Your Journeyperson Ticket
After completing all required hours and school terms, you’ll take a final exam. Pass it, and you become a certified journeyperson that is qualified, recognized, and ready to build your future.
BENEFITS OF THE TRADES
In the trades, you don’t have to choose between a steady paycheck, a meaningful career, and a future you’re proud of — you get it all!
Here’s a few reasons why a career in residential construction comes with no trade offs.
Here’s a few reasons why a career in residential construction comes with no trade offs.
Camaraderie:
You’ll be part of a tight-knit crew where mentorship is built into the job, and everyone learns by working together.
In-Demand:
Skilled trades are always needed, giving you long-term job security and steady opportunities across the province.
Earn While You Learn:
Start working and getting paid right away, with a fast track to financial independence, no waiting years to get ahead.
Meaningful Work:
You’ll build things people depend on every day, and go home knowing your work made a real impact.
Career Advancement:
Promotions come from skill, not politics, so how far you go in your career is entirely up to you.
Grants and Support:
With financial support and low training costs, you can launch your career without the burden of student debt.
JOB BOARDS
Ready to put your skills to work? Our job board features real opportunities in residential home building across Alberta. Whether you're just starting out or looking for your next role, you’ll find openings that match your path.
No waiting. No searching. Just real jobs that are ready when you are.
No waiting. No searching. Just real jobs that are ready when you are.
