Available Intakes
Overview
Learn to perform preventative maintenance, diagnose faulty operations and repair automotive vehicles and light trucks. If you like problem-solving, performing precise work and working in a constantly evolving environment with independence, you'll enjoy the automotive service trade.
As an automotive service technician, you will adjust, test and repair engines, steering systems, braking systems, drive trains, vehicle suspensions, electrical systems and air-conditioning systems as well as complete wheel alignments. If you work in a larger shop, you may also specialize in repairing, rebuilding and servicing specific parts. If you work in a smaller shop, you may work on a wide variety of repair projects.
As an automotive service technician, you'll take in work orders and examine a vehicle to find the cause of faulty operations. You'll use testing equipment, take the vehicles for a test drive and refer to the manufacturers’ specifications before you dismantle faulty assembles, repair or replace worn or damaged parts before reassembling, adjusting and testing the repaired mechanism.
You may also perform scheduled maintenance services like oil changes, lubrications and tune-ups. Some Automotive Service Technicians also advise customers on the work they have performed, general vehicle conditions and future repair requirements.
To work in this trade, certification is required. This means that you must either be a registered apprentice who is working under the guidance of a certified journeyperson, or you must be a certified journeyperson yourself.
Is this the right fit for me?
To thrive in this career, it is important to have the following traits:
- strong customer service and communication skills
- detail-oriented with a desire to do precise work
- good hearing, eyesight, and manual dexterity
- mechanical aptitude and interest in the field
- passion to stay up-to-date with changing technology
- working knowledge of electricity and computers
- a commitment to safe work habits
Credentials
Upon successfully completing the required working hours and apprenticeship education periods, graduates will be awarded journeyperson status by Alberta’s Apprenticeship and Industry Training.
Automotive service technicians is a Red Seal Endorsed trade – a recognizable standard that allows tradespeople to work across Canada.
Career opportunities
Automotive Service Technicians are employed by automotive repair shops, specialty repair shops, service facilities, car and truck dealerships and by large organizations that own fleets of vehicles. You will work with power tools in a shop with automotive bays, often found in industrial settings, with exposure to noise from power tools and exhaust gases. Your career will be dynamic and you will be constantly adapting to industry changes and automotive design trends.
After becoming a journeyperson, you may advance to supervisory positions or take on new apprentices. Some journeypersons go on to run their own businesses – we can help you build your business with our Blue Seal business certificate.
When do classes start?
Registration for the 2023/24 academic year opened May 9, 2023.
| Period | Start date | End date |
|---|---|---|
| 1, 2, 3 or 4 | Aug. 28, 2023 | Oct. 20, 2023 |
| 1, 2, 3 or 4 | Oct. 23, 2023 | Dec. 15, 2023 |
| 1, 2*, 3 or 4 | Jan. 2, 2024 | Feb. 23, 2024 April 19, 2024 *blended students |
| 1 or 3 | Jan. 29, 2024 | March 22, 2024 |
| 1, 2, 3 or 4 | Feb. 26, 2024 | April 19, 2024 |
| 1, 2, 3, or 4 | April 29, 2024 | June 21, 2024 |
| 4 | July 2, 2024 | Aug. 23, 2024 |
SAIT programs benefit from apprenticeship funding
Trades cruise into the spotlight with an increase in apprenticeship opportunities and an annual day of celebration.
Admission requirements
To enter an apprenticeship, you must have the educational qualifications required or recommended education for the trade to which you apply.
Entrance requirements are monitored and set by Alberta Apprenticeship and Industry Training.
Minimum requirements
Successful completion of the following courses:
- English 20-2
- Math 20-3
- Science 10
OR
A pass mark in all five Canadian General Educational Development (GED) tests
OR
Alberta Apprenticeship and Industry Training Entrance Exam
Recommended path
Apprentices with an Alberta High School Diploma that includes the following courses:
- English 30-2
- Math 30-3
- Physics 30 OR Chemistry 30 OR Science 30
- Related career and technology studies (CTS) courses
How to register
Registration for apprenticeship education is run through Alberta Apprenticeship and Industry Training. Learn how you can register for your next intake.
Apprenticeship and Industry Training Client Services
1.800.248.4823
tradesecrets.alberta.ca
Suite 200 Willow Park Centre
10325 Bonaventure DR. SE
Calgary, AB
After you register
Email is the primary source of communication after you have registered for your intake. Please ensure your personal email account is managed appropriately to receive our emails, files and communications. We recommend you add the sait.ca domain to your safe senders' list or you risk missing critical email messages.
Training
The term of apprenticeship for an automotive service technician is four years (four 12-month periods) including a minimum of 1560 hours of on-the-job training and eight weeks of classroom instruction each year.
You will start by learning workplace safety, materials and tools. You will then learn suspension, steering, brake systems, electrical level one and basic maintenance.
You will learn engines, manual transmissions, transaxles and clutches, transfer cases, drive axle assemblies and electrical level two.
You will learn electrical level three, ignition systems, fuel systems, emission control systems and electrical systems diagnosis.
You will learn automatic transmissions and transaxles, diesel fuel systems, HVAC systems, hybrid electrical vehicles, workplace coaching skills, Red Seal standards as well as vehicle system management, integration and vehicle networks.
Apprenticeship education performance
To be successful in apprenticeship education, an apprentice must pass each section of the course and pass the AIT exam. The passing grade for each section in the course is a 65%. A passing mark on each provincial exam and the interprovincial qualification (or Red Seal Exam) is 70%.
Costs 2023/24
Tuition and fees*
The following costs are effective as of July 1, 2023.
| Period | Number of weeks | Tuition fees | SAIT fees | Saitsa fees | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 8 | $1,056 | $247 | $72 | $1,375 |
| 2 | 8 | $1,056 | $247 | $72 | $1,375 |
| 3 | 8 | $1,056 | $247 | $72 | $1,375 |
| 4 | 8 | $1,056 | $247 | $72 | $1,375 |
Fees breakdown
| SAIT fees | Cost per period |
|---|---|
| Lab and materials fee | $90 |
| Student support fee | $52.75 |
| Student technology fee | $52.75 |
| Campus recreation fee | $51.50 |
| Total | $247 |
Saitsa fee per week: $9
Learn more about what your fees are for
Books and supplies*
- Books or modules along with other items for class average out to $600 per period.
- It is recommended that you do not purchase books or modules ahead of time as they might be outdated by the time you attend classes and they cannot be returned to the bookstore.
- Personal protective equipment will be required for the program, which may be an additional cost to apprentices.
*Tuition, fees, books and supply costs are subject to change.
