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 in order to locate 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 you have performed, general vehicle conditions and future repair requirements.
This is a compulsory trade - to work in this trade you need to hold a recognized trade certificate or be a registered apprentice.
Is this the right fit for me?
Students who have the following characteristics see greater success in the automotive service trade:
- good customer service and communication skills
- an eye for detail and a desire to do precise work
- good hearing eyesight and manual dexterity
- mechanical aptitude and interest
- passion to keep 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
Start your career by finding an employer who is willing to indenture you as an apprentice or gain experience with our Automotive Service Technology or Pre-Employment Automotive Service Technician programs.
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 SAIT Continuing Education business courses to obtain Alberta Apprenticeship and Industry Training’s Blue Seal certificate.
Tuition and fees 2023/24
- Period 1: $1,375
- Period 2: $1,375
- Period 3: $1,375
- Period 4: $1,375
Requirements
Entrance requirements for all apprenticeship programs are set by Apprenticeship and Industry Training.
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.
When do classes start?
Registration for the 2022/23 academic year will open May 10, 2022.
| Period | Start date | End date |
|---|---|---|
| 1, 2, 3 or 4 | Aug. 29, 2022 | Oct. 21, 2022 |
| 1, 2, 3 or 4 | Oct. 24, 2022 | Dec. 16, 2022 |
| 1, 2*, 3* or 4 | Jan. 3, 2023 | Feb. 24, 2023 April 21, 2023 (*blended students) |
| 3 or 4 | Jan. 30, 2023 | March 24, 2023 |
| 1, 2, 3 or 4 | Feb. 27, 2023 | April 21, 2023 |
| 1, 2, 3, or 4 | May 1, 2023 | June 23, 2023 |
Training
The term of apprenticeship for an automotive service technician is 4 years (four 12-month periods) including a minimum of 1560 hours of on-the-job training and 8 weeks of apprenticeship education each year.
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 Exam and the Interprovincial Qualification (or Red Seal Exam) is 70%.
Costs 2022/23
Tuition and fees*
| Period | Tuition fees | SAIT fees | Saitsa fees | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | $960 | $231 | $72 | $1,263 |
| 2 | $960 | $231 | $72 | $1,263 |
| 3 | $960 | $231 | $72 | $1,263 |
| 4 | $960 | $231 | $72 | $1,263 |
SAIT fees
Campus recreation fee: $49
Lab and material fee: $82
Student support fee: $50
Student technology fee: $50
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.
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.
