Available Intakes
Overview
Learn to build and repair custom or production-type fixtures and furniture made of wood or wood substitutes with both manual and CNC machinery.
As a cabinetmaker, you will build wood units, create detailed drawings, make layouts and patterns, set up and operate woodworking equipment before cutting, shaping, moulding and assembling components. During assembly, you will use glue, clamps, dowels, nails and screws to secure pieces together. You will also apply veneer, finishing products or apply plastic laminates.
During your career, you will need to estimate materials, select woods or other materials and consult with customers on projects. With furniture, you may do refinishing or restoration work and installations of cabinetry and millwork. You will use a variety of tools, including manual or hand tools as well as Computer Numerical Controlled (CNC) equipment.
Is this the right fit for me?
Cabinetmakers are skilled tradespeople who have a knack for creativity, are self-motivated, and enjoy working collaboratively with others.
To thrive in this career, it is important to have the following traits:
- the ability to understand and interpret drawings, blueprints, and other specifications to visualize the final product
- creativity to come up with unique designs or solutions
- the ability to adapt to unexpected challenges and solve problems
- excellent communication skills and a dedication to providing excellent customer service
- attention to detail and a desire to produce high-quality, precise work
- good eyesight to identify surface imperfections and select suitable woods
- good hand-eye coordination and manual dexterity to work with precision tools
- a strong commitment to maintaining a safe and healthy work environment
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.
Cabinetmaking is a Red Seal Endorsed trade – a recognizable standard that allows tradespeople to work across Canada.
Career opportunities
As a cabinetmaker, you will work indoors, often in a shop environment or installations in residential or commercial properties.
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.
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.
Meet the Makers
SAIT celebrates alumni winner and nominees in the first Made in Alberta Awards
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 10-2
- Math 10-3
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 20 OR Chemistry 20 OR Science 20
- Related career and technology studies (CTS) courses
When do classes start?
Registration for the 2023/24 academic year opens May 9, 2023.
| Period | Start date | End date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Aug. 28, 2023 | Oct. 20, 2023 |
| 2 | Oct. 23, 2023 | Dec. 15, 2023 |
| 3 | Jan. 2, 2024 | Feb. 23, 2024 |
| 4 | Feb. 26, 2024 | April 19, 2024 |
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 a cabinetmaker is 4 years (four 12-month periods), including a minimum of 1360 hours of on-the-job training and 8 weeks of classroom instruction at SAIT each year.
You will then learn materials and hardware, equipment, machine use, assembly, procedures, wood finishing, drawing interpretation and material calculations.
You will then learn materials, packing, shipping and stairs, design theory, shop procedures, machines and equipment procedures, commercial drawings as well as stair and industry related calculations.
You will learn business practices and workplace coaching skills, wood finishing, drawing interpretation and shop drawings, construction of industry projects, as well as job costing and material estimating.
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 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.
