Available Intakes
Overview
Learn how to set up and operate precision metal cutting and grinding machines such as lathes, milling machines, drills and grinders to make and repair products made from metals, plastics, rubber textiles, fibreglass and space-age alloys.
You'll work according to very precise specifications. You’ll determine dimensions by logic or by measuring samples using instruments such as micrometers and calipers. Electronic instruments have digital readouts and require the operator to program them for use.
Throughout a project, you will study specifications, charts, drawings or sample parts to determine the machining operation to be performed, calculate dimensions and tolerances and prepare working sketches if necessary. You'll measure and mark metal and other materials, set up and operate tools, which may be computer numerically controlled, to perform precision machining operations and fit parts to mechanisms and verify dimensions.
Is this the right fit for me?
Machinists are skilled tradepeople who are self-motivated and get excited about working on leading edge machinery. This line of work is most fulfilling for those who enjoy being creative work with precision.
To thrive in this career, it is important to have the following traits:
- interest in design and creativity
- willingness to learn new technology and production trends
- proficient hand dexterity and speed
- mechanical aptitude
- ability to accurately estimate and measure sizes and lengths for precise work
- Capacity to work independently on tasks that require high concentration and physical effort
- endurance to stand for long periods of time
- 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.
Alongside a journeypersons ticket, graduating Machinist apprentices will receive an Advanced Diploma from Alberta Advanced Education as an acknowledgment of completing a post-secondary program of study.
Machinists are a Red Seal Endorsed trade — a recognizable standard that allows tradespeople to work across Canada.
Career opportunities
As a machinist, you will work on a job or production shop. In job shops, you will make a wide variety of repair parts for different types of machinery and industrial equipment in different situations. In production shops, you will produce parts using mass-production methods including CNC machining and other tools. You will likely work in a fast-paced environment. In Alberta, small production runs are more typical. Almost all workshops will have art machines or machines where technology is required and will work in a noisy or dusty environment. Your day will include a lot of standing as you work on different projects.
After becoming a journeyperson, you may advance to positions such as quality assurance managers, engineers, lead hands and supervisors. 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.;
Admission requirements
Government investment creates 134 new apprenticeship seats at SAIT
SAIT is set to receive a more than $900,000 investment from the Government of Alberta to support apprenticeship education through the creation of 134 new seats across eight programs for the skilled trades.
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
- 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 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 16, 2023.
| Period | Start date | End date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | May 1, 2023 | June 23, 2023 |
| 3 | Aug. 28, 2023 | Oct. 20, 2023 |
| 2 | Oct. 23, 2023 | Dec. 15, 2023 |
| 1 | Jan. 2, 2024 | Feb. 23, 2024 |
| 4 | April 29, 2024 | June 21, 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 machinist is four years (four 12-month periods) including a minimum of 1560 hours of on-the-job training and eight weeks of apprenticeship education each year.
You will start by learning safety and measurements. You will then learn machine tools, trade math and print reading.
You will learn metallurgy and heat treatment, tooling, machine tools, trade math and print reading.
You will learn computer numerical control machines (CNC), machine tools, trade math as well as computer aided design and manufacturing.
You will learn computer numerical control machining centers, machine tools, computer aided design and manufacturing as well as metrology, coaching and governance.
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.
