Overview
The Pre-Employment Pipetrades program is designed to offer an alternate route to those looking to enter into the pipe trades.
Over the course of this 12-week program, you are taught the skills and theory of the first period of apprenticeship education for the common year of Gasfitter, Plumber, and Steamfitter-Pipefitter apprenticeship programs along with additional safety and tools training necessary for the industry.
As a Pre-Employment Pipetrades student, you will learn to lay out, assemble, fabricate, maintain and repair piping systems that carry water, steam, chemicals or fuel used in heating, cooling, lubricating and other processes. You will learn the skills needed to become a Gasfitter, Plumber or Steamfitter-Pipefitter.
For plumbing, you will learn how to plan, install and service plumbing systems, fixtures, piping equipment, and controls. These piping systems may be used to transport water, waste, gases or hot liquids.
Steamfitter-pipefitter is a pipe trade that deals with the installation, maintenance, and repair of piping systems, but differs from other pipe trades in relation to where the work is performed, the types of piping involved, and the training that is required. You will learn to install a typical piping system in a commercial building or industrial plant, study blueprints, drawings, and specifications to determine the type of pipe and tools to use, and lay out the sequence of tasks.
For Gasfitting, you will learn to set up propane equipment ranging from residential furnaces to industrial boilers. Gasfitters employed by utility companies repair and extend gas mains and install, repair, and service pipes and fittings between mains and buildings.
Upon successful completion of this 12-week program, you may be eligible to write the first-period pipe trades exam from Apprenticeship and Industry Training (AIT) at an additional cost.
Credentials
Upon successful completion of the program, students will receive a SAIT certificate and may be eligible to challenge the written and practical exams for the first-year apprenticeship.
Following graduation, you will have a lot of different options for employment. You may decide to work as a gasfitter, plumber, or steamfitter-pipefitter. It will be your responsibility to find an employer who will indenture you as an apprentice.
Get more information about this and similar programs
Career opportunities
Graduates can pursue entry-level positions in pipeline construction, thermal or steam generation plants, manufacturing facilities, residential or industrial plumbing companies, gas plants, and more. Graduates need to find workplaces that will indenture them as either a gasfitter, plumber or steamfitter-pipefitter apprentice.
Potential career include:
- steamfitter-pipefitter journeyperson
- gasfitter journeyperson
- plumber journeyperson
- supervisory positions or business owner
- plumber
- gasfitter
- insulator
- steamfitter-pipefitter
Tuition and fees
Domestic 2022/23
- Year 1: $5,645
Final costs are dependent on the number of course credits a student takes per semester.
This program is eligible for Canada Alberta Job Grant funding
Requirements
You will be offered admission to this program through direct entry if you meet the admission requirements and space is available.
When do classes start?
| Classes begin | Year start date | Year-end date |
|---|---|---|
| Fall 2022 | Sept. 6, 2022 | Nov. 25, 2022 |
| Winter 2023 | Jan. 9, 2023 | March 31, 2023 |
| Winter 2023 | April 3, 2023 | June 23, 2023 |
Admission requirements
Application dates
Applications are accepted until the program start date but are subject to change.
- Fall 2022 start: applications opened on Oct. 6, 2021.
- Winter 2023: applications opened on March 31, 2022.
Program requirements
Successful completion of the following courses or equivalents:
- Math 20-1, Math 20-2, Math 20-3 AND,
- English Language Arts 20-1 or English Language Arts 20-2, AND,
- Science 10
- A pass mark in the SAIT Admission Examination (level 4) is accepted in lieu of the above requirements.
Note: General Educational Development (GED) tests are not accepted in lieu of the admission requirements.
All applicants must demonstrate English language proficiency prior to admission, including students educated in Canada.
SAIT accepts high school course equivalents for admission. If you don't meet the requirements, consider Academic Upgrading.
SAIT evaluates international documents for admissions. After you've applied, consider our international document assessment service if your education is from outside of Canada.
Direct entry: Four-step process
Step 1: Read the program information to see the qualities needed for student success.
Step 2: Ensure that you meet all of the admission requirements listed above.
Step 3: Apply to Pre-Employment Pipetrades and submit your transcripts and/or anticipated final grades.
- Admission will be extended on a first-qualified, first-offered basis until the program is full.
Step 4: Find out how to monitor your application status.
Communication during admission
Email is the primary source of communication during the selection process. Ensure your personal email account is managed appropriately to receive our emails, files and communications. We recommend you add the construction.advising@sait.ca domain to your safe senders' list or you risk missing critical email messages.
Courses
Program Outline
Looking for course descriptions and requisites? Visit the course catalogue
| Course Code | Course Name | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| APPH-202 | Calculations and Science | 1.5 |
| BLPR-232 | Drawings and Specifications | 1.5 |
| EMTL-214 | Equipment and Materials | 3.0 |
| PIPE-215 | Pipe Shop | 3.0 |
| SFTY-202 | Safety and Rigging | 1.5 |
| WFAB-201 | Metal Fabrication | 1.5 |
| Total Credits | 12.0 |
Progression
Students must attain a PGPA and/or a CGPA of 2.0 or better in each semester and pass the necessary prerequisite courses to progress through the program. To qualify for graduation, students must pass all courses, attain a CGPA of 2.0 or better and complete course requirements within the prescribed timelines.
Transfer Options
The opportunity to advance your education through transfer in, within or on from SAIT is available. Visit transfer options to learn more.
Costs 2022/23
Domestic tuition and fees
Cost per credit: $458
| Year | Number of semesters | Tuition fees | SAIT fees | Saitsa fees* | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | $5,496 | $149 | n/a | $5,645 |
SAIT fees
- Campus athletic and recreation fee: $49
- Universal transit pass (Upass): n/a
- Student support fee: $50
- Student technology fee: $50
This program is eligible for Canada Alberta Job Grant funding
Saitsa fees
Student Association fees
Students registered in pre-employment programs do not pay student association fees.
Health and dental fees
Students registered in pre-employment programs are not eligible for health and dental plans.
Books and supplies*
Books and supplies are approximately $1,000 per full-time year.
For an estimate of the costs associated with purchasing a computer that meets the program's hardware and software requirements, see our computers and laptops page.
Learn more about tuition and financial aid.
*Tuition, fees, books and supply costs are subject to change.
Next steps for incoming students
Have you been accepted to this program? Here's what you'll need for your first day of classes.
Orientation date
Program orientation details will be announced shortly. Check your schedule in mySAIT for the time and location details.
Learn more about our campus orientation.
How to register for classes
Course registration opens on Tuesday, Nov. 15 for Winter 2023.
You’ll receive an email from us indicating what registration process you’ll use to enroll in your classes.
Learn more about how to register and the different registration methods used at SAIT.
Computers and laptops
This is a bring your own device program with a standard hardware and software requirement. See the specific requirements on our computers and laptops page.
Required personal protective equipment (PPE)
- CSA-approved eye protection
- CSA-approved steel toe boots
- Gloves (standard work gloves of your choice, leather gauntlet style for hot work)
Preparation courses
To support your success, short courses are available to you to help prepare you for the academic year:
PERS 050: Student Rights and Responsibilities
This course is designed to introduce you to student rights and responsibilities at SAIT. You will learn about SAIT's rich and diverse community, become familiar with guidelines and procedures that create a safe, respectful learning experience for you, and gain practical tips for how you can engage in the SAIT community in a positive and responsible way. PRES-050 must be completed within 30 days from the start of the semester.
PREP 145: Orientation for Apprentices
PREP 145 is a free study skills course for apprentices and pre-employment students. Discover your learning style, develop memory techniques, learn effective ways to conquer your modules, get tips on how to write multiple-choice tests, and prepare for your apprenticeship exam. Course completion is recommended at the beginning of your first semester.
Required textbooks
Find your booklist on the SAIT Bookstore's website. The booklist will be available closer to the program start date.
Can’t find your program or course? The bookstore didn't receive a textbook list. Contact your program directly to determine if they’re still refining course details or if you're in luck, no textbook purchase required this term.
Contact
Phone: 403.284.8367
Email: construction.info@sait.ca
Academic Chair
Derrick Moore, Academic Chair
Email: derrick.moore@sait.ca
Next steps for all students
Here's what else you'll need to do to get ready!
Next steps for accepted students
Important dates and deadlines
Find important dates applicable to all students, including your transcript and tuition payment deadlines on our Important Dates page.
