
Available Intakes
Delivery options
On-Campus Day* - Your course activity is done in-person Monday - Friday, before 6 PM.
On-Campus Evening/Weekend - Your course activity is done in person on weekdays from 6 PM or later, or Saturdays and Sundays.
Online Day* - Your course activity is done online Monday - Friday, before 6 PM.
Online Evening/Weekend - Your course activity is done online on weekdays from 6 PM or later, or Saturdays and Sundays.
Online Flexible Delivery - Your course activity is not scheduled and therefore you can determine when to do the coursework.
Blended Delivery - Both On-Campus and Online - Some of your coursework will be in-person, on-campus and some will be done online.
* There may be circumstances that require some day delivery of classes to be scheduled into the evenings.
Please note due to the COVID-19 pandemic, these delivery options may shift from term to term. Please consult your program for details on delivery options.
Program length
Estimated program length is based on the recommended course load per semester as outlined in the Courses tab.
Actual program length will vary based on the number of courses registered in and successfully completed per semester.
Learn more about program length on SAIT Credentials and the Academic Calendar.
International Students
This program meets the eligibility criteria for the Post-Graduation Work Permit program for international students as long as the student is enrolled in the on-campus delivery mode or completes more than 50% of the courses on campus (for the blended option).
International students attending all classes online will NOT be eligible for a Post-Graduate Work Permit. International students are responsible for maintaining their eligibility throughout their studies.
International Students
This program is available to international students, however, program availability may be limited. This program does not meet the eligibility criteria for the Post-Graduation Work Permit program.
Program menu
Overview
Learn how to design, fabricate, assemble, install and repair sheet metal products required in a wide variety of industries and settings.
If you desire a career where you will work with your hands and develop special skills that can be used in a variety of industries, you will enjoy working as a Sheet Metal Worker.
During your career, you will:
- layout, measure and mark dimensions and reference lines on sheet metal according to drawings or templates
- use laser or plasma cutting equipment, hand and power shears, snips and light metal-working equipment to cut, drill or punch, bend and shape sheet metal
- fasten with bolts, screws, cement, rivets, adhesives, solder or by welding
- install and repair sheet metal products and ensure installations conform to specifications and building codes
- do metal cladding of insulated piping and equipment on industrial sites
- manufacture and install flashing, coping for roofing applications and supply.
- install, service and repair on air handling equipment, furnaces, fans, air terminal devices and split system air conditioners.
- install any gas appliance 400,000 BTU’s and smaller such as furnaces, hot water tanks, barbeques, stoves and garage heaters.
You will use many types of metal including black and galvanized steel, copper, brass, nickel, stainless steel and aluminum to make products such as:
- pollution control systems, dust collecting and control systems, air-slide, grain spouting material blowing, and other air systems
- heating, ventilating and air conditioning systems
- solar heating and cooling systems and all integral equipment
- metal showcases, display neon and metal sign equipment
- metal cabinets, custom-built tables, counters and fixtures for hospitals, kitchen equipment and items for the food service and beverage industry
- electrical panels and related equipment
- dairy, brewery and laboratory equipment
- metal shelving, lockers, window frames, metal doors and frames, toilet partitions
- flashing, coping, troughing and roof drainage systems
- custom or small run fabrication of a variety of sheet metal items.
This is a compulsory trade - to work in this trade you need to hold a recognized trade certificate or be a registered apprentice.
You will also be credited with a Gas - Class B license at the end of your training which allows you to install and service all gas appliances 400,000 BTU's and under as well as install air conditioners 5 tons and under.
Is this the right fit for me?
Sheet metal workers are skilled tradespeople who like collaborating with others and working independently. This line of work is most fulfilling for those who enjoy working with their hands, in a variety of environments and developing specialized skills.
To thrive in this career, it is important to have the following traits:
- creative problem solvers
- mechanical aptitude
- good eye-hand coordination, spatial and form perception, good eyesight, strength and stamina to carry heavy tools and manual dexterity
- the ability to visualize a finished product from a document
- a good understanding of practical mathematics, geometry, and document reading
- the ability to stand for long periods
- patience, dependability and accuracy
- the ability to work in a construction or shop environment
- good communication skills
- the ability to work alone or as part of a team
- a commitment to safe working conditions
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.
This is a Red Seal Endorsed trade – a recognizable standard that allows tradespeople to work across Canada.
Career opportunities
As a sheet metal worker, you will be employed by sheet metal, air-conditioning and heating contractors involved in residential, commercial and industrial construction. You will do a lot of custom fabrication to match job requirements. Depending on the project requirements, you may work indoors or outdoors. You will do some of the production in a shop environment and install them at a construction site. Other projects, such as roofing and siding, will be measured and cut on site.
After becoming a journeyperson, you may advance to specialists in design and layout work or in estimating the cost of installations or supervisory positions. 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 per year*
- Period 1: $1,657
- Period 2: $1,657
- Period 3: $1,657
- Period 4: $1,657
Requirements
Entrance requirements for all apprenticeship programs are set by Apprenticeship and Industry Training.
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
When do classes start?
Registration for the 2023/24 academic year opens May 18, 2023.
Period | Start date | End date |
---|---|---|
1, 2, 3, or 4 | Aug. 28, 2023 | Nov. 3, 2023 |
1, 2, 3, or 4 | Nov. 6, 2023 | Jan. 26, 2024 |
1, 2, 3, or 4 | Jan. 29, 2024 | April 5, 2024 |
1, 2, 3, or 4 | April 15, 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 sheet metal worker is four years (four 12-month periods) including a minimum of 1500 hours of on-the-job training and 10 weeks of classroom instruction each year.
You will start by learning about safety, tools and equipment. You will then learn duct construction using simple and conical line pattern development, residential HVAC drawings and residential HVAC installation.
You will learn fabrication using parallel line pattern development, light commercial HVAC and HVAC heating aplliance installation.
You will learn GTAW welding and plasma cutting, duct construction using triangulation pattern development as well as commercial HVAC.
You will then learn advanced fabrication, commercial and industrial HVAC, refrigeration and diagnostics.
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 | $1,200 | $231 | $90 | $1,521 |
2 | $1,200 | $231 | $90 | $1,521 |
3 | $1,200 | $231 | $90 | $1,521 |
4 | $1,200 | $231 | $90 | $1,521 |
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 | 10 | $1,320 | $247 | $90 | $1,657 |
2 | 10 | $1,320 | $247 | $90 | $1,657 |
3 | 10 | $1,320 | $247 | $90 | $1,657 |
4 | 10 | $1,320 | $247 | $90 | $1,657 |
What your SAIT fees pay for
Student support fee: supports student services and resources to help you succeed throughout your academic career, including services such as Career Advancement Services, and Student Development and Counselling.
Student technology fee: supports improvements to cybersecurity to protect student and institutional information, access to learning material outside the classroom, and technology to enhance the student experience.
Campus recreation fee: supports the provision of recreation and fitness facilities, movement classes, wellness programs, student events, intermural activities, varsity sports programs, and a variety of student engagement initiatives offered throughout the academic year. Exemptions to recreation fees are made in some circumstances.
Upass: provides you with unlimited access to Calgary Transit. Ineligible students are not required to pay this fee. Learn more about eligibility requirements.
Lab and materials fees: ensures SAIT labs and living classrooms have the required equipment and materials to support the necessary training for students.
Laundry fee: covers the cost of laundering the required uniforms. Applicable only to certain programs and apprenticeships.
Saitsa fees: supports the student-led, non-profit organization representing students. Fees support the operation of a variety of student services, activities, and programming.
Health and dental fees: provides access to thousands of dollars in coverage for prescription medication, dental treatments, paramedical services, and multiple other benefits. Domestic students with existing health and dental coverage may opt out. Find more details at saitsa.com/benefits.
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.