
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/credits successfully completed per semester.
Program menu
Overview
Learn how to design, fabricate, assemble, install and repair the 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, numerically-controlled or computerized equipment, hand and power shears and 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 air handling equipment, furnaces, fans, air terminal devices and split system air conditioners.
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, air-veyor 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 B license at the end of your training which allows you to install and service all gas appliances 4,000 BTU's and under as well as install air conditioners 5 tons and under.
Is this the right fit for me?
Students who have the following characteristics see greater success in the sheet metal trade:
- 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 a team
- a commitment to safe working conditions
Credentials
Upon successfully completing the required working hours and technical training periods, graduates will be awarded journeyperson status by Alberta’s Apprenticeship and Industry Training.
Sheet metal workers are a Red Seal Endorsed trade – a recognizable standard that allows tradespeople to work across Canada.
Alberta sheet metal apprenticeship programs include gasfitter - class B certification. This means sheet metal apprentices will have the interprovincial Red Seal gasfitter - class B exam as part of their fourth-period assessment.
Career opportunities
Start your career by finding an employer who is willing to indenture you as an apprentice or gain experience with our Pre-Employment Sheet Metal program.
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: $1,521
- Period 2: $1,521
*Tuition, fees, books and supply costs are subject to change
Requirements
Entrance requirements for all apprenticeship programs are set by Apprenticeship and Industry Training.
When can you apply?
Registration for the 2022/23 academic year opens May 19, 2022.
Period | Start date | End date |
---|---|---|
1, 2, 3, or 4 | Aug. 29, 2022 | Nov. 4, 2022 |
1, 2, 3, or 4 | Nov. 7, 2022 | Jan. 27, 2023 |
1, 2, 3, or 4 | Jan. 30, 2023 | April 6, 2023 |
1, 2, 3, or 4 | April 17, 2023 | June 23, 2023 |
Admission and completion
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 technical training 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 wordker is 4 years (four 12-month periods) including a minimum of 1500 hours of on-the-job training and 10 weeks of technical training each year.
Technical training performance
To be successful in technical training, 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 Trade Qualification 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 |
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.