Overview
Learn to layout, assemble, fabricate, maintain and repair piping systems which carry water, steam, chemicals or fuel used in heating, cooling, lubricating and other processes.
If you like to work with your hands at physically demanding tasks independently, you will enjoy a career as a steamfitter-pipefitter.
To install a typical piping system in a commercial building or industrial plant, you will study blueprints, drawings and specifications to determine the type of pipe and tools to use and layout the sequence of tasks.
During your career, you will sometimes make detailed sketches for pipe and equipment fabrication and installation. You will measure, cut, thread, groove, bend, assemble and install metal, plastic and fibreglass pipes, valves and fittings, join pipe sections, and related equipment and secure in position and use testing equipment to check systems for leaks.
You may also remove and replace worn components, do general maintenance work and may work on plant shut-downs.
This is a compulsory trade - to work in this trade you need to hold a recognized trade certificate or be a registered apprentice.
Is this the right fit for me?
Students who have the following characteristics see greater success in the trade:
- manual dexterity
- mechanical aptitude
- the ability to read and understand complex instructions
- the ability to do careful and exact work
- 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.
Steamfitter Pipefitters are a Red Seal Endorsed trade – a recognizable standard that allows tradespeople to work across Canada.
Career opportunities
Start your career by finding an employer who is willing to indenture you as an apprentice or get training in our Pre-Employment Pipetrades program. You will work both indoors and outdoors at physically demanding tasks that often require climbing. As a steamfitter–pipefitters, you will likely be employed by pipeline construction contractors and sub-contractors, thermal or steam generating plants, manufacturers, utility companies, oil refineries, gas plants, pulp mills and chemical plants.
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 per year*
- Period 1: $1,263
- Period 2: $1,263
- Period 3: $1,263
- Period 4: $1,263
*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 do classes start?
Registration for the 2022/23 academic year opens May 19, 2022.
| Period | Start date | End date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 or 4 | Aug. 29, 2022 | Oct. 21, 2022 |
| 1 or 3 | Oct. 24, 2022 | Dec. 16, 2022 |
| 1 | Jan. 3, 2023 | Feb. 24, 2023 |
| 1 | Feb. 27, 2023 | April 21, 2023 |
| 1 or 2 | May 1, 2023 | June 23, 2023 |
How extended reality impacts teaching and learning
SAIT’s 2022 Cisco Catalyst Chair Award recipients research using tech to improve the educational experience for both students and instructors
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 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 steamfitter pipefitter is 4 years (four 12-month periods) including a minimum of 1560 hours of on-the-job training and 8 weeks of apprenticeship education each year.
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 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.
