Available Intakes
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.
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.
To work in this trade, certification is required. This means that you must either be a registered apprentice who is working under the guidance of a certified journeyperson, or you must be a certified journeyperson yourself.
Is this the right fit for me?
Steamfitter pipefitters are skilled tradespeople who like working with their hands on physically demanding tasks. This line of work is most fulfilling for those who enjoy working independently.
To thrive in this career, it is important to have the following traits:
- creative problem solvers
- the ability to visualize and execute complex instructions
- enjoy working in physically active environments
- good math and science skills
- mechanical ability
- ability to accurately estimate and measure sizes and lengths
- ability to work independently
- 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
Steamfitter pipefitters 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 2023/24
- Period 1: $1,375
- Period 2: $1,375
- Period 3: $1,375
- Period 4: $1,375
*Tuition, fees, books and supply costs are subject to change
Requirements
Entrance requirements for all apprenticeship programs are set by Apprenticeship and Industry Training.
Admission requirements
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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 or 2 | May 1, 2023 | June 23, 2023 |
| 1 | Aug. 28, 2023 | Oct. 20, 2023 |
| 1 | Oct. 23, 2023 | Dec. 15, 2023 |
| 1 or 4 | Jan. 2, 2024 | Feb. 23, 2024 |
| 1 or 3 | Feb. 26, 2024 | April 19, 2024 |
| 1 or 2 | 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 steamfitter pipefitter is four years (four 12-month periods) including a minimum of 1560 hours of on-the-job training and eight weeks of classroom instruction each year.
You will start by learning standard workplace safety, rigging, tools, equipment and materials. You will then learn metal fabrication, drawing and specifications as well as calculation and science. All year 1 Plumber, Gasfitter, or Steamfitter apprentices will share a common first year, attending all classroom instruction and labs together.
You will then learn heating systems, hydronic heating, rigging equipment and hoisting communication, specialty piping, gas fitting fundamentals as well as drawings, layouts and elevations.
You will then learn low pressure steam and condensate systems, instrumentation and trade technologies, welding processes, hoist planning and cranes as well as process diagrams and mitre elbows.
You will learn high pressure steam and condensate systems, process piping systems, job planning and lifts as well as revised drawings and projects.
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 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.
