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Overview
Following construction plans and specifications, learn how to prepare and apply protective coverings to flat and sloped roof surfaces.
For flat roofs, you will use a variety of substances and systems, which include conventional roof systems (hot-applied asphalt), elastomeric roof membrane systems (rubber-like properties), thermoplastic roof membrane systems and modified bitumen roof membrane systems (asphalt and plastic).
As a roofer, you’ll:
- work with shingles made of a variety of materials, including asphalt, fibreglass, concrete, clay, rubber, slate, wood shakes or metal for sloped residential roofs
- apply membranes, organic or synthetic felt before applying shingles
- nail shingles in overlapping rows
- cement and nail flashings over joints around vent pipes or chimneys
- inspect roof problems to determine the best way to repair them
- estimate quote costs and what materials are needed
- repair older roofs
- waterproof roofs, basements, foundations and parkades
- install green/vegetated roof components
- incorporate new roofing technology, such as non-conventional solar roofing.
Roofers are skilled tradespeople who like collaborating with others, being physically active and working at heights.
This line of work is most fulfilling for those who enjoy working outdoors with their hands with a variety of customers.
To succeed in this trade, you should:
- enjoy physically engaging work
- have good customer service skills
- have good hand-eye coordination
- have the strength and stamina to carry heavy materials
- be sure-footed and comfortable working at heights
- enjoy working with a team
- be committed to maintaining safe working conditions.
Upon successfully completing the required working hours and technical training periods, you'll be awarded a certificate in addition to 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.
Careers and opportunities
Our graduates may work in the following occupations. Some careers require additional experience and education.
Associated National Occupational Classification (NOC) codes: 72010, 72014, 73110, 22303, 70010, 22233, 70011, 13101.
Apprenticeship training
The term of apprenticeship for a roofer is four years (four 12-month periods), including:
- a minimum of 1420 hours of on-the-job training and six weeks of classroom instruction in the first three years
- a minimum of 1600 hours of on-the-job training in the fourth year.
Year 1 | Period 1
You’ll learn about workplace safety, low-slope roofing (BUR, SBS) and steep-slope roofing (asphalt shingles), basic math, blueprint reading and orthographic drawings.
Training length: 6 weeks
Year 2 | Period 2
You’ll learn low-slope roofing (thermoplastic, thermoset), roofing failure, re-roofing, steep-slope roofing (softwood roofing), intermediate trade math and blueprints.
Training length: 6 weeks
Year 3 | Period 3
You’ll learn steep slope roofing (concrete, slate, and metal tile), metal flashing, alternate systems, trade science, equipment maintenance, material calculations and roofing standards.
Training length: 6 weeks
Apprenticeship education performance
You must pass each section of the course and the AIT exam to succeed in apprenticeship education.
The passing grade for each section in a course is 70%. A passing mark on each provincial exam and the interprovincial qualification (or Red Seal Exam) is 70%.
View Alberta's Apprenticeship and Industry Training procedures
Training pathways
You can earn your journeyperson designation in the following way.
The traditional training pathway begins with finding a job with an employer willing to indenture you as an apprentice. Once you are an apprentice, you will alternate between on-the-job training and educational periods.
You must apply for an apprenticeship through Alberta Apprenticeship and Industry Training before attending your first education period at SAIT.
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
There are no minimum requirements for the roofer trade.
Recommended requirements
Apprentices with an Alberta High School Diploma that includes the following courses:
- English 30-2
- Math 30-3
- Physics 20 OR Chemistry 20 OR Science 20
- Related career and technology studies (CTS) courses
MyTradeSecrets
Once you have begun working as an apprentice, you can attend SAIT to complete your technical training.
You'll register for technical training at SAIT on MyTradeSecrets or you can register by phone.
How to registerTransfer agreements
At SAIT, we evaluate post-secondary credit you have previously earned and apply it to your SAIT credential. Explore our formal transfer agreements available for this program.
We can evaluate your prior education, even if we don't have a formal agreement in place.
Submit a transfer credit application
There are no formal transfer agreements currently in place for this program.
Transfer options for graduates
Build on the knowledge you’ve learned at SAIT. The opportunity to advance your education at an accredited post-secondary institution may be available.
🔗 Visit Transfer Alberta for a full list of transfer opportunities within the province.
Available intakes
Costs
2024/25 tuition and fees
The following costs are effective as of July 1, 2024.
This is a bring-your-own-device program with a standard computer hardware and software requirement. See the specific requirements on our computers and laptops page.
Books or modules, along with other items for classes, are approximately $300 per period.
We recommend you don't 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.
This program requires personal protective equipment (PPE), which may be an additional cost.
2023/24 tuition and fees
The following costs are effective until June 30, 2024.
Funding options for apprentices
Apprentices get to learn while they earn, but there are still costs to consider. Many resources are available at SAIT and federally to help support apprentices.
Financial aidInformation sessions
Prepare for a strong start in your chosen program or get the details you need to decide your future path.
Our expert staff and faculty are ready to answer your questions and provide information about the following:
- What sets SAIT apart
- An introduction to the program and area of study
- Admission requirements
- Future career paths
- Information on the earning potential and graduate employment rates.
Contact
Have more questions?
Apprenticeship training and registration
Apprenticeship and Industry Training Client Services
Oki, Âba wathtech, Danit'ada, Tawnshi, Hello.
SAIT is located on the traditional territories of the Niitsitapi (Blackfoot) and the people of Treaty 7 which includes the Siksika, the Piikani, the Kainai, the Tsuut’ina and the Îyârhe Nakoda of Bearspaw, Chiniki and Goodstoney.
We are situated in an area the Blackfoot tribes traditionally called Moh’kinsstis, where the Bow River meets the Elbow River. We now call it the city of Calgary, which is also home to the Métis Nation of Alberta, Region 3.