Available Intakes
Overview
This full-time program is a great way to start your career as a machinist — a rewarding and challenging trade with precision and craftsmanship as core attributes.
As a Machinist Technician, you’ll set up and operate precision equipment for the production of a variety of components and assemblies. Machinists make or modify primarily metal components to very fine tolerances.
At 30 weeks in length (900 hours), this program contains content nearly double that afforded by the Machinist apprenticeship stream for equivalent periods. You will learn skills including, but not limited to:
- machining
- machine set-up
- blueprint reading
- process planning
- design validation
- precision measurement
- heat treatment.
Metal cutting and shaping operations use a variety of machine tools, including conventional mills, drills, lathes, and grinders. As modern machine tools are often computer-driven, a Machinist Technician may be responsible for programming and operating high-tech Computer Numerically Controlled (CNC) equipment such as CNC mills, lathes, Electrical Discharge Machines (EDM), and Coordinate Measuring Machines (CMM).
Upon successful completion of your first 15 weeks, you will be eligible to write the first-period Machinist apprenticeship exam. At the end of 30 weeks, you will be eligible to write the second-period Machinist apprenticeship exam.
Credentials
After successfully completing this program, graduates will receive a SAIT certificate as a Machinist Technician.
Graduates are eligible to write the first and second-year Provincial Apprenticeship Board exams for the machinist trade provided they attain a minimum of 65% in all their courses. Apprenticeship exam fees will be required.
New program launching for fall 2023
You need the most industry-relevant tech-focused education and we've got you covered. With industry input to meet the demands of the current and growing labour market, we've launched a new Machining Technology two-year diploma program. Learn a better way to launch your career in manufacturing.
Learn more about the programCareer opportunities
Graduates can pursue job opportunities in:
- transportation
- oil and gas manufacturing
- medical technology
- wherever equipment is manufactured or repaired
Graduates will have achieved the training equivalent of the first two periods of a Machinist apprenticeship.
Related careers include:
- industrial mechanic
- field heat treatment technician
Admission requirements
Program requirements
Successful completion of the following courses or equivalents:
- Math 10C, or Math 10-3, AND,
- English Language Arts 10-1 or English Language Arts 10-2, AND,
- Science 10
All applicants must demonstrate English language proficiency prior to admission, including students educated in Canada.
SAIT accepts high school course equivalents for admission. If you don't meet the requirements, consider Academic Upgrading.
SAIT evaluates international documents for admissions. After you've applied, consider our international document assessment service if your education is from outside of Canada. SAIT may also accept courses completed at certain international post-secondary institutions.
When should you apply?
Visit our Apply page to see when applications open and close for upcoming semesters.
To see which semesters this program has intakes for, look at the Available Intakes information at the top of this page.
Direct entry: four-step process
Step 1: Read the program information to see the qualities needed for student success.
Step 2: Ensure that you meet all of the admission requirements listed above.
Step 3: Apply to the program and submit your transcripts.
Admission will be extended on a first-qualified, first-offered basis until the program is full.
Step 4: Continue to monitor your application status through mySAIT.ca.
You must submit final transcripts/grades to show you have completed the courses and met the minimum admission requirements by the transcript deadline or your seat will be rescinded.
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.
Communication during admission
Email is the primary source of communication during the selection process. Ensure your personal email account is managed appropriately to receive our emails, files and communications. We recommend you add the ma.info@sait.ca domain to your safe senders' list or you risk missing critical email messages.
When do classes start?
Classes for this program adhere to the following year start and end dates based on the semester the student begins their program.
| Classes begin | Year start date | Year end date |
|---|---|---|
| Fall 2022 | Sept. 6, 2022 | April 28, 2023 |
Courses
Program outline
Looking for course descriptions and requisites? Visit the course catalogue
Semester 1
| Course code | Course name | Credit |
|---|---|---|
| BLPR-202 | Blueprint Reading | 1.5 |
| MACH-204 | Machinist Theory I | 3.0 |
| MACH-205 | Machine Shop I | 6.0 |
| MATH-209 | Mathematics | 1.5 |
| MNFG-223 | Computer Numerical Control I | 1.5 |
| WELD-218 | Welding | 1.5 |
| Semester 1 total | 15.0 | |
Semester 2
| Course code | Course name | Credit |
|---|---|---|
| EMTL-203 | Metallurgy | 1.5 |
| MACH-254 | Machinist Theory II | 1.5 |
| MACH-255 | Machine Shop II | 6.0 |
| MATH-259 | Mathematics II | 1.5 |
| MNFG-258 | Computer Numerical Control II | 1.5 |
| MNFG-260 | Computer-Aided Manufacturing | 1.5 |
| Semester 2 total | 13.5 | |
| Program total | 28.5 | |
Progression
Students must attain a PGPA and/or a CGPA of 2.0 or better in each semester and pass the necessary prerequisite courses to progress through the program. To qualify for graduation, students must pass all courses, attain a CGPA of 2.0 or better and complete course requirements within the prescribed timelines.
Review our grading and progression procedure >
Transfer options
The opportunity to advance your education by transferring in, within or on from SAIT is available.
Learn more about program and institution partnership agreements.
Costs 2022/23
Domestic tuition and fees
Cost per credit: $205
| Year | Number of semesters | Tuition fees | SAIT fees | Saitsa fees* | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | $5,842.50 | $916 | $553 | $7,311.50 |
International tuition and fees
Cost per credit: $647.47
| Year | Number of semesters | Tuition fees | SAIT fees | Saitsa fees* | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | $18,452.90 | $916 | $553 | $19,921.90 |
*Maximum fee. Actual fees may be less and are based on the number of credits a student takes per semester and whether they opt-out of health and dental benefits.
SAIT fees
- Campus athletic and recreation fee: $196
- Universal transit pass (Upass): $320
- Student support fee: $200
- Student technology fee: $200
Saitsa fees
Student Association fee
- Maximum: $291
This is the maximum amount the student will pay. Actual fees may be less and are based on the number of credits the students take per semester.
Health and dental fees
- Health plan: $127
- Dental plan: $135
Students with existing health and/or dental plans can opt-out. Please refer to Saitsa's website for information.
Books and supplies*
Books and supplies are approximately $1,000 - $1,500 per full-time year.
For an estimate of the costs associated with purchasing a computer that meets the program's hardware and software requirements, see our computers and laptops page.
Learn more about tuition and financial aid.
*Tuition, fees, books and supply costs are subject to change.
Next steps for incoming students
Have you been accepted to this program? Here's what you'll need for your first day of classes.
Orientation
Your program orientation (ORNT 118) will be held on campus on Aug. 31. Check your schedule in mySAIT for time and location details.
Learn more about your campus orientation.
How to register for classes
Course registration opens on March 1 through March 15 for Spring 2023.
You’ll receive an email from us indicating what registration process you’ll use to enroll in your classes.
Learn more about how to register and the different registration methods used at SAIT.
Computers and laptops
This is a bring your own device program with a standard hardware and software requirement. See the specific requirements on our computers and laptops page.
Chromebooks are not acceptable computers for this program. Individual Learner Modules (ILM) are available in paper and digital formats. Be sure to purchase ILM- Machinist Technician Semester 1 package.
Required personal protective equipment (PPE)
CSA-approved steel-toe boots and safety glasses are required on the first day of class.
Preparation courses
To support your success, short courses are available to you to help prepare you for the academic year:
PERS 050: Student Rights and Responsibilities
This course is designed to introduce you to student rights and responsibilities at SAIT. You will learn about SAIT's rich and diverse community, become familiar with guidelines and procedures that create a safe, respectful learning experience for you, and gain practical tips for how you can engage in the SAIT community in a positive and responsible way. PRES-050 must be completed within 30 days from the start of the semester.
PREP 100: The SAIT Experience
Get tips and insider information on time management, exam preparation, effective notetaking and more through this free, online short course for new students. Plus, learn about discussion boards, online communication and submitting assignments online. Course completion is recommended by the end of your first semester.
Both courses can be accessed through Brightspace (D2L) before the first day of classes.
Students taking a full-time course load, or more than nine (9) credits per semester, will be automatically enrolled in these courses.
They are optional for students taking a part-time course load (9 or fewer credits per semester). Part-time students can register by emailing academic.coaching@sait.ca.
Required textbooks
Find your booklist on the SAIT Bookstore's website. The booklist will be available closer to the program start date.
Can’t find your program or course? The bookstore didn't receive a textbook list. Contact your program directly to determine if they’re still refining course details or if you're in luck, no textbook purchase required this term.
Contact
Phone: 403.284.8641
Email: ma.info@sait.ca
Academic chair
Ryan Meisinger, Academic Chair
Email: ryan.meisinger@sait.ca
Next steps for all students
Here's what else you'll need to do to get ready!
NEXT STEPS FOR ACCEPTED STUDENTS
Important dates and deadlines
Find important dates applicable to all students, including your transcript and tuition payment deadlines on our Important Dates page.
