Apprenticeship Trades programs within Alberta are governed by Apprenticeship Industry Training (AIT), and as such, the educational experience, entrance requirements, and work requirements are set by AIT and standardized across all post-secondary institutions. In order to begin working towards your career in an Apprenticeship trade, the first step in the process is to register with AIT. Check out their website attached here for more information. Included below is an outline of the entrance requirements for all apprenticeship trades programs, including the programs offered at Portage College.
Apprenticeship Carpentry:
Offered out of our Lac La Biche campus, featuring all four periods of the apprenticeship program, with classes taking place in the Carpentry lab space.
Apprenticeship Electrician
Offered out of our Cold Lake campus, the program offers all four periods of Apprenticeship Electrician, with theory portions taking place Monday-Thursday each week, and labs taking place every Friday onsite in the Electrical lab space.
Apprenticeship Heavy Equipment Technician
Taking place at our Lac La Biche campus, Apprenticeship Heavy Equipment Technician currently offers both periods one and two of the program, with intakes available for both periods in the Fall and Winter semesters.
Note: Period 1 is a common pathway for students interested in becoming Transport-Trailer Mechanics. Periods 1 and 2 of Apprentice Heavy Equipment Technician are also common pathways for aspiring Off-Road Heavy Duty Equipment Mechanics or Truck and Transport Mechanics.
Apprenticeship Steamfitter-Pipefitter
The first six weeks of each period are completed online, then for the final two weeks, students come to our Steamfitter-Pipefitter lab to complete all lab work and prepare for final exams. All four periods of this program are offered at our Lac La Biche campus.
Note: Period 1 of Steamfitter-Pipefitter is a common period among pipe trades. Apprentice plumbers, gasfitters and sprinkler system installers are eligible to enroll in the same Period 1.
Apprenticeship Welding
Located at our Lac La Biche campus, classes are held onsite Monday-Friday in our Welding labs. All three periods of the Apprenticeship Welding program are offered.
Barber Certificate
The program is a sixteen-week program offered in conjunction with the Hairstyling Certificate, out of the Portage Salon and Hairstyling lab space located at the Lac La Biche campus. The program is recognized by Apprenticeship Industry Training, and upon completion, students will have the opportunity to take the Barber Apprenticeship exam and begin work in the industry.
Hairstyling Certificate
The hairstyling certificate is a one-year program offered at our Lac La Biche campus. Classes are held onsite at the Portage Salon and Hairstyling lab space. The program is recognized by Apprenticeship Industry Training, and upon completion of the program, students will have the opportunity to write the apprenticeship exam and then begin earning hours towards earning their journeyperson certification.
Apprenticeship Industry Training (AIT)
Apprenticeship Trades programs within Alberta are governed by Apprenticeship Industry Training (AIT), and as such, the educational experience, entrance requirements, and work requirements are set by AIT and standardized across all post-secondary institutions. In order to begin working towards your career in an Apprenticeship trade, the first step in the process is to register with AIT. Check out their website attached for more information, including entrance requirements, educational requirements, and work experience requirements for all apprenticeship trades.