Carpenter Apprenticeship

About the Carpenter Apprenticeship

Carpentry is a craft that shapes the world around us. By working in the construction field, the things you build will leave a lasting benefit to the community.

Train as a carpenter and learn to construct and repair structures made of wood, steel and other materials. While training, you will spend a lot of your technical training in shops to support and apply the theory you learn in class.

As a Carpenter, you may be employed by contractors, be self-employed, or you may do construction/maintenance work for government agencies, utility companies or manufacturing firms.

Carpenters may advance to Foreman, Subcontractor, Construction Superintendent or Contractor. You are involved in every step of construction, and this overall knowledge is an advantage when applying for supervisory positions.

Take the skills you learn and challenge yourself. This trade has the opportunity for you to compete in the Provincial Skills Canada Competition, Skills Canada National Competition and WorldSkills Competition.

When you graduate, you’ll receive both a:

Journeyperson Certificate: This certificate not only acknowledges your expertise in your chosen trade but also grants you the legal authority to work in that trade.
Education Credential: This is a formal testament to your dedication and hard work. It confirms that you've successfully finished an Advanced Diploma in a post-secondary study program and highlights the time and effort you've invested in mastering your trade or profession.

Work-integrated Learning

Apprenticeship is a unique form of post-secondary education that blends hands-on work experience with classroom learning. On average, you will spend 80 per cent of your apprenticeship on the job, practicing your trade or profession, and 20 per cent in the classroom or lab through structured learning at RDP.

Further Study

At the end of the final year of the program, you will also be eligible to earn a Red Seal Endorsement on your Journeyperson certificate upon successful completion of the Red Seal Exam. The Red Seal Endorsement allows Journeypersons to work anywhere in Canada without additional training.

If you have a valid Alberta Journeyperson Certificate, you are eligible to receive a Blue Seal Achievement in business competencies after completing the necessary requirements.

Learn More

Program Content

During this program you will spend eight weeks on campus every year, and a minimum of 1,560 hours on-the-job training.  

View Curriculum Guide

Completion of Classroom Training

Students must achieve a weighted average of 65% with no section under 50% in both the theory and practical components of the classroom training as well as achieving a minimum grade of 70% on the AIT Provincial Exam for each period of classroom training.

Completion of a Journeyperson Certificate

The term of apprenticeship for a Carpenter 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.

Additionally, students must achieve a minimum grade of 70% on AIT practical project at the end of 4th period.

Related Careers

Carpenter
Journeyperson Carpenter
Red Seal endorsement available
Construction
Cribber
Framer
Scaffolder
Exterior Finishing
Interior Finishing

Meet the Faculty

At Red Deer Polytechnic we are proud of our faculty members and staff who are experts in their disciplines and subject areas.

Visit Faculty Directory

Admission Requirements

How to become an Apprentice:

Ensure you meet Apprenticeship and Industry Training (AIT) eligibility and entrance requirements for your desired skilled trade.
Apply for an Apprenticeship Education Program.
Register for classroom instruction.

Academic Requirements

Apprenticeship and Industry Training (AIT) entrance recommended path requirements:

ELA 30-2
Math 30-3
Physics 20 or Chem 20 or Science 20
Related CTS courses

Minimum requirements:

ELA 10-2
Math 10-3

OR

A pass on all five Canadian GED tests

OR

Successful completion of AIT’s entrance exam

Intake Details

Registration opens May 14, 2024

1st Period

October 7, 2024 – November 29, 2024

Blended Delivery
On campus time requirements
- Oct 7 – 11 | 8:30am – 3:30pm
- Oct 21 - 25 | 8:30am – 3:30pm
- Nov 12 - 15 | 8:30am – 3:30pm
- Nov 29 | 8:30am – 3:30pm

October 28, 2024 – December 20, 2024

On Campus Delivery
On campus time requirements
- Monday-Friday | 8:30am-3:30pm

January 6, 2025 – February 28, 2025

On Campus Delivery
On campus time requirements
- Monday-Friday | 8:30am-3:30pm

March 3, 2025 – April 25, 2025

On Campus Delivery
On campus time requirements
- Monday-Friday | 8:30am-3:30pm

April 7, 2025 – May 30, 2025

On Campus Delivery
On campus time requirements
- Monday - Friday | 8:30am – 3:30pm

May 5, 2025 – June 27, 2025

Blended Delivery
On campus time requirements
- May 5 - 9 | 8:30am – 3:30pm
- May 20 - 23 | 8:30am – 3:30pm
- June 9 - 13 | 8:30am – 3:30pm
- June 27 | 8:30am – 3:30pm

2nd Period

January 6, 2025 – February 28, 2025

On Campus Delivery
On campus time requirements
- Monday-Friday | 8:30am-3:30pm

January 27, 2025 – March 21, 2025

Blended Delivery
On campus time requirements
- Feb 3 - 7 | 8:30am – 3:30pm
- Feb 24 - 28 | 8:30am – 3:30pm
- March 10 - 14 | 8:30am – 3:30pm
- March 21 | 8:30am – 3:30pm

March 3, 2025 – April 25, 2025

On Campus Delivery
On campus time requirements
- Monday-Friday | 8:30am-3:30pm

May 5, 2025 – June 27, 2025

Blended Delivery
On campus time requirements
- May 12 - 16 | 8:30am – 3:30pm
- June 2 - 6 | 8:30am – 3:30pm
- June 16 - 20 | 8:30am – 3:30pm
- June 27 | 8:30am – 3:30pm

3rd Period

October 28, 2024 – December 20, 2024

On Campus Delivery
On campus time requirements
- Monday-Friday | 8:30am-3:30pm

January 6, 2025 – February 28, 2025

On Campus Delivery
On campus time requirements
- Monday-Friday | 8:30am-3:30pm

March 3, 2025 – April 25, 2025

On Campus Delivery
On campus time requirements
- Monday-Friday | 8:30am-3:30pm

May 5, 2025 – June 27, 2025

Blended Delivery
On campus time requirements
- May 12 - 16 | 8:30am – 3:30pm
- May 26 - 30 | 8:30am – 3:30pm
- June 9 - 13 | 8:30am – 3:30pm
- June 23 - 27 | 8:30am – 3:30pm

4th Period

October 28, 2024 – December 20, 2024

Blended Delivery
On campus time requirements
- Oct 28 - Nov 1 | 8:30am-3:30pm
- Nov 18 - 22 | 8:30am-3:30pm
- Nov 25 - 29 | 8:30am-3:30pm
- Dec 9 - 13 | 8:30am-3:30pm
- Dec 19 - 20 | 8:30am-3:30pm

January 6, 2025 – February 28, 2025

On Campus Delivery
On campus time requirements
- Monday-Friday | 8:30am-3:30pm

March 3, 2025 – April 25, 2025

On Campus Delivery
On campus time requirements
- Monday-Friday | 8:30am-3:30pm

Program Cost

Estimated Tuition & Fees

1st Period

$1,480.80

2nd Period

$1,480.80

3rd Period

$1,480.80

4th Period

$1,480.80

These costs are an estimate of tuition and fees based on the recommended course load per training period.   

NOTE: Additional fees may apply.

For full fee information, view our Program Cost Estimates .

Required Texts & Materials

Year One

Required:

CARP 100 AIT ILM PACKAGE
CARP 100 RDP Shop Material Package
CARP 100 RDP Blueprint Material
Handi-Guide To Alberta OH & S Act
Regulation & Code (Carswell) 2020
National Building Code of Canada 2015 (Vol. 1 & 2)

Optional

Nat. Building Code of Canada 2015 Illustrated
Pocket Tradesman Rigger's Edition Booklet
Building Envelope Tie-in Details
User's Guide (Part 9 of Div. B)

Year Two

Required:

CARP 200 AIT ILM PACKAGE
CARP 200 RDP Shop Material Package
CARP 200 RDP Blueprint Material
Handi-Guide To Alberta OH&S Act
Regulation & Code (Carswell) 2020
Carpenter Additional Review Modules

Optional

Nat. Building Code of Canada 2015 Illustrated
User's Guide (Part 9 of Div. B)
CHBA Builders Manual 2020
CHBA Renovators Manual 2021
Building Envelope Tie-in Details

Year Three

Required:

CARP 300 AIT ILM PACKAGE
CARP 300 RDP Shop Material Package
CARP 300 RDP Blueprint Material
Handi-Guide To Alberta OH & S Act
Regulation & Code (Carswell) 2020
Carpenter Additional Review Modules

Optional

Building Envelope Tie-in Details
Nat. Building Code of Canada 2015 Illustrated
Building Envelope Tie-in Details
User's Guide (Part 9 of Div. B)

Year Three

Required

CARP 400 AIT ILM PACKAGE
CARP 400 RDP Shop Material Package
CARP 400 RDP Blueprint Material
CHBA Renovators Manual 2021
Handi-Guide To Alberta OH&S Act
Regulation & Code (Carswell) 2020
Carpenter Additional Review Modules

Optional

Nat. Building Code of Canada 2015 Illustrated
User's Guide (Part 9 of Div. B)
Building Envelope Tie-in Details
CHBA Builders Manual 2020

All Apprenticeship AST students MUST supply CSA-approved;

Hard Hat (2nd & 3rd)
Safety glasses
Footwear

As well as;

Calculator - CASIO FX-260
Pencils - Staedtler 2H, 4H, 6H
Ruler 30-60° Set Square - 10" & 12" Clear - Staedtler 987-18ISO
45° Set Square - 10" & 12" Clear - Staedtler MARS 96410-60 & ProArt T3060-12
36" T-Square - Staedtler MARS 96410-45 & MARS 96412-45
Compass - Staedtler - Two styles
Eraser Shield - MARS
White Eraser - MARS
Protractor - Staedtler MARS 568-52-15
Tape Measure

Cancellation Policies

In all cases, a minimum fee of $150 will be withheld should you cancel your enrolment before the first day of class. To cancel call 403.342.3100 or 1.888.475.1101

For training delivered face-to-face (on-campus) or hyflex, you will not receive a refund if you cancel your registration on or after the first day of class.
For training delivered in our blended format (some online, some face-to-face) you can cancel up until 11:00 a.m. on the first day of your second week of class and receive a refund less the $150.00 cancellation fee. No refunds will be issued for cancellations received after 11:00 a.m.
If the Polytechnic cancels a scheduled Apprenticeship training period, all tuition and related fees will be refunded.