Plumber Apprenticeship
About the Plumber Apprenticeship
Plumbing is an excellent career path that allows you to combine your knowledge and innovation with your ability to create and build with your hands. This is a career with a lot of stability and job satisfaction that has room for growth.
In this program, you will learn to plan, install and service plumbing systems, fixtures, piping equipment and controls. These piping systems may be used to transport water, waste, gases or hot liquids. You will spend a lot of your technical training in shops to support and apply the theory you learn in class.
As a Plumber, you may specialize in the types of work you do, such as installing water conditioners and installing hydronic heating and chilled water systems. You could be employed by construction contractors, plumbing repair shops and large organizations or you may be self-employed.
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 Journeyman Certificate, you are eligible to receive a Blue Seal Achievement in business competencies after completing the necessary requirements.
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 annually.
The term of apprenticeship for a Plumber is four years (four 12-month periods), including a minimum of 1,560 hours of on-the-job training and eight weeks of technical training each year. A person who isn't already certified in Alberta as a Gasfitter Class A or Class B will complete an apprenticeship program that includes both the Plumber and Gasfitter Class B trades.
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 plumber is 4 years (four 12-month periods) including a minimum of 1560 hours of on-the-job training and 8 weeks of classroom instruction each year.
Related Careers
Plumber
Gasfitter- Class B
Journeyperson
Red Seal endorsement available
Plumber Instructor
Plumbing Inspector
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.
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 Requirements Recommended Path:
ELA 30-2
Math 30-3
Physics 30 or Chem 30 or Science 30
Related CTS courses
OR
Minimum Requirements:
ELA 20-2
Math 20-3
Science 10
OR
A pass on all five Canadian GED tests
OR
Successful completion of AIT’s entrance exam
Intake Details
Registration opens May 23, 2024
1st Period
September 3, 2024 - October 25, 2024
- On campus delivery
- On campus time requirements
- Monday-Friday | 8:30am-3:30pm
October 1, 2024 - December 20, 2024
- Blended delivery
- On campus time requirements
- Oct 21 - Oct 25 | 8:30am-3:30pm
- Nov 4 - Nov 8 | 8:30am-3:30pm
- Nov 12 - Nov 13 | 8:30am-3:30pm
- Dec 20 | 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 - June 27, 2024
- Blended delivery
- On campus time requirements
- April 22 - April 25 | 8:30am-3:30pm
- May 14 - May 16 | 8:30am-3:30pm
- May 20 - May 23 | 8:30am-3:30pm
- June 27 | 8:30am-3:30pm
May 5, 2025 - June 27, 2025
- On campus delivery
- On campus time requirements
- Monday-Friday | 8:30am-3:30pm
2nd Period
September 3, 2024 – October 25, 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
- On Campus Delivery
- On campus time requirements
- Monday-Friday | 8:30am-3:30pm
3rd Period
September 3, 2024 – October 25, 2024
- On Campus Delivery
- On campus time requirements
- Monday-Friday | 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 – June 27, 2025
- Blended Delivery
- On campus time requirements
- May 26 - 30 | 8:30am – 3:30pm
- June 27 | 8:30am – 3:30pm
4th Period
September 3, 2024 – October 25, 2024
- On Campus Delivery
- On campus time requirements
- Monday-Friday | 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
April 7, 2025 – June 27, 2025
- Blended Delivery
- On campus time requirements
- June 19 - 20 | 8:30am – 3:30pm
- June 23 - 27 | 8:30am – 3:30pm
Program Cost
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.
Financial Aid Options
Student life can be very expensive, and few individuals have enough money to pay up-front for their post-secondary education.