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Welding student and instructor

Trades

Apprenticeship programs are highly technical and are continuously evolving, providing students with the right kind of challenge and helping them to develop appropriate industry-standard skills.   

The foundation of Apprenticeship programs is collaboration between industry and technical training providers. Apprenticeship training helps you build on the skills you develop with your employer, while exposing you to comprehensive trade aspects including new equipment and technologies, different trade practices and other important facets of the industry.  

Can’t find what you’re looking for? Red Deer Polytechnic offers a variety of additional opportunities, including Welder Testing. You can also view all programs at RDP. Program pathways can be tailored just for you with Academic Upgrading, Open Studies, Flexible Learning and Extended Education opportunities.  

Agricultural Equipment Technician Apprenticeship (year 2 and 4)

As an Agricultural Equipment Technician, you will repair, overhaul and maintain agricultural equipment including tractors, tillage equipment, seeding equipment and harvesting equipment.

Automotive Service Technician Apprenticeship

As an Automotive Service Technician, you will maintain, diagnose and repair automotive vehicles, cars and light trucks. Automotive Service Technicians are employed by automotive repair shops, specialty repair shops, service facilities, car/truck dealerships and large organizations.

Carpenter Apprenticeship

Carpenters construct and repair structures made of wood, steel and other materials. 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.

Cook Apprenticeship

As a Cook, you will develop the knowledge and skills to prepare food in many different eating establishments. Cooks are responsible for nutrition, food costs and sanitation. Cooks may be employed in restaurants, hotels, clubs, catering firms, cafeterias, specialty food outlets and bases/camps.

Electrician Apprenticeship

As an Electrician you will install, alter, repair and maintain electrical systems. Electricians work for construction and maintenance contractors, manufacturers, resource companies and other large organizations.

Gasfitter Apprenticeship (year 1)

As a Gasfitter, you will size, install, test, adjust and service natural gas and propane equipment ranging from residential furnaces to industrial boilers.

Heavy Equipment Technician Apprenticeship

As a Heavy Equipment Technician, you will maintain, repair and overhaul heavy vehicles and industrial equipment. Heavy Equipment Technicians are employed by repair shops and organizations that own or lease heavy equipment used in construction, mining, forestry, material handling, agriculture and transportation industries.

Industrial Mechanic (Millwright) Apprenticeship

As an Industrial Mechanic (Millwright), you will install, maintain, repair and troubleshoot stationary industrial machinery and mechanical equipment. Industrial Mechanics (Millwrights) find employment in construction, maintenance, machine shops and stock-keeping and sales.

Instrumentation and Control Technician Apprenticeship

As an Instrumentation and Control Technician, you will install, maintain and repair the measuring and control devices used in industrial and commercial processing. Instrumentation and Control Technicians find employment in pulp and paper processing, mining, petrochemical and industrial instrument servicing, as well as the oil and gas industry.

Locksmith Apprenticeship

As a Locksmith, you will install, adjust and repair locks, make keys and change lock combinations. Locksmiths are employed by locksmith companies, security firms and institutions. Online delivery is available for this program.

Materials Technician Apprenticeship

As a Materials Technician, you will be involved in the movement of materials in a wide variety of industries including agriculture, forestry, health, manufacturing, mining, oil and gas, transportation and retail industries. Materials Technicians are employed by organizations that produce, process and retail a wide variety of products.

Parts Technician – Materials Technician Apprenticeship

As a Parts Technician, you will manage and dispense parts inventories. You may also be responsible for stock handling, identifying and cataloguing parts and assemblies, as well as ordering, receiving, inspecting, sorting, pricing and selling. Online delivery is available for second year.

Plumber Apprenticeship

As a Plumber, you will plan, install and service plumbing systems, fixtures, piping equipment and controls. Plumbers are employed by construction contractors, plumbing repair shops and large organizations. Some are self-employed.

Sprinkler Systems Installer Apprenticeship

As a Sprinkler Systems Installer, you will fabricate, install, test, maintain, inspect and repair sprinkler systems on commercial and industrial sites. Sprinkler Systems Installers are generally employed in the construction industry.

Steamfitter/Pipefitter Apprenticeship

As a Steamfitter/Pipefitter, you will lay out, assemble, fabricate, maintain and repair piping systems which carry water, steam, chemicals or fuel. Many Steamfitter/Pipefitters are employed in the construction industry.

Water Well Driller Apprenticeship

MODIFIED

As a Water Well Driller, you will set up and operate mobile rotary, boring or cable tool drilling rigs used to drill residential, commercial and industrial water wells. In addition, you will conduct environmental assessment drilling. Water Well Driller shares a common first year with Earth Loop Technicians.

Welder Apprenticeship

As a Welder, you will join or sever metals. You will also make metal parts used in construction and manufacturing plants, and weld parts, tools, machines and equipment.

We understand that you still have questions about the programs.
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Additional Programs and Pathways


Academic Upgrading and Open Studies allow flexible registration so you can tailor your course selection to your specific goals for the future. Complete details are available below. For a full list of programs offered at Red Deer Polytechnic, visit the Academic Calendar.


Academic Upgrading

The Academic Upgrading program at Red Deer Polytechnic helps open doors to further education and better employment. You can upgrade academic skills, meet entrance requirements for post-secondary programs, earn a High School Equivalency diploma, and prepare for entry into the workplace.

Open Studies

Open Studies is a unique, flexible and customizable program that allows students to take courses that help them work toward their career goals. Students in Open Studies may choose to take courses on a full-time or part-time basis.

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