Program_Carpenter

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.
Domestic Status:
Open
Next Start date:
Apprenticeship and Trades
4 Years
Full-Time On Campus Blended

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. 

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.   

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. 

Admission Requirements

How to become an Apprentice:   

  1. Ensure you meet Apprenticeship and Industry Training (AIT) eligibility and entrance requirements for your desired skilled trade.   

  2. Apply for an Apprenticeship Education Program.    

  3. 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

1st Period
February 26, 2024 – April 19, 2024
  • Blended Delivery
  • On campus time requirements
    • Feb 26 – March 1  | 8:30am – 3:30pm
    • March 18-22 | 8:30am – 3:30pm
    • March 25-28 | 8:30am – 3:30pm
    • April 1 – 5 | 8:30am – 3:30pm
2nd Period
February 26, 2024 - April 19, 2024
  • On campus delivery
  • On campus time requirements
    • Monday-Friday | 8:30am-3:30pm 
April 2, 2024 - May 24, 2024
  • Blended delivery
  • On campus time requirements
    • April 4 & 5 | 8:30am-3:30pm 

    • April 15 - 19 | 8:30am-3:30pm 

    • April 29 - May 3 | 8:30am-3:30pm 

    • May 8 - 10 | 8:30am-3:30pm 

    •  May 21 - 24 | 8:30 AM – 3:30 PM 

April 29, 2024 - June 21, 2024 
  • Blended delivery
  • On campus time requirements
    • May 1 - 3 | 8:30 AM – 3:30 PM 

    •  May 6 - 10 | 8:30 AM – 3:30 PM 

    •  May 27 - 31 | 8:30 AM – 3:30 PM 

    •  June 5 - 7 | 8:30 AM – 3:30 PM 

    •  June 10 - 14 | 8:30 AM – 3:30 PM 

3rd Period
February 26, 2024 - April 19, 2024
  • Blended delivery
  • On campus time requirements
    •  February 26 & 27 | 8:30 AM – 3:30 PM  

    •  March 4 - 8 | 8:30 AM – 3:30 PM 

    •  March 11 & 22 | 8:30 AM – 3:30 PM 

    •  March 18 - 22 | 8:30 AM – 3:30 PM 

    •  April 1 - 5 | 8:30 AM – 3:30 PM 

    •  April 8 | 8:30 AM – 3:30 PM 

    •  April 15 - 19 | 8:30 AM – 3:30 PM 

April 29, 2024 - June 21, 2024 
  • On campus delivery
  • On campus time requirements
    • Monday-Friday | 8:30am-3:30pm 
4th Period
February 26, 2024 - April 19, 2024
  • Blended delivery
  • On campus time requirements
    •  February 26 - March 1 | 8:30 AM – 3:30 PM 

    •  March 11 - 15 | 8:30 AM – 3:30 PM 

    •  March 25 - 28 | 8:30 AM – 3:30 PM 

    •  April 8 - 12 | 8:30 AM – 3:30 PM 

April 29, 2024 - June 21, 2024 
  • Blended delivery
  • On campus time requirements
    •  April 29 - May 3 | 8:30 AM – 3:30 PM 

    •  May 13 - 17 | 8:30 AM – 3:30 PM 

    •  May 27 - 31 | 8:30 AM – 3:30 PM 

    •  June 10 - 14 | 8:30 AM – 3:30 PM 

Program Cost

Estimated Tuition & Fees
1st Period
$1,451.50
2nd Period
$1,451.50
3rd Period
$1,451.50
4th Period
$1,451.50

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, visit Alberta Apprenticeship and Industry Training.

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.

Waitlist Notification 

If you are waitlisted for a course, we will email the personal email address on file at RDP when a seat becomes available