Program_Instrumentation and Control Technician

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

About the Instrumentation and Control Technician Apprenticeship

Combine your love of technology with your interest in math, science and mechanics to become an Instrumentation and Control Technician. This ever-evolving field is needed virtually anywhere there are control and metering systems as the world becomes increasingly automated.  

In this program, you will learn to install, maintain and repair the measuring and control devices used in industrial and commercial processing. You will spend a lot of your technical training in shops to support and apply the theory you learn in class. 

You will work with a wide variety of pneumatic, electronic and microcomputer instruments used to measure and control variables such as pressure, flow, temperature, level, motion, force, and chemical composition. 

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. 

Experienced Instrumentation and Control Technicians may advance to supervisory positions or move into company sales offices. 

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 year one and two of this program you will spend eight weeks on campus every year, and a minimum of 1,500 hours on-the-job training. During year three and four you will spend 10 weeks on campus and a minimum of 1,425 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 instrumentation and control technicians is four years (four 12-month periods), including a minimum of 1,560 hours of on-the-job training and eight weeks of classroom instruction in the first and second years, and a minimum of 1,500 hours of on-the-job training and 10 weeks of classroom instruction in the third and fourth years. 

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 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

1st Period
April 29, 2024 - June 21, 2024 
  • On campus delivery
  • On campus time requirements
    • Monday-Friday | 8:30am-3:30pm 
2nd Period

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3rd Period

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4th Period

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Program Cost

Estimated Tuition & Fees
1st Period
$1,451.50
2nd Period
$1,451.50
3rd Period
$1,711.50
4th Period
$1,711.50

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, view our Program Cost Estimates.