How Apprentices Register
Trades
Contact Us
Information and Registration
Trades Apprenticeship
apprenticeship@lakelandcollege.ca
780 853 8500
Apprenticeship application & registration
You must be a registered apprentice before you can register in any of Lakeland College's apprenticeship programs.
The instructions and application form to register as an apprentice are located on the Apprenticeship and Industry Training's MyTradesecrets website.
If you aren't a registered apprentice, complete your application and contract form from the AIT site.
Note: You are now able to register as an apprentice without an employer or sponsor. However, you may find the classes challenging without on-the-job experience. We recommend you find a sponsor/employer as soon as possible. One of our pre-employment programs is another option (see below).
Registration is open for all programs that conclude by the end of June 2024. Registration opening dates for 2024-25 will be posted when they are available.
Use MyTradesecrets
Your MyTradesecrets account is the best place to see schedules, when registration opens, to update your blue book (portfolio) and other updates.
We strongly encourage you to have an up-to-date email in MyTradesecrets. If your current email address isn't in the system, you won't receive critical information.
Registering for training at Lakeland
- If you're ready to take the next level of apprenticeship training, please check our
schedule.
- Schedules can be found in your MyTradesecrets account.
- All the intakes are listed in the important dates tab for each of the apprenticeship programs.
- Or, check our intake schedule for all the training dates at Lakeland College.
- Registrations for the next academic year usually open in May. You'll be able to find those dates in your MyTradesecrets account. They are also listed above.
- Register online through MyTradesecrets. You pay your tuition and fees with either a credit card or bank transfer.
- Since seats are filled on a first-come, first-served and paid basis, we encourage you to register online.
- Registrations can also be made by phone or in-person.
- By phone, call us at 1 800 661 6490 ext. 8500, or direct in Vermilion at 780 853 8500. Have a credit card ready
- In person, you may pay by cheque, money order, credit card (VISA or MasterCard) or debit.
- You'll receive an email confirmation from Lakeland approximately a week after you register. Your training period dates, employment insurance and other information are included. It will also include a link to the residence application.
When you register, you'll pay:
- Tuition
- Mandatory and comprehensive fees including recreation and students' association
- Program specific fees such as the carpentry shop fee. The amount differs by training period
- Individual Learning Modules (ILMs) fees - the price depends on your program. They range from $25 to $275
Check all of your potential costs on the program page relevant to you.
Tools and supplies are listed with every program.
- Withdrawals must to reported to Lakeland's apprenticeship registration office at apprenticeship@lakelandcollege.ca or call 1 800 661 6490 ext 8500.
- If you withdraw up to 5 working days before the first day of class you'll receive a full refund minus a $100 administration fee. Please visit the important dates section of the page for your trade to see college closures, deadlines, etc.
- No refunds after you start the class.
Lakeland Colleges a number of services and amenities.
- academic services including peer tutoring, study skills and accessibility helps
- bookstore
- cafeteria
- clubs including rodeo, climbing wall
- computer labs
- financial aids and awards - 25 awards are presented annually
- health and wellness services
- library
- parking - free spots for commuters as well as for residence students. Limited number of paid spots
- recreation - access to the gym, weight and cardio rooms, pool, racquetball/squash courts
- residence - space is usually available. A link to the application is included in your acceptance email.
- study areas
For more information, check the Current Students page.
Lakeland pre-employment programs have more class time, 12 instead of 8 weeks, followed by a 4-week practicum.
For more information about our pre-employment programs, check the program web pages:
Alberta apprentices now receive an additional credential when they complete their journeyperson training.
It’s part of new legislation, the Skilled Trades and Apprenticeship Education Act that replaced the Apprenticeship and Industry Training Act.
Among the changes are an additional credential for journeypersons. One apprenticeship credit is equal to 300 on-the-jobs hours or 15 classroom hours. Using this guideline each trade was categorized into one of 3 credentials or a certificate of achievement. See the Tradesecrets website for a complete list of trades with educational credential.
The trades Lakeland College offers are listed with the credential:
Advanced diploma (more than 80 credits)
- automotive service technician
- carpenter
- electrician
- heavy equipment technician
Diploma (60-79 credits)
- heavy equipment technician - heavy duty equipment mechanic - off-road
- heavy equipment technician - truck and transport mechanic
- welder
Certificate (30- 59 credits)
- hairstylist
- parts technician
Certificate of achievement (no credits assigned)
- barber
- heavy equipment technician - transport trailer mechanic
The additional educational credential can help employers understand the level of education achieved by skilled trades journeypersons. The credential also helps journeypersons who pursue further education.
The new legislation also had other changes including with apprenticeship language. For example
- journeyperson has replaced journeyman
- blue record book is now competence portfolio
- apprenticeship contracts are now education agreements
- employers are sponsors and mentors
- technical training is classroom instruction
Previously apprentices had to be registered and have an employer to start their training. In the new legislation, you are able to start an apprenticeship program just by registering.
The new act came into force in July 2022. See the Tradesecrets website for more details on Skilled Trades and Apprenticeship Education Act.
To find an employer, check MyTradesecrets for tips on the begin an apprenticeship page.