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Schedule time with Katelyn
LocationVermilion
CredentialJourneyperson
Program Length4 training periods
Delivery MethodFace-to-face

Steamfitter-pipefitters assemble, maintain and repair piping systems that carry water, steam and chemicals used in processes like heating, cooling and lubricating.

In this role you may be working indoors and outdoors, doing tasks that often require climbing.

You will thrive if you enjoy creative problem-solving and have:

  • good math and science skills
  • sound mechanical ability

Steamfitter-pipefitters have a 4-year apprenticeship. Each year you'll have:

  • 8 weeks of classroom instruction
  • a minimum of 1560 hours of on-the-job training

You'll get your hands-on training in our Trades Centre, learning how to securely join pipe sections together and creating detailed sketches for pipe and equipment fabrication and installation.

In a typical day, steamfitter-pipefitters:

  • study blueprints and drawings
  • cut, thread, bend and install metal, plastic and fiberglass pipes, valves and fittings
  • join pipe sections
  • check systems for leaks
  • conduct system maintenance

You'll find work in sectors such as construction, oil and gas and utilities.

Requirements

More program details

This information will be available soon.

The following tables summarize the topics/skills for each of your four 240 hour (8 week) classroom instruction periods.

For complete details, check the steamfitter-pipefitter course outline, or check steamfitter-pipefitter on Tradesecrets, the Alberta government's Apprentice & Industry Training branch website.

Subject

Hours

Workplace safety and rigging 24
Tools, equipment and materials 91
Metal fabrication 45
Drawings and specifications 32
Calculations and science 48

Subject

Hours

Heating systems 32
Hydronic heating 38
Rigging equipment and hoisting communications 55
Specialty piping 25
Drawings, layout and elevations 52
Gasfitting fundamentals 38

Subject

Hours

Low pressure steam and condensate systems 53
Instrumentation and trade technologies 36
Welding processes 58
Hoist planning and cranes 28
Process diagrams and mitre elbows 65

Subject

Hours

High pressure steam and condensate systems 46
Process piping systems 36
Job planning and critical lifts 67
Revised drawing and projects 91

To see what day registration opens in May, check the 2025-2026 schedule on MyTradeSecrets.

See intake schedules for all apprenticeship intakes at Lakeland College.

To see other important dates such as when the college is closed, visit the academic year and term date page.

Training Period Start and End Dates
1st period
  • Aug 25 - Oct 17, 2025
  • Apr 27 - Jun 19, 2026
2nd period
  • Oct 20 - Dec 12, 2025
3rd period
  • Mar 3 - Apr 25, 2025
  • Jan 5 - Feb 27, 2026
4th period
  • Apr 28 - Jun 20, 2025
  • Mar 2 - Apr 24, 2026

Refund/withdrawal policy

Full refund of fees less $100 if you withdraw up to 5 business days prior to the first day of class. No exceptions.

Enhance your journeyperson status with 2 other standards.

  1. The Red Seal is a national designation. You earn it by passing an interprovincial exam. That means you can work anywhere in Canada with your Red Seal Endorsement (RSE). Currently not all trades have a red seal standard.
  2. The Blue Seal is an Alberta program. It’s earned by taking approved business studies. Now a separate certificate, the program also has a new name: Achievement in Business Competencies (Blue Seal).

A Red Seal shows that you have successfully completed an inter provincial standards exam. You’ll get a distinctive red seal to attach to your journeyman certificate.red seal graphic

This means you will be able to work anywhere in Canada without having to write another province’s trade exam.

The Red Seal Program was created in 1952. It encourages the standardization of apprenticeship training and certification programs across Canada. A national occupational analysis of each of the 56 Red Seal trade is used as a base document for inter provincial exams and is encouraged for use in curriculum development. The Canadian Council of Directors of Apprenticeship (CCDA) administers the program.

Check the Red Seal trades in Alberta.

For more information, check the ​Red Seal Website. Exams, samples questions, and individual trade standards are included.

Lakeland also offers prep courses for red seal exams for anyone who hasn’t achieved their red seal status. Check trades continuing education for those courses.

Blue Seal program is the common name for the Achievement in Business Competencies Program.
blue seal graphic

If you have a valid Alberta Journeyperson Certificate, you are eligible to receive a Blue Seal after completing 150 hours of study in an approved business program. You can choose courses at Lakeland College.

The Alberta Apprenticeship and Industry Training Board established the Achievement in Business Competencies Program. It both encourages and recognizes business studies by anyone who is already certified in an Alberta designated trade or occupation.

Complete details are available on the Blue Seal website.

Lakeland offers you the ability to take both online and face-to-face business courses in Lloydminster.

You can earn while you learn as you can fit the courses into your work schedule.

Take courses in our 1-year general business certificate. You'll need at least 4 courses to reach the minimum 150 hours to earn a blue seal.

If you have the academic requirements, you could earn the certificate.

Please contact our business enrolment specialist for more information about how to apply for courses and how to reach your goal.

Classes start immediately after orientation, so be prepared to start your studies on orientation day. Bring binders, pens and pencils with you, or purchase them on registration day from the Lakeland bookstore. 

Bring personal protection equipment. You will be working in the shop the first day.

Required supplies

  • protective apparel - cotton coveralls/Carhartt
  • one pair leather welder's gloves (gauntlet type)
  • one pair leather palm work gloves
  • one welder's hat/beanie
  • three 3-ring binders (3" letter size)
  • one 6" compass
  • one padlock (for locker)
  • approved clear safety glasses (compulsory) or prescription glasses (hardened or plastic, complete with side shields)
  • steel toe safety boots (CSA approved)
  • calculator (Casio FX260) - available at Lakeland bookstore
  • H, 2H and 4H drafting pencils
  • white eraser
  • metric/imperial tape measure
  • 9 inch torpedo level

If you have any questions, please contact:

New credential

Alberta's new Skilled Trades and Apprenticeship Education Act is adding another credential for successful journeypersons. Certificates through advanced diplomas will be granted based on the number of credits in the particular trade.  One apprenticeship credit is equal to 300 on-the-jobs hours or 15 classroom hours.

Your credential helps employers recognize your level of education as well as help you if you pursue further education.

Steamfitter-pipefitters receive an Alberta government advanced diploma and an Alberta journeyperson certificate.

Continue your learning

Your journeyperson ticket can be a starting point, not an end point of your steamfitter-pipefitter skills.

  1. You may take specific professional development courses. Lakeland offers some of those courses through trades continuing education.
  2. Take a second or third trade. See Alberta's Tradesecrets website for related trades. Related trades include:
  3. boilermaker
  4. metal fabricator (fitter)
  5. welder
  6. You also have the option of earning Red and Blue Seals. The steamfitter-pipefitter Red Seal has been around since 1966.
Red Seal

Your Red Seal indicates you’ve passed an interprovincial exam and can work in any part of Canada.

Blue Seal

This Alberta certification encourages journeypersons to study business. Earning your seal requires 150 hours of study at an approved institution (Lakeland qualifies). See the Blue and Red Seal page (link above) for more information.

Worker using wrench to tighten a part
You'll showcase your skills in the classroom, in the trades centre, on the job and even at competitions. In the last six years, Lakeland students have won 17 skills Alberta medals.


Learning in action

Students working on heavy equipment
Home to the multiple apprenticeship trades offered on the Vermilion campus, our Trades Centre is fully equipped for you to learn all that you need. Check it out through a virtual tour.


Explore our campus

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Our alumni are finding fulfilling and satisfying careers in their trades. Look at where an apprenticeship can take you and begin building your own future today. 


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