Steamfitter-Pipefitter
Steamfitter-pipefitter
Contact Us
Katelyn Vallee
Trades Enrolment Specialist
780 871 5451
780 808 5766
Ask me your questions
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
Our tuition and fees page has details about academic, application and mandatory fees and their cost breakdown per term.
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 |
|
| 2nd period |
|
| 3rd period |
|
| 4th period |
|
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.
- 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.
- 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).
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.
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:
- apprenticeship@lakelandcollege.ca
- 780 853 8500
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.
- You may take specific professional development courses. Lakeland offers some of those courses through trades continuing education.
- Take a second or third trade. See Alberta's Tradesecrets website for related trades. Related trades include:
- boilermaker
- metal fabricator (fitter)
- welder
- 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.
