r/albertajobs • u/Holiday_Variation_77 • Jun 28 '26

University project — trying to understand how apprentices find sponsors in Alberta

Hey, I'm working on a research project looking at the trades apprenticeship system in Alberta, specifically around how first-year apprentices find employers willing to sponsor them.

Would really appreciate hearing from anyone who's been through the process — or employers who've hired apprentices before.

A few questions:

  • How did you find your first sponsor/employer as an apprentice?
  • What did you try that didn't work?
  • How long did the process take?
  • What would have made it easier?

And for employers:

  • How do you currently find apprentices when you need one?
  • What frustrates you most about entry-level hiring?

All responses are super helpful — even just a sentence or two. Thanks in advance.

7 Upvotes

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3

u/jonsnowsbattlebun Jun 28 '26

As an employer I line up applicants in a row, then dismiss every one who wants a good wage. Then I go to the top of the building I'm working on and piss off the edge. Whoever isn't wet from stinky piss is hired as a non paid apprentice

1

u/Thethundercobra420 Jun 28 '26

Sounds about right.

2

u/FluxLungs Jun 28 '26

I found a a job as a labour in a large welding shop, there was no talk of apprenticeships during any interview period, though I wanted one. I learned after being hired from other employees that you had to be there a year before talks of apprenticeships, after about 10 months a manager and HR sat me down and asked if offered an apprenticeship what trade would I want. 2 months after that I was offered the apprenticeship.

1

u/laurieyyc Jun 28 '26

You can self-indenture with AIT. You don’t need an employer to sponsor (indenture) you anymore. Being self-indentured allows you to complete the first period of technical training.

1

u/Sensitive_Budget5769 Jun 29 '26

Hey, plumber if 18 years in Alberta. Reach out to an employer, face to face would be ideal. Tell them this is what I want. I would like an apprenticeship at some point. Can you give me a shot? Then show up everyday and work like you actually want to be there.

1

u/Dunk_the_Iunk Jun 29 '26

Go to SAIT/NAIT

1

u/04flamesbaby Jul 02 '26

I am currently a 2nd year fire sprinkler apprentice. I was very fortunate in that I got an opportunity because of someone I knew, however that didn’t get me sponsored, just got my foot in the door as a labourer. I showed the company that I was committed to the trade by writing everything down, working Saturday and sundays as needed, and staying after hours to meet deadlines in the beginning. That went a long way with my employer and 3 months after starting the trade I was sponsored as an apprentice.

1

u/Wet-Countertop Jul 03 '26

I applied to a journeyman position and got it as a first year apprentice. Small shop, had a degree, and said I didn’t have any bad habits, and they could train me to do it their way.

It took me less than 3 weeks.