Be ready to open the tap on your career.
With successful completion of our four-year Plumber Apprenticeship, you’ll receive two Alberta Journeyperson Certificates—Plumber and Gasfitter – Class B, and Plumber. You’ll be ready to do essential work in new construction, renovations or repairs to keep water, waste and gas flowing.
Not working in the industry yet? Start with our Pre-Pipe Trades certificate.
Grab and Go Information
Why should you study Plumber Apprenticeship at Lethbridge Polytechnic?
Eight weeks of the year, you’ll be learning and working on campus in our dedicated plumbing shop, equipped for gasfitting and plumbing installations in a range of circumstances you’ll encounter on the job. The rest of the time you’ll be working and learning through your employer. You’ll be able to work in commercial and residential settings, assembling, installing and repairing valves, fittings, pipes and fixtures.
80%
the amount of time you’ll spend in the program learning on the job with skilled plumbers
$83,219
the average annual salary of a plumber working in Alberta
85.9%
of plumbers work in the construction industry in Alberta
Career Opportunities
You’ll have all the skills you need when you finish your apprenticeship to find employment through:
- Commercial and Residential Construction Companies
- Plumbing Repair Shops
- Renovation Companies
- Self-employment
63%
of employers in Alberta who hire plumbers have recruited in the last two years
2
you'll be eligible to write two Alberta journey person certificate exams at the end of your apprenticeship: plumber and plumber and gas fitter - class B
Visit ALIS website for more career information.
At-a-Glance
Credential / Accreditation
Certified 'Journeyman' Papers
Duration
4 years
International Eligibility
This program is not available for International Students.
Academic Centre
Admissions
Apply through MyTradesecretsAcademic Requirements
- Successful completion of English 20-2, Math 20-3 and Science 10, or a passing mark in all five Canadian General Educational Development (GED) or Canadian Adult Education Credential (CAEC) tests, or entrance exam.
- English 30-2, Math 30-3, Physics 30 or Chemistry 30 or Science 30 and related career and technology studies courses recommended.
Additional information on apprenticeship and industry training is available on Alberta's Tradesecrets website.
Admission
You can apply for apprenticeship and industry training through MyTradesecrets.
To arrange a tour, call 403.320.3366 or toll-free 1.800.572.0103.
Alberta Apprenticeship and Industry Training Board
Provincial Building, Room 280
200 - 5th Avenue South
Lethbridge AB T1J 4C7
Telephone: 1-800-248-4823
Outside of North America: 1-403-476-9757
Fax: 403-381-5795
Ask about the Alberta Apprenticeship Scholarship Program. You might discover you’re eligible for a financial award!
Apprenticeship programs require eight to 12 weeks of classroom training each year in addition to on-the-job training.
Courses include:
- Gas-fired heating systems
- Hydronic heating and cooling systems
- Specialty piping
- Matter, density and relative density
- Trades math
- Medical gas piping
- Pressure reducing valves and booster pumps
- Private and public potable water systems
- Residential drainage, waste and venting
Tuition costs are estimates for the 2025/2026 year.
| Title | Tuition | Fees | Books/Supplies |
|---|---|---|---|
| Year 1
|
$1,008.00
|
$268.00
|
$800.00
|
| Year 2
|
$1,008.00
|
$268.00
|
$800.00
|
| Year 3
|
$1,008.00
|
$268.00
|
$800.00
|
| Year 4
|
$1,008.00
|
$268.00
|
$800.00
|
View detailed program cost estimates
Notes
Costs for supplies may vary considerably depending on what students already have or where they purchased their supplies; cost provided is on the moderately high end.
Budget Wizard
Our Budget Wizard is a free self-service tool that can help you make sense of your finances and the cost of your education. Give it a try!
The Plumber Apprenticeship program is an apprenticeship program delivered face-to-face on campus but may have some blended and hyflex components.
Apprenticeship
Apprenticeship programs require eight to 12 weeks of classroom training each year in addition to on-the-job training. You’ll work with an employer and our experienced instructors to gain the best of both worlds as you work and earn money while training.
Featured Graduates
Cole Bishoff
“What I enjoyed most about my college experience was going to school locally, which allowed me to make contacts within my trade. The quality of education was very good, and I had excellent instruction.”
Jordan VanDerKooi
“I decided to start my career in the trades after we started a family and I realized that I needed to provide a more stable life and career path. I always liked working with my hands and it seemed like a good fit for me. The plumbing lab was set up well and equipped to demonstrate a lot of the aspects of our job and all three instructors had different experiences in their careers and were able to bring something different to the program. There’s a lot of variety in the plumbing field and, between the equipment and tools in the lab paired with our instructors’ experience, we were able to cover a lot of bases.”
Jessica Murray
“I think that the trades offer incredible opportunities for people. I absolutely love how hands-on my job is. It provides a challenge every day. I get to learn how to troubleshoot and problem solve. I get to work a lot with my hands as well as my head. It’s just a perfect combination for me. I am super lucky to have many other supportive co-workers, friends and family who really help me to see that I can do this – and I can do it well. I take all of those negative comments and use them to fuel myself to move forward and to be the best that I can be.”