Apprenticeship is a method of gaining the expertise needed to become a skilled tradesperson. This is done through a combination of on-the-job and classroom training.
The instrument technician apprenticeship term is 4 years (four 12-month periods), including a minimum of 1,500 hours of on-the-job training and 8 weeks of technical training in the first and second periods, and 1,425 hours of on-the-job training and 10 weeks of technical training in the third and fourth periods.
Once training has been completed, the apprentice writes provincial examinations set by the Government of Alberta and becomes certified as a journeyperson.
Period Descriptions
Period 1
The first period of technical training is 8 weeks in length. Apprentices are trained in safety, shop practices, theory and laboratory, electrical theory and safety, basic measurements and calibration, final control elements, and related applied physics and mathematics.
Period 2
The second period of technical training is 8 weeks in length. Apprentices are trained in measurement instruments, control instruments, electrical and digital fundamentals, process equipment and energy systems.
Period 3
The third period of technical training is 10 weeks in length. Apprentices are trained in electronic instrument loops, measurement, physical properties, process analyzers and process control.
Period 4
The fourth period of technical training is 10 weeks in length. Apprentices are trained in advanced process control, communication, control systems, process analyzers, maintenance and workplace coaching skills.