NAIT receives funding to expand apprenticeship seats

Starting September 26, NAIT is opening 132 apprenticeship seats spanning five trade programs thanks to funding from the Government of Alberta. 

Announced on September 23 at NAIT’s Main Campus, the Ministry of Advanced Education has committed over $760,000 to boost apprenticeship enrolment for Electrician, Powerline Technician and the pipe trades, which includes Plumber, Steamfitter-Pipefitter, and Gasfitter. 

Matt Lindberg, dean of NAIT’s School of Skilled Trades says that this funding is an important step for apprenticeship expansion in Alberta and will allow more training opportunities province-wide, which in turn will produce job-ready, skilled tradespeople who will contribute to the economic prosperity of Alberta and beyond. 

He adds that NAIT is committed to apprenticeship education and will continue to meet the needs of industries in Alberta where there is a demand for skilled workers while ensuring our programs are sustainable and aligned with student demand. 

NAIT will begin calling students who are on the waitlist for the polytechnic’s electrician, powerline technician, plumbing, gasfitting, and steamfitting-pipefitting programs on Monday, September 26. The expanded seats will begin to be filled as early as November 2022. 

The funding is part of the Government of Alberta’s Alberta at Work initiative, which is a collection of strategic investments to help Albertans develop new skills and grow their careers. 

Quick Facts 

• The total funding NAIT received is $764,395 
• The funding will allow NAIT to open  
  • 72 additional seats for Plumber, Steamfitter-Pipefitter and Gasfitter  
  • 36 additional seats for Electrician 
  • 24 additional seats for Powerline Technician 
• The expanded seats will begin to be filled as early as November 2022 

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