Apprenticeship

Instrumentation and Control Technician

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At NAIT, instrumentation and control technician apprentices get hands-on training in well-equipped industrial instrumentation and process labs. You will work on diverse equipment, including pneumatic, electronic and microcomputer-based instruments used to measure and control industrial plant processes. This training develops the problem-solving skills and competencies needed to work safely and efficiently in increasingly automated industries.

NAIT has been delivering the Instrumentation and Control Technician (formerly Instrument Technician) apprentice program since 1969.

Quick Facts

Credential: Journeyman Certificate

Hands-on and expert-led apprenticeship and industry training for skilled trades and technology professionals.

Campus: Main

Any in-person components of your courses will be delivered at NAIT's Main Campus in Edmonton. View map

Delivery Options:

  • Both On-Campus and Virtual - Some of your coursework will be in-person, on campus and some will be done online.

Periods: 4

Apprenticeship is a method of gaining the expertise needed to become a skilled tradesperson. This is done through a combination of on-the-job experience and classroom training.

Most apprenticeship programs are 3-4 periods in length, with an average of 8 weeks for each training period. In addition, there are specific allotments of on-the-job training hours associated with each period, so most apprentices complete 1 period per calendar year.

Hands-on, industry-relevant skills

The Instrumentation and Control Technician program follows the current Alberta Apprenticeship Course Outline (pdf) to ensure all students are provided with appropriate training experiences to successfully pass their apprenticeship examinations.

As a student in NAIT's Instrumentation and Control Technician program, you will have access to our state-of-the-art Spartan Centre for Instrumentation Technology, which features modern classrooms and study spaces, and a number of technical labs and simulated systems.

Classroom & Study Hours

Students can expect to spend, on average

  • 30 hours per week in classrooms and labs
  • 30 hours per week studying outside of class time

What's in an apprenticeship education?

Apprenticeship training for Communication Technicians is post-secondary education designed to provide Alberta with a steady supply of highly skilled employees.

Apprenticeship involves a combination of on-the-job training as an employee of a participating employer, and technical training at NAIT. The term of apprenticeship for a Communication Technician is 4 years. The four 12-month periods include:

  • A minimum of 1500 hours of on-the-job training for each year under the supervision of a certified journeyperson or qualified Communications Technician tradesperson
  • 6 weeks during each of the first 3 years and 8 weeks in the fourth year of technical training, which includes learning the theory, hands-on skills and technologies of the trade

Each period of technical training concludes with an apprenticeship board examination that requires a passing grade of 70% to continue to the next year. 

Learn more about the apprenticeship periods of this program

Blue Seal

If you are a certified Blue Seal journeyperson in Alberta, you've proven that you meet Alberta's high industry standards and possess the skills to succeed in your trade.

Learn more

Enter the workforce with confidence

With industry becoming increasingly automated, instrumentation and control technicians are needed virtually anywhere there are control and metering systems, such as in:

  • pulp and paper processing
  • hydro power generation
  • mining, petrochemical and natural gas
  • industrial and commercial manufacturing
  • industrial construction
  • industrial instrument servicing

Experienced instrumentation and control technicians may advance to supervisory positions, be employed as engineering technicians or move into company sales offices.

For more information on roles, duties, career paths, salaries and more, visit:

Instrumentation and Control Technician

Periods

Tuition & Fees

The tuition and fee amounts below are estimates based on current academic year’s rates. For financial planning purposes, please use these totals as an approximate estimate of your costs. Actual fees may vary by term and enrolment activities. Students who take all of their courses online are exempt from U-Pass, Health & Dental, and Recreation & Athletics fees. All fees are subject to change. Please refer to the tuition and fees page for more detailed information.

View the technical equipment requirements (PDF)

Scholarships & Awards

How to Apply

Complete an apprenticeship application & contract form

Effective November 1, 2014, you must fillout the application located on the MyTradesecrets website for Alberta Apprenticeship and Industry Training Board staff to determine if you are eligible for status as an indentured apprentice.

Dates & Deadlines

Once you are an indentured apprentice, you can review the availability and start and end dates of the program you are interested in. Log into your MyTradesecrets profile and do a search under the Class Registration section. Then you can determine the schedule that best fits your needs.

We recommend submitting your program application at least 90 days before the application deadline.

Apply to Program

Apply to the program with step-by-step instructions on how to complete the application process. Please note, processing time may vary for applicants, so we recommend starting early.

Apply nowHow to apply checklist

Want to learn more about this program?

Thank you for your interest! We want to get you in contact with the right person to answer your questions.

Please contact the Student Service Centre for general inquiries such as:

  • Student application support
  • Program entrance requirements, tuition & fees, and how to apply
  • Program admissions process
  • Enrolment support
  • Student funding options
  • Fee and refund inquiries
  • General program and course withdrawal procedures
  • Navigating nait.ca and MyNAITPortal

Contact Student Service Centre

Please fill out the form below if you have any program-specific questions relating to:

  • Program details
  • Work-integrated learning and cooperative education
  • Advance credit and Prior Learning Assessment & Recognition (PLAR)
  • Program and course withdrawal



The personal information on this form is being collected under the authority of the Post-secondary Learning Act and section 33(c) of the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act (FOIP). The information will be protected by the provisions of FOIP, and will be used for the purpose of registration and administration of the event. If you have any questions or concerns about the collection, use, security or disclosure of the personal information, please contact General Council at 780.471.7664 or legal@nait.ca.

Apply for Apprenticeship and Industry Training

Begin the application process through MyTradesecrets.

Apply Now How to Apply

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