Apprenticeship

Machinist

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You want to be a machinist. You want to set up and operate high-tech precision manual and computer numerical control (CNC) metal cutting and grinding machines, such as lathes, milling machines, drills and grinders. You want to make and repair products made from metal, plastic, rubber textile, fibreglass and space-age alloys.

But you want to learn more, like how to incorporate manual machining knowledge with CNC machining techniques. You want to get better at turning, milling and grinding. You also want more practice with trigonometry and trade math, which is essential for CNC programming, and using instruments such as micrometers and calipers to measure parts.

At NAIT, we’re here to teach you everything you need to know to be successful in the trade.

The Machinist Apprenticeship Program is designed to accommodate apprentices currently working in the industry. For prospective students who have yet not acquired experience, NAIT also offers 1-year certificate option – CNC Machinist.

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

If you enjoy doing creative work with machinery that requires a high degree of skill and precision, then you will enjoy working as a machinist.

Machinists produce and repair parts for various applications. You will have to safely operate a variety of machine tools. You will be working with high-speed machinery and cutting tools.

To be successful as a machinist, requires a combination of technical skills and commitment to ongoing learning.  To be successful as a machinist, the following skills would be an asset:

  • mechanical aptitude
  • mathematic and measurement proficiency
  • physical and mental endurance including dexterity
  • the ability to work independently at high-concentration tasks
  • computer knowledge
  • safety awareness

Training at NAIT

The Machinist apprenticeship term is:

  • 4 years (four 12-month periods)
    • 10 months (1560 hours) on-the-job training each year
    • 2 months (240 hours) of technical training each year
Machinist

Enter the workforce with confidence

As a machinist, you will be employed wherever equipment is being manufactured or repaired, in factories or industrial plants or for large organizations such as government departments or maintenance companies.

Experienced machinists may become inspectors, supervisors or superintendents, or you can start your own business.

Resources

Machinist

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

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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