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Apprenticeship

Parts Technician

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Campus

The location where your NAIT courses will be held.

School

The educational branch of NAIT that offers this program. Each school is uniquely equipped with facilities, equipment, and curriculum designed to benefit the needs of their students.

Credential

The type of certification (degree, diploma, certificate) you will earn after completing your program.

  • Degree - NAIT offers a number of business degrees and applied science and technology degrees accredited by Alberta Advanced Education.
    Applied degree programs offer a stronger emphasis on practical applications of the concepts learned in the classroom
  • Diplomas & Certificates - These credit programs take 1 or 2 years and lead to government approved and industry-recognized credentials.
  • Journeyman Certificate - Hands-on and expert-led apprenticeship and industry training for skilled trades and technology professionals.
  • Continuing Education/Non-Credit - NAIT offers a wide range of non-credit programs and courses for personal and professional development in a number of interesting and exciting fields. These options are great for people who may be working but are interested in studying as well.

Delivery Options

The flexible schedule options for this course including time of day and full/part-time.

  • Day - Courses taking place between Monday - Friday, before 5 PM.
  • Evening/Weekend - Courses taking place on weekdays from 5 PM or later, or Saturdays and Sundays.
  • Online - Sometimes called "Home Study" or "Computer-Based Learning"
  • Blended - A combination of online and in-class components.
  • Distance - Traditional correspondence format. These courses work best if you can't get to a campus or if your schedule can't accommodate fixed class times

Periods

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.

The Parts Technician program has 2 apprenticeship specializations.

  • Parts technician – parts will train you to identify, dispense and manage parts inventories, which may include automotive, heavy duty, farm implement, industrial, recreational vehicle, jobber, plumbing or electrical.
  • Parts technician – materials will train you in the movement of materials in a wide variety of industries, including agricultural, forestry, manufacturing, mining, oil and gas, transportation and wholesale/retail.

The Parts Technician program is made up of 2 distinct but closely related specializations: parts technician and materials technician.

Hands-on, industry-relevant training 

The Parts 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.

Parts Technician

This trade is most rewarding for those who enjoy variety, working with people, working in their area of expertise and participating in the customer's success. To be successful in their trade, parts technicians need

  • the ability to deal effectively and courteously with the public, even in difficult situations
  • basic math skills
  • the ability to lift up to 18 kilograms
  • the ability to pay careful attention to details, such as parts catalogues and electronic inventory systems

Materials Technician

This trade appeals to those who enjoy taking a methodical approach to their work, operating handling equipment and keeping detailed records. To be successful in the trade, materials technicians need

  • physical strength and stamina
  • manual dexterity
  • the ability to lift up to 18 kilograms
  • the ability to work independently
  • good math, communication and computer skills
  • the ability to get along well with customers and fellow workers

Enter the workforce with confidence 

Parts Technician

Parts technicians are employed by wholesale / retail businesses and warehouse distributors that deal with all types of parts. Apprentice parts technicians may begin working as stock / receiving clerks or drivers. As they become acquainted with the different parts, their applications and the stockroom system, they can be promoted to parts counter positions.

Experienced parts technicians who have business and technical experience may advance to supervisory positions such as parts department manager, store manager or even store owner. With some sales experience, parts technicians can move into sales representative positions.

Materials Technician

Most materials technicians are located in urban centres where manufacturers, wholesalers and large retailers have their warehouses. Others may be located where large manufacturing facilities are concentrated in non-urban settings (wood products plants, petroleum production facilities, etc.)

With the appropriate training and work experience, individuals can advance into supervisory positions, or into related fields such as purchasing, inventory control or materials management.

Flexible learning options

The Parts Technician program can be taken 2 different ways.

  • The normal block release system, where the apprentice attends school for 6 hours per day for 6 or 8 weeks (depending upon the period).  Students in the block release system can expect to spend, on average 30 hours per week attending classes and labs.
  • The WATS (Weekly Apprentice Training System), where the apprentice attends classes at NAIT one day per week (1:15 to 7:45 p.m.) for 40 weeks (first period) or 30 weeks (second and third period). The WATS option allows students to maintain full employment while attending school. This is especially favourable for apprentices who live close to NAIT.

Have questions? We've got answers

General program information

Email: parts@nait.ca 
Phone: 780.471.7688

General apprenticeship information

(including duties, enrolment/registration, training locations, policies and procedures in Alberta)

Alberta Apprenticeship and Industry Training 
Phone: 1.800.248.4823 
Fax: 780.422.3734


Periods

View periods for this program

Tuition & Fees

Get an estimate on cost to attend

How to Apply

Information on admissions process

Scholarships & Awards

Funding for students in this program

The term of apprenticeship for parts is 3 years (three 12-month periods), including a minimum of 1,500 hours of on-the-job training and either 6 or 8 weeks of technical training each year.

Once training has been completed, the apprentice writes provincial examinations set by the Government of Alberta and becomes certified as a journeyperson.

Period 1

The first period of technical training is 6 weeks in length and common to both specializations. Apprentices are trained in safety skills and procedures, materials handling and storage, material identification, calculations and communication.

Period 2

Parts technicians – The second period of technical training is 8 weeks in length. Apprentices are trained in engines and related systems, power train, steering and suspension, brakes, electrical, auto body, and agriculture and mobile industrial equipment.

Period 2

Materials technicians – The second period of technical training is 6 weeks in length. Apprentices are provided further training in materials handling and storage, material identification and tool cribs, as well as warehouse business operations and transportation and traffic.

Period 3

The third period of technical training is 6 weeks in length and common to both specializations. Apprentices are trained in inventory, procurement, design and planning, business management, human relations and advisory network.

Materials Technician

Period 1

  • Tuition: $588.00
  • Books & Supplies: $240.00
  • NAITSA & Materials Fee: $117.88
  • Athletic Fee: $28.20

Period 2

  • Tuition: $588.00
  • Books & Supplies: $240.00
  • NAITSA & Materials Fee: $117.88
  • Athletic Fee: $28.20

Period 3

  • Tuition: $588.00
  • Books & Supplies: $160.00
  • NAITSA & Materials Fee: $117.88
  • Athletic Fee: $28.20

Parts Technician

Period 1

  • Tuition: $588.00
  • Books & Supplies: $240.00
  • NAITSA & Materials Fee: $117.88
  • Athletic Fee: $28.20

Period 2

  • Tuition: $784.00
  • Books & Supplies: $320.00
  • NAITSA & Materials Fee: $134.88
  • Athletic Fee: $37.60

Period 3

  • Tuition: $588.00
  • Books & Supplies: $160.00
  • NAITSA & Materials Fee: $117.88
  • Athletic Fee: $28.20

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

Scholarships & Awards

NAIT supports over 4,000 students with over $6 million in scholarships and bursaries each year. Many are available for students across a wide range of programs.

Explore our available Scholarships and Bursaries

Red Seal

The Interprovincial Red Seal Program was developed to provide journeypersons with the ability to work anywhere in Canada.

Learn more

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

Explore your options

There are many different ways to experience a NAIT education, from full-time diploma programs and apprenticeships to part-time degrees. Let us help you choose what's right for you.

Apply for Apprenticeship and Industry Training

Begin the application process through MyTradesecrets.

Apply Now How to Apply

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