Alberta's booming construction and infrastructure sector needs qualified tradespeople. Launch your apprenticeship pathway with BrightlyEd's pre-apprenticeship and trades foundations programs.
| Program | Credential | Duration | Domestic Tuition | Intake | Leads To |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Trades Foundations | Certificate | 4 months | $2,800 | Fall, Winter, Spring | Any apprenticeship trade |
| Electrical Pre-Apprenticeship | Certificate | 6 months | $3,600 | Fall & Winter | Electrician (Journeyperson) |
| Plumbing & Pipefitting Pre-Apprenticeship | Certificate | 6 months | $3,600 | Fall & Winter | Plumber / Pipefitter JM |
| HVAC Technician | Certificate | 8 months | $4,200 | Fall | HVAC Mechanic JM / Gas Fitter |
| Construction Project Management | Certificate | 1 year | $4,800 | Fall | Project Coordinator / Superintendent |
| Industrial Maintenance | Certificate | 8 months | $4,000 | Fall | Industrial Mechanic / Millwright |
Trades Foundations is the essential first step for anyone considering an apprenticeship trade but unsure which specialty to pursue. This four-month certificate exposes students to six core trade disciplines — electrical, plumbing, framing, concrete forming, welding, and HVAC — through hands-on rotations in our 6,000 sq ft trades shop. Graduates also earn WHMIS, First Aid/CPR, and Construction Safety Training System (CSTS-09) certifications, giving them the safety credentials required before setting foot on a job site.
Upon completion, BrightlyEd's Trades Employment Coordinator works with graduates to identify employers willing to sponsor apprenticeship indentures. We maintain relationships with 60+ construction, mechanical, and electrical contractors across the Calgary region.
Alberta Journeyperson Electricians earn $45–$75/hr, and the province has a persistent shortage of qualified tradespeople. This six-month pre-apprenticeship certificate is recognized by Alberta Apprenticeship & Industry Training (AIT) and covers electrical theory (Ohm's Law, series/parallel circuits, AC/DC systems), the Canadian Electrical Code (CEC), conduit bending, residential and commercial wiring, motor controls, and panel installation. Graduates are ready to register as Period 1 apprentices and begin working toward their Journeyperson Certificate.
Plumbers and pipefitters are among the highest-earning tradespersons in Alberta. This six-month pre-apprenticeship certificate covers the Alberta Plumbing Code, pipe systems (copper, ABS, PEX, cast iron, galvanized), drainage and venting principles, gas fitting fundamentals, residential and commercial plumbing installations, and pipefitting for industrial applications. AIT approval means graduates receive Period 1 credit and can register as apprentices immediately upon finding an indentured employer.
Graduates who obtain an employer sponsor may indenture as either a Plumber or a Pipefitter apprentice. BrightlyEd's curriculum satisfies AIT competency requirements for both trade designations, giving graduates maximum flexibility in where they work and what they build.
Heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) technicians install, maintain, and repair climate control systems in residential, commercial, and industrial buildings. With Alberta's extreme weather swings (−30°C winters to +35°C summers), HVAC technicians are in year-round demand. This eight-month certificate covers refrigeration theory and systems, air handling units, gas furnaces, heat pumps, ductwork design, controls and thermostats, refrigerant handling (EPA-equivalent), and gas fitting (Class B Gas Fitter requirements). Graduates may indenture as Period 1 apprentice HVAC Mechanics or Gas Fitters.
Not every career in construction involves swinging a hammer. Project managers, estimators, and superintendents coordinate teams of tradespeople to deliver complex projects on time and on budget. This one-year certificate is designed for people with some trades exposure who want to move into coordination and management roles, or for those entering the industry in a management-track capacity. Topics include construction estimating, scheduling (Microsoft Project, Primavera P6), contract law, procurement, health & safety management (COR standard), and site supervision. Graduates are eligible to sit the Gold Seal Certification (GSC) exam after gaining the required field experience.
Industrial maintenance technicians (also called millwrights) install, maintain, and repair industrial machinery, conveyor systems, pumps, compressors, and process equipment in manufacturing plants, food processing facilities, oil & gas plants, and pulp mills. This eight-month certificate covers mechanical systems, hydraulics and pneumatics, industrial bearings and seals, alignment and balancing, basic electrical controls (PLCs), and preventive maintenance systems. Graduates are eligible to indenture as Period 1 Industrial Mechanic (Millwright) apprentices — one of the highest-paid trade designations in Alberta at $65–$90/hr journeyperson level.
Applications for Fall 2025 and Winter 2026 intakes are open now. Small class sizes — maximum 16 students per trades cohort.