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STEAMFITTER – PIPEFITTER |
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Steamfitter-Pipefitters & Employers: Urgent Notice!
Select Alternate Year - 2005 - 2006 - 2007 - 2008
Steamfitter – pipefitters lay out, assemble, fabricate, maintain and repair piping systems which carry water, steam, chemicals or fuel used in heating, cooling, lubricating and other processes.
To install a typical piping system in a commercial building or industrial plant, steamfitter – pipefitters:
Steamfitter – pipefitters also remove and replace worn components, do general maintenance work and may work on plant shut-downs.
Steamfitter – pipefitters work both indoors and outdoors at physically demanding tasks that often require climbing. They work approximately 40 hours a week, with overtime sometimes required to meet construction deadlines. Construction contractors may require employees to travel and live in rented accommodation or at a company “on-site” camp.
There is some risk of injury involved in working with power tools and heavy equipment.
The work is most rewarding for those who enjoy working with little direction or supervision.
To be successful in their trade, steamfitter – pipefitters need:
Steamfitter – pipefitters are employed by pipeline construction contractors and sub-contractors, thermal or steam generating plants, manufacturers, utility companies, oil refineries, gas plants, pulp mills and chemical plants. Employment prospects change with the seasonal and economic climates.
Journeyperson wage rates vary, but generally range from $24 to $30 an hour plus benefits.
Experienced steamfitter – pipefitters may advance to supervisory positions such as foreman, sub-contractor, contractor and construction superintendent.
To work as a Steamfitter - Pipefitter in Alberta, a person must be a registered apprentice or a certified journeyperson or hold a recognized trade certificate. (see Recognized Trade Certificates)
Steamfitter – pipefitters learn their skills by registering with Alberta Apprenticeship and Industry Training to participate in apprenticeship training and, upon successful completion, are awarded the Alberta Journeyman Certificate.
A steamfitter – pipefitter who holds a valid trade certificate from Alberta or from another Canadian province or territory may apply to write the Interprovincial Exam and, if successful, be granted a Red Seal under the Interprovincial Standards Program. The Red Seal is recognized throughout most of Canada.
A steamfitter – pipefitter who holds a certificate that was issued by another recognized apprenticeship authority in Canada (province, territory or federal jurisdiction) may apply for an Alberta Equivalency document under the Equivalency Program.
Steamfitter – pipefitters who:
may be eligible to apply for trade certification under the Qualification Certificate Program.
Individuals possessing a valid Alberta Journeyman Certificate, an Alberta Occupational Certificate, or a credential that is recognized as equivalent to an Alberta trade or occupational certificate are eligible to receive a Blue Seal business credential after completing the necessary requirements.
The term of apprenticeship for a steamfitter – pipefitter is 3 years (three 12-month periods) including a minimum of 1500 hours of on-the-job training and 8 weeks of technical training each year.
To learn the skills required of a steamfitter – pipefitter in Alberta and be issued an Alberta Journeyman Certificate, a person must:
Most employers prefer to hire high school graduates and may select apprentices from among their current employees.
- select an educational institution that offers training for steamfitter - pipefitter apprentices, and a time to attend training (see Technical Training Locations and Schedule)
- determine requirements for enrolling at the selected institution, and forward completed enrollment form to the selected institution (see Enrollment Instructions)
Apprentices may attempt the Interprovincial Exam in the final period of their apprenticeship training and, if successful, be granted a Red Seal. (see Exam Counselling Sheets)
When apprentices attend technical training, they are required to pay the applicable tuition fee and purchase course supplies.
Grants, scholarships and other financial assistance may be available. More information is available at www.tradesecrets.gov.ab.ca or by contacting an Apprenticeship and Industry Training Office.
To qualify for a Red Seal, a person must:
- an Alberta trade certificate or completion of apprenticeship certificate, OR
- a journeyperson or completion of apprenticeship certificate issued by another Canadian province or territory
To qualify for an Equivalency document based on a recognized credential, a person must:
A person who has a recognized certificate, as described above, does not require an Alberta Equivalency document to work in the trade in Alberta. However, some employers may require an Alberta Equivalency document as proof that the certificate is equivalent to the requirements of the trade in Alberta.
To qualify for a Qualification Certificate based on Canadian credentials, a person must:
To qualify for an Alberta Qualification Certificate based on work experience, a person must:
- a certified plumber must have at least 4,500 hours and 36 months of ‘hands-on’ work experience as a steamfitter – pipefitter
- a welder must have at least 4,500 hours and 36 monhs of 'hands-on' work experience as a steamfitter – pipefitter
- a certified sprinkler systems installer must have at least 4,500 hours and 36 months of ‘hands-on’ work experience as a steamfitter – pipefitter
- a certified gasfitter (A) must have at least 4,500 hours and 36 months of ‘hands-on’ work experience as a steamfitter – pipefitter
Time spent on supervisory or foreman duties, counter work, heading the tool crib, or on a training course is NOT counted as ‘hands-on’ work experience.
This application fee covers the verification and assessment of the applicant's work experience hours/months as well as one attempt at the Qualification Certificate theory examination. The Qualification Certificate practical examination requires a separate fee as identified on the application noted above.
