Apprenticeship Steamfitter-Pipefitter

We make sure you are industry ready!

Learn how to measure, lay out, assemble, fabricate, maintain and repair piping systems which carry water, steam, chemicals or fuel used in heating, cooling, lubricating and other processes utilizing not only steel but alloys, plastics, fiberglass as well.

You'll learn how to join sections of pipe properly, read blue prints and create your own detailed fabrication drawings, manufacture supports and brackets for piping systems, and work with qualified welders to tack fittings and supports in place.

NOTE:  Period 1 of Steamfitter-Pipefitter is common period among pipe trades. Apprentice plumbers, gasfitters and sprinkler system installers are eligible to enroll in the same Period 1.

Apply here.

This trade is made for someone who:

  • Is mechanically inclined
  • Can multitask
  • Can creatively solve problems
  • Can visualize and execute complex instructions
  • Comfortable with math and science
  • Enjoys working in a physically active environment

This trade requires certification, meaning that a person must either be a registered apprentice working under the guidance of a certified journeyperson or they must be a certified journeyperson themselves. Portage College will help you earn this certification.

Career Potential

Employment as an Apprentice Steamfitter-Pipefitter. Higher levels of apprenticeship create opportunities such as advancement in the field, enhanced skills and responsibilities, higher pay and increased job opportunities. Each level is another step to fulfilling the requirements to obtain a journeyman ticket.

Steamfitter-Pipefitters have a versatile skillset, allowing them to work in a number of settings. These can include: iHospital and other commercial building construction and maintenance, pulp mills, ship building,  off shore oil platforms,  mining sites (both mineral extraction and open pit oil extraction), SAGD oil extraction, chemical and plastic processing facilities, LNG transportation and distribution centers as well as power plants of every type.

Admission Requirements

Period 1

Students must be a registered apprentice with Alberta Apprenticeship and Industry Training (AIT) and be eligible for identified period training.


Period 2
Successful completion of Period 1

Period 3
Successful completion of Period 2

Period 4
Successful completion of Period 3

Transferability

The technical training is the standard through the Province; therefore apprentices may take their training at Portage College or any college or technical institute in Alberta offering Welder Apprenticeship training.

Program Start Dates

Period 1: August 18, 2025

Period 2: October 21, 2024

Period 3 & Period 1 Blended: January 6, 2025

Period 4: March 3, 2025

Application Deadlines

Period 1: August 4, 2025

Period 2: October 7, 2024

Period 3 & Period 1 Blended: December 1, 2024

Period 4: February 17, 2025

Location
Lac La Biche Campus

Apprenticeship Steamfitter-Pipefitter Period 1

Tuition $1044.00
Student Association $68.95
Recreation Fee $23.54
Total $1,136.49

Visit  Portage Bookstore for textbooks and supplies

Apprenticeship Steamfitter-Pipefitter Period 2

Tuition $1044.00
Student Association $68.95
Recreation Fee $23.54
Total $1,136.49

Visit  Portage Bookstore for textbooks and supplies

Apprenticeship Steamfitter-Pipefitter Period 3

Tuition $1044.00
Student Association $68.95
Recreation Fee $23.54
Total $1,136.49

Visit  Portage Bookstore for textbooks and supplies

Apprenticeship Steamfitter-Pipefitter Period 4

Tuition $1044.00
Student Association $68.95
Recreation Fee $23.54
Total $1,136.49

Visit  Portage Bookstore for textbooks and supplies

Fee Explanations

Technology Fee This is a mandatory fee assessed to students enrolling in any credit course (except for apprenticeship programs) at Portage College. The fee supports the on-going maintenance and upgrades to administrative systems that support the entire College infrastructure.

As such, it is considered a “mandatory non-instructional fee” and, therefore, is subject to Alberta Advanced Education Public Post-Secondary Institutions’ Tuition Fees Regulations. Visa students are charged the same rate as Canadian residents for this fee.

Athletics & Recreation fees are collected to provide recreation and leisure opportunities that promote students’ physical, social, and emotional well-being, whether online or through in person facilities. Check out your +region in the link, to see what is offered at your campus or online.

Students’ Association Fees These fees are authorized by student referendum and the Board of Governors. They are collected by the College on behalf of the Students’ Association in accordance with the Post Secondary Learning Act.

Other purchases may be necessary in order for students to complete their courses/program.

Apprenticeship Steamfitter-Pipefitter

  • Workplace Safety and Rigging

    Course ID: SFPF110

    Name: Workplace Safety and Rigging

    Hours: 24

    Credits: 0

    Learn to apply legislation, regulations and practices ensuring safe work, use industry standard practices for climbing, lifting, rigging and hoisting, apply industry standard practices for hazardous materials and fire protection, use codes and standards that are applied in the pipe trades, and apply arc flash safety and lockout and tagout on a jobsite.

  • TOOLS, EQUIPMENT, AND MATERIALS

    Course ID: SFPF111

    Name: TOOLS, EQUIPMENT, AND MATERIALS

    Hours: 91

    Credits:

    Learn to use hand and power tools common in the pipe trades, construct welded and flanged piping system components, plastic piping and tubing systems, threaded and grooved piping system components, tube and tubing system components, install valves, hangers, supports and fasteners for piping systems, conduct a pressure test, and describe pumps for piping systems.

  • METAL FABRICATION

    Course ID: SFPF112

    Name: METAL FABRICATION

    Hours: 45

    Credits:

    Learn to apply safe work practices according to Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHS) legislation, use oxy-fuel and arc welding equipment, and braze and solder metal alloys.

  • DRAWINGS AND SPECIFICATIONS

    Course ID: SFPF113

    Name: DRAWINGS AND SPECIFICATIONS

    Hours: 32

    Credits:

    Learn to apply sketching and drawing concepts, develop single line pipe drawings, and interpret drawings.

  • CALCULATIONS AND SCIENCE

    Course ID: SFPF114

    Name: CALCULATIONS AND SCIENCE

    Hours: 48

    Credits:

    Learn to apply calculations using both metric and imperial measurements, perform calculations involving perimeter, areas, percentage and grade, calculate volumetric capacities for tanks and cylinders, calculate 45° and 90°offsets for piping systems, calculate mass, densities and relative densities, calculate pressures in metric and imperial values, and perform electrical calculations.

  • HEATING SYSTEMS

    Course ID: SFPF210

    Name: HEATING SYSTEMS

    Hours: 32

    Credits: 0

    Learn to apply scientific fundamentals relating to temperature and heat transfer processes, apply expansion and contraction control measures on piping systems, install heat transfer equipment and piping, perform latent and sensible heat calculations, perform heat loss calculations to determine equipment selection, install heat emission units, and apply the principles of buoyancy to equipment submersed in fluids.

  • HYDRONIC HEATING

    Course ID: SFPF211

    Name: HYDRONIC HEATING

    Hours: 38

    Credits: 0

    Learn to install and maintain hydronic heating systems, hydronic heating boilers, boiler trim, circulators and pumps, and install hydronic heating/cooling systems and liquid heat tracing.

  • RIGGIN EQUIPMENT AND HOISTING

    Course ID: SFPF212

    Name: RIGGIN EQUIPMENT AND HOISTING

    Hours: 55

    Credits: 0

    Learn to develop a lift plan for hand rigging, use fibre and wire rope for rigging, Use pulleys and levers for hoisting and lifting materials and equipment, use slings and hoisting equipment, use forms of communication for hoisting operations, and use scaffolds and aerial access equipment.

  • SPECIALTY PIPING

    Course ID: SFPF213

    Name: SPECIALTY PIPING

    Hours: 25

    Credits: 0

    Learn to install and maintain plastic and lined piping, fibreglass reinforced plastic (FRP) piping, cast iron, ductile iron, and glass piping, alloy piping, specialty pipe connectors, and apply techniques for pipe bending.

  • DRAWINGS, LAYOUT AND ELEVATIONS

    Course ID: SFPF214

    Name: DRAWINGS, LAYOUT AND ELEVATIONS

    Hours: 52

    Credits: 0

    Learn to perform trigonometry calculations, calculate offsets for piping systems, construct flange and gasket templates, draw orthographic projections of an object, fabricate a piping system, interpret drawing specifications, and locate piping and equipment from a set of drawings.

  • GASFITTING FUNDAMENTALS

    Course ID: SFPF215

    Name: GASFITTING FUNDAMENTALS

    Hours: 38

    Credits:

    Learn to apply knowledge related to the properties of gas, install and service gas line components, use test equipment to service appliances, and service pilots, thermocouples and thermopiles.

  • LOW PRESSURE STEAM AND CONDENSATE SYSTEMS

    Course ID: SFPF310

    Name: LOW PRESSURE STEAM AND CONDENSATE SYSTEMS

    Hours: 53

    Credits: 0

    Learn to install and maintain low pressure steam boilers, low pressure steam systems, boiler piping and trim, steam traps, water treatment equipment, specialty steam equipment, and apply steam tables and gas laws,

  • INSTRUMENTATION AND TRADE TECHNOLOGIES

    Course ID: SFPF311

    Name: INSTRUMENTATION AND TRADE TECHNOLOGIES

    Hours: 36

    Credits: 0

    Learn to install and maintain control systems, and use emerging technologies on commercial and industrial sites.

  • WELDING PROCESSES

    Course ID: SFPF312

    Name: WELDING PROCESSES

    Hours: 58

    Credits: 0

    Learn to Use SMAW equipment, recognize the cause and effect of weld faults, select mild steel electrodes for SMAW, cut using the plasma arc, select filler metal, and shielding gases, use GMAW equipment, and Set up GTAW equipment.

  • HOIST PLANNING AND CRANES

    Course ID: SFPF

    Name: HOIST PLANNING AND CRANES

    Hours: 28

    Credits: 0

    Learn to use load charts to determine crane selection, use equipment for lifting and moving loads, and hoist equipment and materials using cranes.

  • PROCESS DIAGRAMS AND MITRE ELBOW

    Course ID: SFPF314

    Name: PROCESS DIAGRAMS AND MITRE ELBOW

    Hours: 65

    Credits: 0

    Learn to apply process diagrams from schematic to isometrics, fabricate a compound mitre elbow and piping systems, locate elevations using a builder’s level, and construct a dummy leg.

  • HIGH PRESSURE STEAM AND CONDENSATE SYSTEMS

    Course ID: SFPF410

    Name: HIGH PRESSURE STEAM AND CONDENSATE SYSTEMS

    Hours: 46

    Credits:

    Learn to install and maintain high pressure steam boilers, high pressure steam systems, condensing and non-condensing steam systems, exhaust and cascading steam systems, high pressure boiler trim, auxilliary equipment on high-pressure systems, pressure vessels, HTHW systems, and cooling towers and heat exchangers.

  • PROCESS PIPING SYSTEMS

    Course ID: SFPF411

    Name: PROCESS PIPING SYSTEMS

    Hours: 36

    Credits:

    Learn to install and maintain fire protection systems, hydraulic systems, fuel systems, waste water systems, medical gas systems, heat recovery systems, solar and geothermal exchange systems, and identify the operation of HVACR systems.

  • JOB PLANNING AND CRITICAL LIFTS

    Course ID: SFPF412

    Name: JOB PLANNING AND CRITICAL LIFTS

    Hours: 67

    Credits:

    Learn to use coaching skills when training an apprentice, use Red Seal products to challenge an Interprovincial examination, perform critical lifts, plan for a new construction project, facilitate commissioning, turnover and start-up procedures, plan for a maintenance project, and apply quality control (Q.C) measures.

  • REVISED DRAWING AND PROJECTS

    Course ID: SFPF413

    Name: REVISED DRAWING AND PROJECTS

    Hours: 91

    Credits:

    Learn to fabricate a rolling offset, an eccentric reducing tree, a concentric lateral wye branch, a true wye, and interpret a revised drawing package.

We acknowledge that Portage College’s service region is on the traditional lands of First Nation Peoples, the owners of Treaty 6, 8 and 10, which are also homelands to the Métis people. We honour the history and culture of all people who first lived and gathered in these lands.
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