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Registered Apprenticeship Program (RAP)

Earn while you Learn and get a Head Start on your Career.

The Registered Apprenticeship Program (called "RAP") is a modified apprenticeship program that permits a high school student to become an apprentice while still attending high school. A RAP apprentice accumulates hours of on-the-job training as credit toward his or her apprenticeship, and earns credits toward a high school diploma.

Why RAP ?

  • Allows you to start your Post-Secondary training early while still in High School in a well-respected Career
  • Because you like to Work with your hands.
  • Because you like the feeling of Creating and Seeing the finished Product.
  • Because Skilled Trades people are in short supply and the future in that area looks very promising..
  • RAP gives employers an opportunity to find quality young employees, and to participate in their education
  • RAP offers an enriched high school education and provides an opportunity to learn the skills industry needs
  • A RAP apprentice gets a realistic look at the work world and learns employability skills
  • Because RAP allows a student to earn a good wage plus as many as 40 High School credits including four 30-level, 5-credit Courses towards your High School Diploma.

Who can employ a RAP Apprentice?

  • Anyone who is eligible to employ an apprentice can employ a RAP apprentice.

How is a RAP Apprentice different from a regular apprentice?

  • A RAP apprentice is a student still attending High School.
  • A RAP apprentice must be paid at least minimum wage. Rules of scale to Journeyman only apply after they have graduated from High School.
  • The normal apprenticeship's formal or technical training is delayed until the RAP student completes high school.
  • Alberta Education is responsible for Worker's Compensation coverage for RAP apprentices while they are still high school students.

Employer Benefits:

  • Builds a community based work force
  • WCB - covered by Alberta Education
  • Guidance by workplace mentor
  • Participate in the development of your future work force
  • Integrates trade training in high school education process
  • Develops employability skills, feedback and performance review
  • Participates in education process
  • Assists with shortage in trades
  • Minimizes cost of training

How much time does a RAP apprentice spend on the job?

-The employer, the student/parent, and the school determine the hours of work.
  • Grade 10: Majority of the students begin in the summer following Grade 10 with a 125 hour pre-RAP internship prior to registering with Apprenticeship and Industry Training. They work full time during the Grade 10 summer.
  • In Grade 11, students may continue as a RAP apprentice working after school, weekends, and holidays, and returning full time during the summer following Grade 11.
  • In Grade 12, students may continue as a RAP apprentice working after school, weekends, and holidays. Many apprentices try to arrange their timetables to accommodate a half-day, or possibly even the entire first semester at the workplace during the Grade 12 school year.

What are the entrance requirements?

  • Passing all classes and Good academic standing, particularly in Math, Science, and English
  • Excellent attendance at school, good citizenship and attitude
  • 125 hours Work Experience (pre-RAP Internship, pay optional)
  • CTR 1010 Job Preparation Module
  • CSTS Safety Training prior to placement

If you have any questions about the RAP program please contact the Off-Campus Education Coordinator, Kelly Roach at CHHS at 403-527-6641 ext 8250 or email kelly.roach@sd76.ab.ca

The following are some general terms you may come across when you are researching Trades, Apprenticeships, and RAP.

Trades

  • A special set of over fifty skilled occupations, all of which involve a combination of on-the-job training (Apprenticeship) and coursework at technical institutes. Trades jobs are particularly high in demand in the Albertan economy and generally pay quite well. For a complete list of trades in Alberta Click the following link...
  • Tradesecrets Website.

REGISTERED APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAM (RAP):

  • Program which allows students to start earning apprenticeship hours, money, and credits while still in high school. To participate in the program, students must still complete their core courses, and are required to remain on track to graduate.

Apprenticeship:

  • The process of becoming qualified as a tradesperson. Both you and your employer sign a contract. Your employer agrees to train you and you agree to work for your employer. The contract is taken to an Alberta Apprenticeship office, with a fee, and you receive a wallet Apprenticeship ID card and a "Blue Book" to document your hours. You keep track of your hours and training, and report these hours to the Apprenticeship and Industry Training. For certification, classroom training at technical institutes or colleges is also a part of this process. You must accumulate a specific number of hours in your "Blue Book" before you are eligible to take the next level of education required for certification.

Journeyman:

  • A fully qualified tradesperson who has successfully completed his or her apprenticeship, including a specific number of work hours and classroom courses. It is generally journeymen who train apprentices in their trades.

Blue Book:

  • A very important log-book in which the apprentice keeps track of his or her hours in the trade, periodically showing the book to Apprenticeship and Industry training as proof of hours. A certain number of hours must be accumulated before the apprentice is able to take the next level of courses required for certification.

Apprenticeship and Industry Training:

  • The institution that keeps track of the training and certification of tradespeople in Alberta.

There are two methods of getting into the High School RAP Program.

1. Apply through the Off-Campus Education Coordinator.

  • This is how the majority of RAP students get into the program. Obtain an application package from the Off-Campus Education office located in the 200 Hallway. You will complete the package and submit this to Mr. Roach. If you qualify (marks, attendance, and citizenship are selection criteria) he will attempt to arrange a potential RAP placement between you and an employer. You may be asked to complete some safety training on evenings or weekends while waiting your placement. An Interview wil be arranged between you and the potential Employer. Mr. Roach will help you prepare for this interview and accompany you to it. If you are successful at the interview an internship of one hundred and twenty five hours (trial period) is the next step to becoming a registered apprentice. You will receive 5 Work Experience credits for this trial period, but your employer is not obliged to pay you during this time. At the end of this trial period, if your employer feels you will make a good tradesperson in your chosen area, you will be offered a RAP apprenticeship. At this point you will continue to work, for pay, for the remainder of the summer as well as at times you are available during the school year (during the school day or on evenings and weekends). During this period, you will also accumulate apprenticeship hours and high school credits.

2. Fast-Tracked - find your own employer

  • Research and select a trade you are interested in apprenticing in. Find an employer who is qualified and willing to take you on as a RAP apprentice (friends and family are a good place to start). Once you think you have a willing employer contact Mr. Roach who will help you with the remaining details of setting up the placement. In order for you to work as a RAP student, you, your employer, and a parent must sign an Off-Campus Education contract and Mr. Roach must visit the site prior to your first day to approve it as a safe learning environment. As soon as the contract and site inspection are in place you are eligible to earn pay, high school credits, and apprenticeship hours whether you work during the school day, on evenings or weekends, during your summers or a combination of these times.

Compulsory Certification Trades

Certification is REQUIRED to work in these trades. Apprentices must be supervised by a Journeyman.

Appliance Service Technician

 

 Appliance service technicians install, service and repair household and commercial appliances such as ranges, ovens, clothes washers, dryers, refrigerators, air conditioners, microwave ovens, dishwashers, waste disposers and compactors.

Auto Body Technician

 

 Auto body technicians repair and replace damaged motor vehicle structures and body parts, and interior and exterior finishes.

Automotive Service Technician

 

 Automotive service technicians perform preventative maintenance, diagnose faulty operations, and repair automotive vehicles and light trucks.

Boilermaker

 

 Boilermakers build, erect, repair, test and maintain all types of boilers, tanks and pressure vessels, and perform all types of structural and plate work on dust, air, gas, steam, oil, water and other liquid-tight containers.

Crane and Hoisting Equipment Operator

 

 Crane and hoisting equipment operators service and operate the hoist and swing equipment used to move machinery, materials and other large objects. Mobile crane operators service and operate booms that are mounted on crawlers or wheeled frames as well as traveling, fixed or climbing type hoisting equipment with a vertical mast or tower and a jib.

Electrician

 

Electricians install, alter, repair and maintain electrical systems designed to provide heat, light, power, control, signal or fire alarms for all types of buildings, structures and premises.

Elevator Constructor

 

Elevator constructors install, modify, service and repair electric and hydraulic elevators, personnel and man-hoists, moving walkways, stagelifts, escalators and related equipment.

Gasfitter

 

Gasfitters size, install, test, adjust and service natural gas and propane equipment ranging from residential furnaces to industrial boilers.

Hairstylist

 

Hairstylists cut and style hair to suit the client's face and lifestyle; recommending home care maintenance to ensure each client always looks and feels his or her best.

Heavy Equipment Technician

 

Heavy Equipment Technicians maintain, repair, and overhaul heavy vehicles and industrial equipment, both towed and self-propelled.

Ironworker

 

Ironworkers fabricate, construct and join scaffolding, structural steel buildings, bridges, ornamental ironwork and pre-cast structures.

Motorcycle Mechanic

 

Motorcycle mechanics assemble, maintain, repair and restore motorcycles and other multi-wheeled lightweight all-terrain vehicles that do not have lateral seating and that are equipped with a handle bar on which the vehicle's controls are located.

Plumber

 

Plumbers plan, install and service plumbing systems, fixtures, piping equipment and controls. These piping systems may be used to transport water, waste, gases or hot liquids.

Recreation Vehicle Service Technician

 

Recreation vehicle service technicians install, repair and maintain interior and exterior components on motor homes, travel trailers, fifth wheel trailers, truck campers, tent trailers and van conversions.

Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Mechanic

 

Refrigeration and air conditioning mechanics install, maintain, repair and overhaul industrial, commercial and residential refrigeration and air conditioning systems and their component parts.

Sheet Metal Worker

 

Sheet metal workers design, fabricate, assemble, install, and repair the sheet metal products required in a wide variety of industries and settings.

Steamfitter- Pipefitter

 

Steamfitter %uFFFD 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.

Welder

 

Welders join or sever metals in beams, girders, vessels, piping and other metal components, make metal parts used in construction and manufacturing plants, and weld parts, tools, machines and equipment.

 

 

 

 

Great tips for Getting Started in an Apprenticeship

 

 

Optional Certification Trades

Certification is NOT mandatory to work in these trades. Apprentices must be supervised by a person knowledgeable in the trade.

Agricultural Mechanic

 

Agricultural equipment technicians repair, overhaul and maintain agricultural equipment including tractors, tillage equipment, seeding equipment and harvesting equipment.

Baker

 

Bakers prepare and bake breads, cakes, cookies, pastries, pies and other baked goods.

Bricklayer

 

Bricklayers prepare and lay brick and other masonry units to construct and repair structures such as walls, partitions, patios, arches, fireplaces and chimneys.

Cabinetmaker

 

Cabinetmakers build and repair custom or production-type fixtures and furniture made of wood or wood substitutes.

Carpenter

 

Carpenters construct, erect and repair buildings and other structures made of wood, wood substitutes, steel and other materials.

Concrete Finisher

 

Concrete finishers place and finish concrete floors, driveways, sidewalks, curbs, bridge decks and other concrete structures.

Communication Technician

 

Communication technicians install, maintain, remove and/or repair wiring networks, consumer and business communication equipment and specialized equipment such as intercoms, fax machines, computer networks.

Cook

 

Cooks prepare food in eating establishments including hotels, restaurants, institutions, trains and ships. Their major responsibilities are nutrition, food costs and sanitation.

Electrical Motor Systems Technician

 

Electric motor systems technicians test, rebuild and repair electric motors, generators, transformers, controllers and related electrical and mechanical equipment used in commercial, industrial and institutional establishments.

Electronic Technician

 

 

Floor covering Installer

 

Floorcovering installers install, repair and replace resilient floorcovering materials such as underlayment, carpet, sheet goods (e.g., vinyl) and tile in commercial, residential and industrial buildings.

Glazier

 

Glaziers cut and install glass and aluminum systems for commercial, residential and automotive applications.

Instrument Technician

 

Instrument technicians install, maintain and repair the measuring and control instruments used in industrial and commercial processing.

Insulator

 

Insulators apply, remove and repair thermal and acoustical insulation (e.g., calcium silicate, glass foam, mineral wool, styrofoam, fibreglass) on all types of industrial equipment (e.g., duct piping, heat exchangers, tanks, vessels).

Landscape Gardener

 

Landscape gardeners, in consultation with clients, work with other trades to carry out landscaping operations and design in a variety of environments. This includes residential, commercial and public grounds, playgrounds, golf courses, garden centres, tree nurseries, greenhouses and interior landscapes.

Lather-Interior Systems Mechanic

 

Lather - interior systems mechanics assemble and install the frameworks for gypsum materials in buildings.

Locksmith

 

Locksmiths install, adjust and repair locks, make keys, and change lock combinations. They work on residential, automotive, commercial and institutional locksets and door hardware. Locksmiths may also install and maintain more sophisticated security systems.

Machinist

 

Machinists set up and operate precision metal cutting and grinding machines such as lathes, milling machines, drills and grinders to make and repair products made from metals, plastics, rubber textiles, fibreglass and space age alloys.

Millwright

 

Millwrights install, maintain, repair and troubleshoot stationary industrial machinery and mechanical equipment in factories, production plants and recreational facilities.

Outdoor Power Equipment Technician

 

Outdoor Power Equipment Technicians %uFFFD Power Equipment repair, service and maintain small gasoline and diesel powered equipment such as generators, mowers, and chain saws.

Painter and Decorator

 

Painters and decorators apply paint, wallcoverings and other finishes to interior and exterior surfaces of buildings and other structures.

Parts Technician

 

Parts Technicians manage and dispense parts inventories, which may include automotive, heavy duty, farm implement, industrial, recreational vehicle, jobbers, plumbing, electrical, etc.

Power Lineman

 

Power linemen construct, maintain and repair overhead and underground electrical power transmission and distribution systems.

Power System Electrician

 

Power system electricians install, maintain and repair electrical power generation, transmission and distribution systems and equipment.

Roofer

 

Roofers prepare and apply protective coverings to flat and sloped roof surfaces in accordance with construction plans and specifications.

Sawfiler

 

Sawfilers repair, set and sharpen blades for band saws, chain saws, handsaws, circular saws and other types of saws.

Sprinkler Systems Installer

 

Sprinkler systems installers fabricate, install, test, maintain, inspect and repair sprinkler systems in industrial operations, department stores, office buildings, hotels, schools, hospitals and residences.

Structural Steel and Plate Fitter

 

Structural steel and plate fitters lay out, prepare and assemble structural steel and steel vessels, containers and miscellaneous components.

Tile setter

 

Tilesetters cover, repair and decorate exterior and interior walls, floors and other surfaces using ceramic, mosaics, marble and quarry tile, slate, stone, terrazzo or granite.

Tool and Die Maker

 

Tool and die makers use precision metal-working machines and hand tools to build and repair special tools, metal moulds and patterns used in manufacturing.

Transportation Refrigeration Technician

 

Transport refrigeration technicians install, repair and maintain equipment that supplies and contains conditioned air in mobile units used to transport perishable goods such as food and medical supplies.

Water Well Driller

 

Water well drillers set up and operate mobile rotary, boring or cable tool drilling rigs used to drill residential, commercial and industrial water wells. In addition, they conduct environmental assessment drilling.