• You earn a wage while you learn the trade.
• You will learn from a skilled journeyperson.
• You will attend short periods of technical training to reinforce what you have learned on the job.
• Some employers only hire individuals who have completed an apprenticeship.
• You can earn your credential without incurring a large debt.

All work experience in the trade is assessed when you register as an apprentice or tradesperson. Apprentices are normally required to work a minimum of half the term of apprenticeship under a contract, except for compulsory trades.

For Construction Electricians, Plumbers, Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Mechanics, Sheet Metal Workers and Sprinkler Fitter, a completed Apprenticeship Application in MyATC will be required by the employee’s first day of employment in a compulsory trade.

The fee to register a contract will not be required on the first day worked, however, it will be required within six months of the employee’s first day of employment.

The registration of the contract with the SATCC marks the beginning of one-half of the number of hours in an apprenticeship year (approximately six months or 900 hours) an employee is permitted to work in a compulsory trade as outlined in The Apprenticeship and Trade Certification Regulations, 2020. 

See Financial Supports.

See Learning Support.

When apprentices are involuntarily terminated or laid off from employment, they should contact the Saskatchewan Apprenticeship and Trade Certification Commission (SATCC) to provide this information and to submit any outstanding accumulated trade time.

If apprentices have accumulated enough hours of trade time to attend the next level of technical training, they may do so without being attached to an employer.

To continue to progress in the trade, apprentices must find another employer. Once apprentices are hired, they submit an apprenticeship application with the employer through MyATC.

Apprentices whose contracts of apprenticeship have been cancelled may be re-instated in the same trade as the previous contract without registration fees provided they apply within one year of the date of cancellation. Beyond one year from the date of cancellation, the registration fee must be submitted in full and the apprentice will be reinstated with a new registration date in the same trade.

It depends on the amount of time that has passed since their contract was cancelled and the trade they want to register in.

Apprentices whose contracts of apprenticeship have been cancelled may be reinstated in the same trade as the previous contract without additional employer registration fees provided they apply within one year of the date of cancellation. The registration date will remain the same. Beyond one year from the date of cancellation, the registration fee must be submitted in full and the apprentice will be reinstated with a new registration date in the same trade as the previous contract.

EXAMPLES:

1. Apprentice A’s apprenticeship contract was cancelled on March 5, 2017 and requests reinstatement in the same trade on March 2, 2018. Apprentice “A” does not have to pay the registration fee and the registration date remains the same as when the original contract of apprenticeship was registered.
2. Apprentice B’s apprenticeship contract was cancelled on March 5, 2017 and requests reinstatement in the same trade on March 10, 2018. Apprentice “B” MUST submit the  registration fee along with the contract and the new registration date becomes March 10, 2018.

If an apprentice registers in a different trade from the one in which they were cancelled, whether before or after one year of cancellation, this policy does not apply. A new trade requires a new contract along with the full registration fee.

There are two ways for you to become a journeyperson in the Province of Saskatchewan.

• Apprenticeship route – You must find employment in the trade and have your employer register you with the SATCC office as an apprentice. You must complete all levels of training while working under contract with your employer. Once completed all levels, you will write the certification examination at the end of training.

NOTE: Construction Electrician, Plumber, Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Mechanic, Sheet Metal Worker and Sprinkler Fitter are compulsory trades and workers in these trades must be either registered apprentices or certified journeypersons.

• Tradesperson route – Those that have been working in their trade for many years and do not want to go the apprenticeship route may challenge the certification examination without attending training. Refer to the designated trades on this website for the required hours for each trade.

A compulsory trade is a trade where you must be a registered apprentice or a certified journeyperson in order to perform the work. The compulsory apprenticeship trades are Construction Electrician, Plumber, Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Mechanic, Sheet Metal Worker and Sprinkler Fitter.

See here for information about registration process for workers in compulsory trades.

If you hold an expired or expiring Learner’s Certificate and you do not have your full trade time hours, submit a generic inquiry/request on MyATC and select “Request extension”. With the request, attach your Form 6A – Verification of Trade Experience (located on the Applications and Forms page for your designated trade). The Training and Assessment Consultant will pro-rate the trade time established with the full time requirements to establish an extended date of expiry. There is no fee required.

Saskatchewan Apprenticeship and Trade Certification Commission administers the examination for the gasfitter license in the province. However, gasfitter licenses are issued through the Technical Safety Authority of Saskatchewan (TSASK). The Gas and Electrical Licensing office is located:

• 2202 2nd Avenue  in Regina, Sask., S4R 1K3
• 2213 11^th St West in Saskatoon, Sask., S7M 1J4.

Call 1.866.530.8599  or email [email protected].

Apprentices: Most apprentices write for their journeyperson certification at the end of their final level of technical training. No application or fee is required.

Apprentices in the Hairstylist, Esthetician trades and other trades that completed pre-employment equivalent to all levels of apprenticeship training are eligible to write when they have the minimum required hours. No fee for their first attempt (written and practical if required). Register for an Exam through MyATC and refer to our written examination schedule for a list of dates and locations.

Apprentices taking a written or practical examination for a second or subsequent attempt in the same trade must register for an exam through MyATC and submit the required fee. View the Fee Schedule.

Examination study information is located in the Designated Trades on this website.

Tradespersons: First time applicants must submit a Trade Qualifier Application and fee through MyATC. The application must be accompanied by Verification of Trade Experience – (Form 6A) form confirming their work experience in the trade. Trade specific Form 6A can be found in the Applications and Forms page on this website. Tradespeople must submit proof of working 1.5 times the term of apprenticeship for that trade.

Tradespersons taking a written or practical examination for a first or subsequent attempt in the same trade must register for an exam through MyATC and submit the required fee.

Candidates applying for examination in the Insulator (Heat & Frost) or Powerline Technician trades must complete prescribed upgrading first.

Examination study information is located in the Designated Trades on this website.

Please refer to the Examination Schedules for locations and dates.

Refer to the following table: Wage Table