Registered Apprenticeship Program

The Registered Apprenticeship Program (RAP) is an apprenticeship program for high school students where students who are attending high school to earn their Alberta High School Diploma or Certificate of Achievement, can also work towards a registered apprenticeship.

RAP – Registered Apprenticeship Program

An education initiative allowing students to start their apprenticeship training while completing high school.

  • Get Paid – Minimum wage or higher
  • Get Credits – Earn up to 40 RAP credits towards a high school diploma
  • Get Experience – Bank up to 1000 hours towards apprenticeship training
  • Get a $1000 Scholarship – Students will be notified by Apprenticeship and Industry Training (AIT) if requirements are met for the High School Apprenticeship Scholarship.
  • Get a Head Start on a Career – Outcomes aligned with 1st year apprenticeship training

The time a RAP student spends at school and on the worksite can be quite flexible. The student, school and employer jointly agree on a suitable schedule. The student may work as a RAP apprentice full or part-time for a semester, for half of each school day, or for one or two days per week, or during summers, holidays, and weekends.

The RAP apprenticeship ends when the internship ends, or the RAP apprentice completes high school. Successful RAP students may be eligible to receive the High School Apprenticeship Scholarship. The RAP apprentice is also automatically registered as a regular apprentice and the hours logged while in RAP is applied to their apprenticeship through the Apprenticeship Industry and Training (AIT).

Image of apprentice working in field holding safety helmet

Connect with CAREERS

Ready to get started? Fill out the form below, or read on for more information.

Privacy Policy
Image of apprentice welding in shop

RAP apprenticeship

For many, apprenticeships don’t begin until after high school graduation. RAP gives students the opportunity to learn their future trade early and get a head start on building a great career through paid work that gives hands-on real-world experience.

The time a RAP student spends at school and on the worksite can be quite flexible. The student, school and employer jointly agree on a suitable schedule. The student may work as a RAP apprentice full or part-time for a semester, for half of each school day, or for one or two days per week, or during summers, holidays, and weekends.

The RAP apprenticeship ends when the internship ends, or the RAP apprentice completes high school. Successful RAP students may be eligible to receive the High School Apprenticeship Scholarship. The RAP apprentice is also automatically registered as a regular apprentice and the hours logged while in RAP is applied to their apprenticeship through the Apprenticeship Industry and Training (AIT).

Image of female plumber apprentice working on sink

RAP vs CTS

You can also follow a Career and Technology Studies (CTS) Apprenticeship Pathways
To clarify between RAP and CTS:

  • Students in the Registered Apprenticeship Program are both full time students and apprentices, gaining on-the-job experience while earning high school credits. The hours worked are applied to their apprenticeship in that trade.
  • The Career and Technology Studies apprenticeship pathway involves specialized courses taught by trade professionals. Students who complete the pathway, graduate high school with advanced academic standing in their trade and are eligible to write the Apprenticeship and Industry Training Exam for the 1st period of technical training of that trade.

Recognized CTS Apprenticeship Pathways are available in these trades:
Agricultural Equipment Technician / Auto Body Technician / Automotive Service Technician / Baker / Barber / Cabinetmaker / Carpenter / Communication Technician / Cook / Electrician / Gasfitter / Hairstylist / Heavy Equipment Technician / Industrial Mechanic (Millwright) / Instrumentation and Control Technician / Insulator (Heat and Frost) / Landscape Horticulturist / Painter & Decorator / Parts Technician / Plumber / Sprinkler Systems Installer / Steamfitter/Pipefitter / Welder

More information from Alberta Education

More information from Alberta Apprenticeship and Training’s Trade-secrets:

Image of apprentices working in kitchen setting

FAQ

Any of the registered trades and occupations outlined by Apprenticeship and Industry Training (AIT) can be occupation options for the Registered Apprenticeship Program (RAP). Check out CAREERS page on types of internships or the Trade secrets list of Trades Occupations ( https://tradesecrets.alberta.ca/trades-occupations/trades-occupations-list/ ) Connect with CAREERS to learn more about opportunities in your area or learn more about what it is like to work in these careers.

– Research and pick a skilled trade

– Visit your schools Career Practitioner or Off-Campus Coordinator

– Safety Courses need to be completed and signed off by a teacher

            – HCS 3000 (required)

            – HCS 3010 (recommended)

– Build your CAREERS Student Portal Profile

  • Includes a Resume and Cover Letter
  • Get School Authority’s Off-Campus sign off

– Find an employer… CAREERS can help!

– Once you have approval from your employer, you can apply for “Blue Book” (online only) through http://tradesecrets.alberta.ca/MyTradesecrets/ and submit an apprenticeship application to Alberta Apprenticeship and Industry Training.

How to Register as an Apprentice Video 

Apprenticeship is a post-secondary education program consisting of on-the-job training provided by your employer and technical training at an approved technical training provider.
HCS 3000 is a mandatory Alberta Education prerequisite course about workplace safety systems. Its completion is required for all Alberta high school students wanting to participate in Work Experience Program or Registered Apprenticeship Program (RAP).

STUDENT Videos

Our Supporters

READY TO GET STARTED WITH AN INTERNSHIP?

Students exploring internships in skilled trades may also be eligible to fast track their training through the Registered Apprenticeship Program (RAP) Learn more.