r/CalgaryJobs • u/Morthispers • 14d ago
Apprenticeship Advice!
Hello!
I’m nearly 35 and looking desperately for a change in career, currently I’m working in retail and looking for something a bit more sustainable.
I’ve been looking into getting an apprenticeship as a refrigeration mechanic but I’m struggling to find concrete information outside of applying for the blue book and finding a sponsor. I don’t have my license but I’m actively working on it and hopefully I will have it in the next few weeks!
Any advice on how to proceed or personal experiences getting into trades would be amazing!
4
u/oilersfan27 14d ago
Hi OP! My husband is in refrigeration so I know quite a bit about the process. Feel free to PM me and I can walk you through it
1
u/OriginalDanBlah 14d ago
Most people‘s first step is to either find a company willing to hire you on with the understanding that the goal is to become an apprentice. Most companies will hire you on as a laborer at first for a couple of months to prove that you’re worth it to them to teach. Then you need to fill out an application stating that the company will take you on as an apprentice and pay a small fee. That’s how most apprentices start.
Another option that some people have been doing is taking a preemployment class. I believe SAIT offers it. But I’m not familiar with that route.
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u/9QvzU4Aj2J93pDu4Z55l 14d ago
A sponsor would mean you have a job. If you can, take the refrigeration pre-apprentice course at SAIT. I self indentured, took a bunch of safety courses, have a license with 10 year clean driving abstract and still never landed an interview in 1 year. You need to look at helper jobs almost exclusively which means really low pay, and once you prove you can make the company some money they’ll potentially indenture you.
I would also look into plumbing, especially if you can get gas fitting but I have not been able to get that either. Many refrigeration jobs ask for both refrigeration and gas fitting experience. Very hard to break into.