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Pre-employment programs are for those individuals interested in a trade, but who are not registered as an apprentice. They may not have an employer or the necessary work experience, or are employed but lack access to the formal training required to step into a trade. Pre-employment programs provide the skill set needed to enter the workforce and become an apprentice. Learn first year apprenticeship theory, receive your safety tickets, and get hands-on training. Upon successful completion, students are eligible to challenge the Apprenticeship and Industry Training (AIT) First Period Exam.
We offer:
Pre-Employment Carpenter
Pre-Employment Electrician
Pre-Employment Heavy Equipment Technician (Mechanic)
Pre-Employment Industrial Mechanic (Millwright)
Pre-Employment Pipe Trades
Pre-Employment Welder
Not sure where to start in your trades’ career? See the Trade Pathways document to help you determine where to begin.
Program Dates
Pre-Employment Carpenter
Wabasca: February 24, 2025 - June 13, 2025
High Level: April 28, 2025 - August 15, 2025
Wabasca: September 2, 2025 - December 19, 2025
Slave Lake: September 2, 2025 - December 19, 2025
High Level: January 5, 2026 - April 24, 2026
Pre-Employment Electrician
Slave Lake: September 29, 2025 - January 30, 2026
Pre-Employment Heavy Equipment Technician (Mechanic)
High Prairie: September 2, 2025 - December 19, 2025
La Crete: January 5, 2026 - April 24, 2026
Slave Lake: February 9, 2026 - May 29, 2026
Pre-Employment Industrial Mechanic (Millwright)
High Prairie: February 10, 2025 - May 30, 2025
High Prairie: February 9, 2026 - May 29, 2026
Pre-Employment Pipe Trades
Wabasca: February 9, 2026 - May 29, 2026
Pre-Employment Welder
Slave Lake: September 2, 2025 - December 19, 2025
High Level: January 5, 2026 - April 24, 2026
Explore student housing options in Slave Lake and Wabasca! Learn More!
Delivery Methods Explained
+Face-to-Face: Courses where the instructor and the students are interacting at the same time, at the same physical location.
NLC LIVE Online™: Scheduled classes online, where students log in to a program with instructors and peers on the same day, at the same time.
NLC Anytime, Anywhere: Courses where you do not have scheduled classes, but where you log in to a program online at any time and do your work.
Blended: Courses where you have a combination of face-to-face and online (NLC Anytime, Anywhere and/or NLC LIVE Online™).
Dual Credit: Students in high school can experience College programs while earning post-secondary credits.
