Applying to a Program at NAIT

You can search and explore all programs and courses offered at NAIT.

Each program page lists the admission requirements that are required to be accepted to the program, including the required high school courses and the minimum final grades for admission. Some programs have additional entrance requirements, such as competitive entrance requirements or a program interview. 

If you have education from another province outside of Alberta, check the high school course equivalencies.

By opening international applications 2 months earlier, NAIT aims to provide international students additional time to obtain a study permit, plan finances, and make travel arrangements prior to beginning their program.

Please note that this will not affect the ability of other students to join a NAIT program, as each program reserves seats specifically for Canadian / permanent resident students.

All applicants, regardless of age*, are treated the same in NAIT’s admissions process. After applying to a NAIT program, make sure you submit all transcripts from any high school and post-secondary or higher education you have attended. NAIT will consider all your previous coursework when reviewing your eligibility for admission, no matter how long ago you took courses. 

You must meet the entrance requirements listed on the program page to be considered for admission. If you are missing one or more of the minimum entrance requirements, many programs have alternative entrance pathways which are also listed on the program page.

View the tips for mature student page to learn more, including how to get credits for your relevant previous post-secondary courses.
 

*Note: Some programs have a minimum age requirement (eg. 18 years old) listed in their entrance requirements.

We recommend that you apply as early as possible. Space in some programs fills up very quickly. On average, applications can take between 1 to 3 weeks to process. NAIT’s Admissions team works diligently to process applications. Processing time is based on application volume, program waitlisting, and the time of year.

After submitting your application, please provide all necessary documents (transcripts, ELP test results, etc.) as soon as possible. This can help speed up the processing time of your application.  We encourage applicants to check their MyNAIT portal regularly after applying, as all updates to applications will be posted there.   

This will depend on whether you completed your education in Alberta, another Canadian province or outside of Canada.  View additional details about submitting documents based on which of these categories applies to you.  

There may be times when you need to upload documents – such as unofficial transcripts – to your account through MyNAIT portal. To successfully submit required documents to NAIT:

• View the steps on the submitting documents page
• Watch the step-by-step video at nait.ca/submitdocs

If you’re uploading copies of your transcripts, remember: all uploaded transcripts are considered unofficial documents. You still must provide NAIT with official documents. Documents are considered official when they are sent directly from the issuing institution or authority to the NAIT's Office of the Registrar.

We encourage you to frequently check your Application Status and To Do List on your MyNAIT portal. Your To Do List identifies what is missing from your application – please read this list carefully. You may have an outstanding item(s) on your To Do List which needs to be submitted by the posted due date to complete your NAIT application. By frequently checking these items, you can monitor your application’s progress and keep your application in contention.

To view your Application Status and To Do List items, login to MyNAIT portal, select Open Self Service on the right (blue button), choose Admissions, and select your program of choice.

Offers of admission to applicants on a waitlist are made when seats become available. This may happen at any time during the application cycle – and occasionally, even a few days after classes begin.

If you are placed on a waitlist and choose to remain on the waitlist, you should be prepared to receive an offer of admission at any time.

Accepted applicants may decline or lose their seat in a program for a number of reasons, such as:

• Not paying the tuition deposit
• Acceptance into another program or post-secondary institution
• Failure to enrol in classes or pay tuition

Whenever any of these happen, a seat can become available to a waitlisted applicant.

The probability of being admitted off a waitlist depends on how many seats become available, which is determined by the choices of other applicants. These factors are unpredictable and can change quickly.

We do not release ranking information to applicants on the waitlist. The best way to improve your chances of receiving an offer of admission is to apply early and promptly submit all required documents for admission.

Admission offers made well in advance of the tuition payment deadline will be communicated via your MyNAIT Portal (e-letters). Around 3 weeks before the deadline and thereafter, admission offers will be delivered via phone.

Admissions Officers will work through the waitlist by priority until an applicant accepts the offer of admission. Be aware that Admissions typically does not leave voicemail messages.

The phone number listed on your MyNAIT portal profile is the number that will be used to contact you.

It’s important to apply and submit required documents early in order to have the best chance at receiving an offer of admission. For more information, learn about how to submit documents.

Offers of admission off of a waitlist can happen at any time during the application cycle. Waitlisted applicants should be prepared to enrol in courses and pay for first semester tuition in the event they receive an offer of admission.

If you're from Alberta and need financial assistance, we recommend that you apply for funding through Alberta Student Aid while you are still on the waitlist. That way, you’ll know your student aid eligibility and be prepared to pay if you receive an offer of admission. There are also out of province options to apply for student loans.

You can expect to receive communication from your program office before the class start date. Please contact your program office if you have additional questions.

View the registration dates to find out when registration opens for your trade.  Registration opens at 8 a.m. on the date listed.  The best way to register for your apprenticeship training is to log in to your MyTradesecrets account and select the Class Registration tab. 

You will then see the list of available classes and be able to complete the registration and payment process online.  Please note that payment is due at the time of registration. 

Please visit the Alberta Apprenticeship and Industry Training (AIT) website. Once you are an indentured apprentice, you can automatically see your eligible classes at training providers across the province and register through your MyTradesecrets account.

Please note that full tuition payment must be made by your payment deadline indicated in your NAIT enrolment e-letter available in your MyNAIT portal.

Alberta Apprenticeship and Industry Training (AIT) lists all upcoming classes for the calendar year. You can also view the training delivery for more information on delivery methods.

Your notice of Confirmation of Enrolment, and receipts are now available on the NAIT Portal. An email would have been sent to you informing you of this information and how to access your MyNAIT Portal account, if you did not receive an email please contact the Student Service Centre to have your email information updated.

For instructions on how to create your MyNAIT Portal or to access your already created MyNAIT Portal account, please visit MyNAIT Portal.

As of January 3, 2011, apprentices are required to submit your ROE to the nearest Service Canada Centre or mail to Service Canada Centre Western Canada and Territories Region PO Box 245 Edmonton, AB T5J 2J1

Apprenticeship course results are obtained through the Alberta Apprenticeship and Industry Training Centre.

Waiting lists open as soon as that class is full. You can add your name to the waitlist through your MyTradesecrets account.

If you are on a waitlist for an apprenticeship class, we encourage you to:

1. Enter a preferred email address in your profile on MyNAIT. We recommend using one that you check regularly.
2. Monitor your email inbox at 9 p.m. MST daily for updates. Don’t forget to check your junk mail folder, it may be waiting in there.
3. Join the waitlist of a class you are interested in, as enrolling in multiple waitlists will result in receiving several emails for each class you are waitlisted for.

If a spot becomes available, all waitlisted students will receive an email notification at approximately 9 p.m. MST. The available spot(s) is filled on a first-come, first-serve basis. The email will direct you to complete an assigned activity guide in your MyNAIT portal. The message will also outline how to set up your MyNAIT portal account, if it isn’t already set up. Remember, you will need to complete payment immediately after enrolling in the class; if you do not pay, you will be dropped and the spot will become available to another waiting student.

If the spot is no longer available by the time you try to enrol, you will receive an email notification within an hour of the spot being filled. If you happen to access the Activity Guide in your MyNAIT portal when the seat has already been filled, you will no longer have the option to enrol in the class.

You can remove yourself from the waitlist through your MyTradeSecrets account at any point. If your name remains on the waitlist, you will continue to receive email notifications when a spot is available.

NAIT has a number of certificate and pre-employment opportunities. For more information, contact the Student Contact Centre.

Your progression in the apprenticeship program is determined by the assessment from your training provider. If your training provider submits a passing mark (PDF) for you at the completion of your class, you will complete your technical training period and not be required to challenge the AIT theory or practical examinations. The standard for determining a passing mark in technical training will not change.

This exam exemption does not apply to students attending a Pre-Employment, Certificate or Diploma Program. These students will have to write the associated period exam at an AIT office and complete any practical exams as required if they register as an apprentice.

Contact your nearest Alberta Apprenticeship and Industry Training (AIT) office.

In Canada, each province or territory is responsible for apprenticeship training and certification of skilled workers at a journeyperson level.

The Interprovincial Red Seal Program was developed to provide journeypersons with the ability to work anywhere in Canada. The program ensures that journeypersons are qualified through interprovincial examinations that are based on national standards.

AIT will continue to offer in-person Prior Learning Assessment exams at their offices throughout the province. Red Seal exam sessions are available at the end of final period classes. You also have the choice to get certified without writing your Red Seal exam. 

If you need information or wish to discuss your apprenticeship, please contact the AIT Information Line at 1-800-248-4823

To obtain the Blue Seal, you must complete the Blue Seal Certification. You can learn more about the Blue Seal Certification by reviewing the AIT website. 

You can apply online for your Employment Insurance up to 7 days prior to your scheduled last day of work. You do not need your Record of Employment (ROE) to apply for EI. Get your application started as soon as possible.

You can send your ROE to Service Canada when you receive it from your employer. Apprentices can call 1.800.206.7218 (in Alberta) or visit the Service Canada website for the following resources: General EI information

All challenge exams are set up with Alberta Apprenticeship and Industry Training. Contact your nearest AIT office to arrange an exam.

Except for our Academic Upgrading and ESL programs, you do not need to apply to get started. If you would like to join us for courses, you can enrol yourself through our website and complete your fee payment by VISA/MasterCard credit or debit card.

You can proceed to the course page and select “Add to Cart” beside the course dates of your choice. You will complete your payment once you are signed into your account. A video walkthrough of this process is available at www.nait.ca/register

Visit the ESL application page for details on how to register.

Visit the Academic Upgrading program page for details on how to register.

This can vary depending on the course or program. Some courses may have specific registration deadlines, which will be noted under View Course Information.

Space is limited, and our courses can fill up well before the scheduled start date. For best results, we recommend enrolling as soon as you are able. If the Add to Cart button is available on the website, you are welcome to enrol.

You may have begun and not finished the checkout process in the last 24 hours. The course is on your MyNAIT portal waiting for secure online payment to confirm your seat in the class.

Please log in to your MyNAIT portal complete online payment through Self Service.

If a course you wish to take says Add to Waitlist instead of Add to Cart, that means that there are no open seats for registration for that section.

You can add yourself to the waitlist at no charge for a chance to be enrolled if space becomes available. If you are enrolled from the waitlist, you will receive an email notice advising you to visit your student portal to make a payment.

Where possible, we recommend enrolling yourself in a different section with available space to ensure you can still complete the course even if you are not enrolled from the waitlist into your preferred section.

Block Enrolment Purchase

This option is designed for students seeking a structured schedule. A discounted rate is granted for the commitment to this structure. By choosing a block purchase, you secure a spot in a predefined set of classes scheduled back-to-back over a specific period. This option is for students who can commit to a fixed schedule without the need for adjustments based on personal or professional conflicts.

Requirements and Commitment:

1. Fixed Schedule: When you opt for a block purchase, you are committing to the schedule as it is set. The schedule has been carefully designed to maximize learning outcomes and cohort progression.
2. Block Discount: The block discount is offered as an incentive for your commitment to the entire program schedule.
3. No Schedule Changes: Please be aware that the block purchase agreement does not allow for schedule changes once the program begins. This policy is in place to ensure the integrity of the learning experience for all students.
4. Recommendation for Flexibility: If you anticipate the need for a flexible schedule due to work or personal commitments, we strongly advise considering our open enrolment classes. Open enrolment allows you to create a personalized schedule that can adapt to your individual needs, without the commitment to a fixed schedule.

Students who successfully complete all required courses in the certificate of their choice will receive a digital credential. NAIT will automatically issue your digital certification through our MyCreds system, and you will receive an email notification once your credential is ready. Credentials typically take up to 10 business days to be processed after all grades are officially posted.

Please note: Students completing the following certificates with electives are asked to self-identify by emailing ContinuingEducation@nait.ca when they have completed the required number of electives:

• Business Analyst
• Business Fundamentals
• Conflict Resolution and Negotiation
• Equity, Diversity and Inclusion
• Enhanced Team Leadership
• Geographic Information Systems Technology
• Human Resources for the Supervisor
• Leadership Development
• Management for ASET Technology Professionals
• Medical Office Administrator
• Power Engineering Fourth Class Theory
• Process Analyst
• Water Wastewater (Water Treatment, Wastewater Treatment, Water Distribution and Collection) 
• Workplace Essentials

If you have previous post-secondary education and want to apply for transfer credit, you must first be accepted into a credit program and have paid your non-refundable tuition deposit.

Transfer credit is granted as per the guidelines and process outlined here. Please note that processing times for transfer credit is 4-6 weeks, so we encourage you to apply as early as possible.  

To apply for transfer credit, please log into your MyNAIT portal account and select Open Self-Service. Once in Self-Service, select Academic Records>Transfer Credits>Apply for Transfer Credits. Please follow the prompts, make the required payment, and click submit. If you do not click on the submit button, your transfer credit application will not be received by NAIT.  

To monitor your transfer credit application, under the same section Self-Service, select Monitor Application Status. You can also locate the step-by-step Transfer Credit Application guide under the Self-Service Guide on the portal. 

You can search for a Continuing Education program or course based on your area of interest here.

NAIT offers six levels of ESL instruction. Level 6 fulfills the English Language Proficiency requirement for NAIT credit programs.

ESL offers three terms per year:

Spring 2025

• May 5 - August 14, 2025 (online application closes Friday, May 23, 2025)

Fall 2025

• September 2 - December 11, 2025 (online application closes Friday, September 19, 2025)

Winter 2026

• January 8 - April 23, 2026 (online application closes Friday, January 23, 2026)

Each term is 4 months except for the Intensive Level 5 IESL and Intensive Level 6 IEAP which are 7.5 weeks.

Upon approval of the ESL Department, part-time study may be considered on a case by case basis if this allows a student to achieve their learning goals.

Yes, our program runs year-round. 15-week terms start in Fall, Winter, and Spring. For best results, we recommend continuous enrolment until you have successfully completed the program.

You meet the English language proficiency requirement to enter into NAIT programs upon completing all level 6 courses.

You may also be granted conditional or provisional acceptance into some NAIT programs while taking level 6 courses. This allows you to reserve a spot in your program well in advance.