Apprenticeship

Your path to becoming a qualified trades person

Becoming an Apprentice

  1. First, find an employer willing to take you on as an apprentice. If you have taken a Foundation (pre-apprenticeship) program you may qualify for Level 1 Technical Training credit towards your apprenticeship. Note that the Foundation Program or successful challenge of the exam is a prerequisite for the Heavy Duty Mechanic Trade Apprenticeship. The ITA is requesting an original transcript of your marks be attached to your ITA registration form upon applying for apprenticeship.

  2. Complete the Trainee (Apprentice) and Employer Registration Form. This registration form can be printed off the Industry Training Authority (ITA) website at www.itabc.ca or by calling 1-866-660-6011. Once your application has been processed you will receive a letter from the ITA office indicating your Registration & Apprenticeship ID#. These ID#s are needed for when registering for your apprenticeship training dates.

Scheduling In-School Technical Training

Apprentices are responsible for scheduling their own in-school training sessions. To apply, call Tanya Reiber, the Apprenticeship Registration Clerk at 250-740-6112 or email tanya.reiber@viu.ca. A $200 ($250 for Electrical) commitment fee must be paid within 3 weeks of confirming a seat for all trades with the remaining balance being due 90 days before starting class. Please note that it is an automatic withdrawal if you do not pay the commitment fee on time, you will not receive notification of withdrawal. To avoid disappointment of withdrawal or being charged an automatic 10% late fee on the remaining balance of tuition, please ensure to pay your fees on time.

IF this is not possible, you must contact Tanya Reiber 250-740-6112 or tanya.reiber@viu.ca to ensure you are not removed from your training session.

Apprenticeship Programs

For all apprenticeships, approximately 80% of the training is done on-the-job and 20% is in-school technical training delivered at an accredited training institution. To become certified, an apprentice must complete on-the-job experience, successfully passed all in-school technical training and passed the Provincial or Inter-Provincial Examination with a 70% or better.

The Interprovincial Standards “Red Seal” Program

The Red Seal Program was established to provide greater mobility across Canada for skilled workers. Through the program, apprentices who have completed their training and certified journeypersons, are able to obtain a "Red Seal" endorsement on their Certificates of Qualification and Apprenticeship by successfully completing an Interprovincial Standards
Examination.

The program encourages standardization of provincial and territorial apprenticeship training and certification programs. The "Red Seal" allows qualified tradespersons to practice the trade in any province or territory in Canada where the trade is designated without having to write further examinations. To date, there are forty-five trades included in the Red Seal Program on a national basis.

Vancouver Island University currently offers apprenticeship technical training in:

  • Automotive "Red Seal"
  • Baker "Red Seal"
  • Carpenter "Red Seal"
  • Professional Cook "Red Seal"
  • Electrical "Red Seal"
  • Heavy Duty Mechanics "Red Seal"
  • Inboard/Outboard Mechanic
  • Welder "Red Seal"

Automotive Service Technician

Consists of 4 levels or years of on-the-job experience and 4 levels of in-school technical training. Levels 1 & 3 are 7 weeks in length, Levels 2 & 4 are 6 weeks in length.

Carpenter and Heavy Duty Mechanic

Consists of 4 levels or years of on-the-job experience and 4 levels of in-school technical training. Each level of technical training is 6 weeks in length.

Please note that the Heavy Duty Foundation (pre-app) Program is mandatory to completing your apprenticeship. If you do not complet the Foundation program, you must challenge the exam or have your employer complete the Module 1 exemption form, which can be found on the Industry Training Authorities website at www.itabc.ca

Baker

Consists of 3 levels or years of on-the-job experience and 3 levels of in-school technical training. Each level of technical training is 4 weeks in length.

Cook

Consists of 3 levels or years of on-the-job experience and 3 levels of in-school technical training. Each level of technical training is 6 weeks in length. Vancouver Island University only offers Levels 2 & 3.

Electrical

Consists of 4 levels or years of on-the-job experience and 4 levels of in-school technical training. Each level of technical training is 10 weeks in length.

Inboard/Outboard Mechanic

Consists of 4 levels or years of on-the-job experience and 4 levels of in-school technical training. Each level of technical training is 4 weeks in length.

Welder Level "C", "B" & "A"

This is a three-stage program. Level C is completed first and consists of one and one-half hours of classroom instruction each day. Students must complete seven months of the Level C Welding Program and five months of on-the-job experience as a welder to proceed to Level B.

Level B is only available to holders of Level C certification. Level B students must complete approximately four months of technical training and eight months of work experience as a welder before being granted the Provincial Ministry Level B certification.

Level A training is available to Level B Certification holders only. Level A students must complete approximately two months of technical training and ten months of work experience as a welder before being granted the Provincial Ministry Level A certification. Upon completion of Level A certification, students may qualify to write the Welding Interprovincial Trade Qualification exam.

To register for Welding Level C please contact Darlene Norby at 250-753-3245 local 2594.

To register for Welding Level B or A, please contact Mark Gall (Welding Chair) at 250-740-6139.