- Program Length8 Months
- CredentialCertificate
- Location OfferedCowichan, Nanaimo, Powell River
Build the foundation for your career in the carpentry industry with VIU’s Carpentry program. Vancouver Island University’s eight-month Carpentry Training Program is for anyone who wants a career that combines physical and mental work and the rewarding feeling that comes with building things.
Graduates find work as apprentice carpenters, concrete formers, wood framers, finishing carpenter’s helpers, cabinet installers and home renovators. It’s also a good foundation for getting into construction project management. With a combination of classroom and on-the-job training, this Carpentry course is unique – it is one of only two programs in the province that sends students off-site to build real houses.
The Carpentry Certificate Program
This Foundation program covers the basic carpentry skills required in preparation for employment as a carpenter apprentice in the building industry.
The program has been developed collaboratively by industry and Vancouver Island University, and follows the BC Provincial Apprenticeship Level 1 program competencies. The curriculum seeks an effective balance between hands-on learning activities and specific academic and theoretical components.
The program includes on-the-job training as well as construction of real life projects. Strong ties with the Nanaimo CHBA and other local contractors, United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners Local 527, City of Nanaimo building officials, and many other sub-trades and suppliers have resulted in a close cooperative training partnership with the local building industry.
Students will be evaluated throughout the program and will receive letter grades and weighted credits for each of the courses, including applied and theoretical work.
Class times may vary, and students can expect to spend one to two hours a day on homework. Good attendance is mandatory. A minimum 70% grade average in theory and practical is required to receive a graduation certificate.
Students who successfully complete the program will be awarded a certificate from Vancouver Island University for Carpentry Foundation (Level I Carpentry Apprenticeship).
Program Outline
|
Carpentry |
Credits |
|---|---|
|
CPTY 111T?- (Occupational Skills, Documentation, Tools, and Safety) |
8.5 |
|
CPTY 113T?- (Surveying, Layout, and Concrete) |
4.5 |
|
CPTY 115T?- (Framing and Building Science) |
4.5 |
|
1.5 |
|
|
Total Credits |
19.0 |
?
|
Essential Skills |
Credits |
|---|---|
|
ESFC 100T?- (Personal Management Skills) |
2.0 |
|
ESFC 105T?- (Trades Math) |
1.0 |
|
ESFC 110T?- (Business Operations) |
0.5 |
|
ESFC 115T?- (The Emerging Workplace) |
0.5 |
|
ESFC 120T?- (Employment Strategies) |
1.0 |
|
Total Credits |
5.0 |
All program courses must be successfully completed before certificates will be issued.
Admission Requirements
- Grade 12, or equivalent, or?mature student status.
- Minimum 17 years of age.
- Successful completion of?assessment testing.
- Personal profile.
- Interview may be required.
- See also Trades?general admission requirements.
Notes on Admission
- Physically fit and able to adapt to working conditions.
- Good hand/eye coordination.
- Good health, free of vision, hearing or respiratory ailments.
- For student’s wishing to operate vehicles and equipment a valid driver’s license will be required.
- Enrolment in this program is limited. Students who meet or exceed the minimum admission requirements may not necessarily be admitted to the program.
Career Opportunities
This unique, high-profile, information-packed program is well recognized by the building industry as an excellent introduction to the residential and commercial building industries. The program provides a path to apprenticeship, a career, and Red Seal Certification.
Graduates of this program have been successful in procuring employment in positions such as apprentice carpenters, concrete formers, wood framers, finishing carpenters’ helpers, cabinet installers, and home renovators. Graduates have also found employment with many other related building industry employers.
Excellent opportunities exist for graduates of this program to obtain carpentry apprenticeships with professional building contractors or the Carpenters’ Unions.
Work Placement Opportunities
Apprenticeship Information
Graduates of this program may receive credit towards the technical portion of the first year of the Carpenter Apprenticeship program. In order to complete the apprenticeship and become a journeyperson, graduates would find an employer in the industry to provide the on-the-job training and return to Vancouver Island University for 7 weeks per year in each of the next three years.
The Carpenter Apprenticeship program consists of 4 years of on-the job experience combined with in-school technical training in order to become eligible to write the Interprovincial (Red Seal) examination for journeyperson certification.
For more information on apprenticeship training, please visit the website at?www.itabc.ca, contact the Industry Training Centre at 1-866-660-6011, or call Tanya Reiber at Vancouver Island University toll–free at 1-888-920-2221, Ext. 6112. Visit Vancouver Island University’s?Trades and Applied Technology Apprenticeship?page for more information and schedules.
Domestic Fees
When applying to the program, applicants will be charged a non-refundable application fee.
When applying to graduate, students will be charged a non-refundable graduation and alumni fee.
Some courses have additional fees to pay for extraordinary class–related expenses.
Fees - Nanaimo Campus |
Amount |
|---|---|
|
Tuition (8 months x $461.18 per month) |
3,689.44 |
|
Supply fee |
441.63 |
|
Student Services fee (4.417% of tuition) |
162.96 |
|
Student Activity fee (4% of tuition and lab fee) |
165.24 |
|
VIU Students' Union fee (8 months x $20.73 per month) |
165.84 |
|
Health and Dental Plan fee ($275 per year) |
275.00 |
|
Books and supplies (approximate cost) |
1,300.00 |
|
Total |
6,200.11 |
* Students are responsible for transportation costs to job site.
The Health and Dental Plan fee is in effect only for full-time students at the Nanaimo Campus. ?
All fees are subject to change without prior notice.
UpdatedApplications are accepted on an ongoing basis.
| Program Start Date | Accepting Applications | Campus | Options | |||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 8, 2020 | Ongoing |
Powell River
|
Foundation Level One | |||||||||||
|
Anticipated intake for someone applying today
Sep 8, 2020
Information Session
Carpentry
information sessionAccepting International Applications
No
Application Fee
$40.90
Testing Required
Yes
Admissions Assistant
Name: Tarra Tipton Comments
|
||||||||||||||
| Feb 8, 2021 | Ongoing |
Nanaimo
|
||||||||||||
|
Anticipated intake for someone applying today
Feb 8, 2021
Next Intake(s)
Accepting International Applications
No
Application Fee
$41.72
Waitlist
No
Testing Required
Yes
Admissions Assistant
Name: Amelia Maher-Ahmed Chair Contact
Name: Cam Frenette Comments
To be considered for admission into the program, applicants are strongly encouraged to write the Carpentry self-assessment. Please contact the Admissions Assistant for information on this test. |
||||||||||||||
| Sep 7, 2021 | Ongoing |
Cowichan
|
||||||||||||
|
Anticipated intake for someone applying today
Sep 7, 2021
Next Intake(s)
Information Session
Carpentry
information sessionAccepting International Applications
No
Application Fee
$41.72
Waitlist
No
Testing Required
Yes
Admissions Assistant
Name: Shirley McGregor Chair Contact
Name: Michael Braun Documentation Deadline
At this time Vancouver Island University’s Faculty of Trades and Applied Technology is waiving the admission requirement of the assessment until such time as we are again able to offer it on campus or in a secure alternate delivery format. Comments
Build the foundation for your career in the carpentry industry with Vancouver Island University’s Carpentry Foundation Program. VIU’s eight-month program is for anyone who wants a career that combines physical and mental work and the rewarding feeling that comes with building things. |
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Steve Remple
“One of the most memorable concepts I've learned in the Carpentry program is thinking through a project from start to finish before you start building, which will make the process go a lot smoother. I've also learned to ask for other people's input on how to do something because everyone has a different way of thinking and working out problems. By doing this you can find ways that may help you work more efficiently.”
All students are required to complete Carpentry assessment testing.
Build the foundation for your career in the carpentry industry with Vancouver Island University’s Carpentry Foundation Program. VIU’s eight-month program is for anyone who wants a career that combines physical and mental work and the rewarding feeling that comes with building things.