Program at a glance
Credential
Certificate
Area of Study
Trades & Apprenticeship
Study options
Full-time
Blended delivery
Work experience
None
Open to International
No
Length
5-10 weeks depending on trade
At a glance image
Get a job, then go to school
Start dates vary
An apprenticeship is a two-way agreement between you and your employer/sponsor to provide you with appropriate opportunities to become fully competent in the trade of your choice. Your on-the-job training is supplemented with technical training in a classroom or shop setting.
Two ways to get started in Trades
Technical training for registered apprentices
If you are currently employed as an apprentice, you can get your required technical training at Camosun. Depending on which trade you've chosen, you'll be in school for five to 10 weeks in each year of your apprenticeship.
Our instructors are certified and experienced in their fields and are passionate about sharing that knowledge. While at Camosun you will develop your skills in communication, critical thinking, problem-solving, mathematics, and safe work practices.
Camosun offers apprenticeship training in a wide variety of trades, including 12 trades with the Interprovincial Red Seal endorsement. Successful completion of all levels leads to the BC Certificate of Qualification.
Foundation & pre-employment programs
Foundation and pre-employment certificate programs combine in-class learning with hands-on practical skills, making you well-positioned to begin an apprenticeship.
When you graduate you'll also receive an equivalent credit for Level 1 technical training as well as some of the required work-based training hours.
What you'll learn
Current students wanting information about your program, go to student planning in myCamosun.
Earn while you learn
As an apprentice, you’ll spend about 80% of your time on the job, so you earn while you learn. In addition to that practical experience, you also need to sign up for a few weeks of in-school technical training each year. Practical work hours and technical training are both required to achieve your full trade qualification.
Direct Entry Apprenticeship programs
Architectural Trades
- Carpenter - Red Seal - 7 weeks
- Construction Craft Worker - Red Seal - 4 weeks
Electrical Trades
- Electrician - Red Seal - 10 weeks
Metal Trades
- Metal Fabricator - Red Seal - 6 or 7 weeks
- Sheet Metal Worker - Red Seal - 6 or 8 weeks
- Welder - Red Seal - 8 or 10 weeks
Motor Vehicle Trades
- Automotive Service Technician - Red Seal - 7 weeks
- Diesel Engine Mechanic - Red Seal - 8 to 10 weeks
- Heavy Duty Equipment Technician - Red Seal
- Transport Trailer Technician - Red Seal
- Truck and Transport Mechanic - Red Seal
Plumbing & Pipe Trades
- Domestic/Commercial Gas Fitter - BC Certificate of Qualification - 6 weeks
- Plumber - Red Seal - 6 to 8 weeks
- Refrigeration & Air Conditioning Mechanic - Red Seal - 6 to 10 weeks
- Sprinkler Fitter - Red Seal - 6 weeks
- Steam/Pipe Fitter - Red Seal - 6 to 8 weeks
Professional Cook
- Professional Cook 1 - BC Certificate of Qualification - 6 weeks
- Professional Cook 2 - BC Certificate of Qualification - 6 weeks
- Professional Cook 3 - Red Seal - 6 weeks
- E-PPRENTICE Cook 1, 2 & 3 option
Need a little more flexibility? The E-PPRENTICE Cook program provides the option for online delivery of the Technical Training portion of your apprenticeship.
ITA Designated Trainer
Program standards for each trade's required training are set by the Industry Training Authority (ITA).
Tuition and fees
Effective from September 1, 2022, to August 31, 2023
Estimated tuition
Tuition estimates are for the entire program
Direct Entry Apprenticeship program tuition fees
The following lists the technical training offered at Camosun.
Architectural Trades
- Carpenter - Red Seal - 7 weeks - $663
- Construction Craft Worker - Red Seal - 4 weeks - $663
Electrical Trades
- Electrician - Red Seal - 10 weeks - $1,071
Metal Trades
- Metal Fabricator - Red Seal - 6 or 7 weeks - $561
- Sheet Metal Worker - Red Seal - 6 or 8 weeks - $663
- Welder - Red Seal - 8 or 10 weeks - $867
Motor Vehicle Trades
- Automotive Service Technician - Red Seal - 7 weeks - $663
- Diesel Engine Mechanic - Red Seal - 8 to 10 weeks - $765
- Heavy Duty Equipment Technician - Red Seal - 4 to 10 weeks
- Transport Trailer Technician - Red Seal - 4 to 10 weeks
- Truck and Transport Mechanic - Red Seal - 4 to 10 weeks
Plumbing & Pipe Trades
- Domestic/Commercial Gas Fitter - BC Certificate of Qualification - 6 weeks - $663
- Plumber - Red Seal - 6 to 8 weeks - $663
- Refrigeration & Air Conditioning Mechanic - Red Seal - 6 to 10 weeks - $663
- Sprinkler Fitter - Red Seal - 6 weeks - $663
- Steam/Pipe Fitter - Red Seal - 6 to 8 weeks - $663
Professional Cook
- Professional Cook 1 - BC Certificate of Qualification - 6 weeks - $663
- Professional Cook 2 - BC Certificate of Qualification - 6 weeks - $663
- Professional Cook 3 - Red Seal - 6 weeks - $663
Domestic tuition fees vary depending on the individual course fees for the classes you select.
Student fees
In addition to tuition estimates, student fees are calculated based on your enrolment. Refer to: Student Fees
Financial assistance
You may need to find more than one source of funding to help pay for your education and living costs while attending college. Check out sources of money you don't need to pay back as well as those that need to be repaid.
Curriculum & courses
Camosun's Trades Apprenticeship Schedules
Trades Apprenticeship schedules
Register for Apprenticeship Technical Training
Ready to get started at Vancouver Island's largest provider of trades training? Camosun accepts applications to apprenticeship technical training programs year-round.
Participation Requirements
All trade programs have a mandatory attendance requirement. If you miss three days in an apprenticeship class, you’ll be required to withdraw from the course. In exceptional cases, the Chair may recommend an exemption to this policy. The final decision on withdrawal from a program will rest with the Dean. You are ultimately responsible for your own learning and for meeting the requirements of the program. You are encouraged to communicate issues concerning your program with your instructor or Program Chair.
Program standards for each trade's required training are set by the Industry Training Authority (ITA).
Contact us
If you have admissions questions contact the Admissions office.
If you have questions about what you can expect to learn in your Trades classes contact tradesinfo@camosun.ca or the department Chair.
Faculty/staff profile
Kyle Broad
Chair, Motor Vehicle and Metal Trades
Faculty/staff profile
Darren Vaux
Chair, Program Leader, Plumbing and Pipe Trades,
Faculty/staff profile
Faculty/staff profile
Faculty/staff profile
Albert van Akker
Chair, Architectural Trades and Carpentry Program Leader
Contact information
Trades Apprenticeship
Contact us
Campus location
Camosun College Interurban
Trades and Technology • CTEI 102
4461 Interurban Rd
Victoria BC V9E 2C1