Automotive Service Technician Foundation, Certificate

Program at a glance

Credential

Certificate

Area of Study

Trades & Apprenticeship

Study options

Full-time

Work experience

None

Open to International

Length

30 weeks

Apply Today

At a glance image

Instructor Patrick Jones with student working on an electric vehicle

Fundamental training

Start in September or March

The Automotive Service Technician program prepares you for entry into the automotive mechanical repair trade and provides possible accreditation towards Year 1 Apprenticeship training.

Fuelling your future

This Foundation program covers general automotive practices, fuel and electrical/electronic systems, engine performance and repair. In only 30 weeks, you will graduate with the skills and knowledge that make you highly employable within many areas of the automotive industry, including lube technician, tire repair technician, brake & muffler installer, parts person, and a broad range of other positions.

As a graduate of this program, you'll be ready to start your future employment with credit for 450 hours toward the 1,500 hours required for Level 1 AST apprenticeship.

Next up: apprenticeship

As an apprentice, you will continue to build on your skills in your speciality and gain the practical experience necessary to become fully qualified through Levels 2, 3 and 4 to get your journeyperson certificate of qualification. After Level 4 you will be eligible to write the inter-provincial Red Seal exam.

For more details regarding the Industry Training Program apprenticeship, please review the ITA Accredited Program profiles for Automotive Service Technician Certification. Apprentice training

Check it out:
Virtual Trades Information Session

Program outline

For more details, including courses, please see the program outline in the Academic Calendar.

Program outline

Automotive Service Technician Foundations students smile as they work on an genine

Current and future students
Current and future students can browse current and upcoming courses using the myCamosun course catalogue.

What to expect

Located at our Interurban campus, this 30 week program is designed to prepare you for entry into the Automotive Service Technician trade. You will learn automotive tools and equipment, general automotive maintenance and practices, electrical/electronic systems, brakes, steering and suspension service, as well as engine performance and repair. Upon completion of the program, you will be prepared for entry into many areas of the automotive industry, including as a lube technician, tire repair technician, brake and muffler installer, or parts person.

You'll be exposed to on-the-job conditions so be prepared to work outdoors regardless of the weather. You should be in good physical health and have good hand-eye coordination and manual dexterity.

All trades programs have a mandatory attendance requirement. If you miss three days in a class, you may be required to withdraw from the course. (Exemptions may be made in exceptional circumstances, at the discretion of the Dean.)

Tuition and fees

Effective from September 1, 2022, to August 31, 2023

Estimated tuition

Tuition estimates are for the entire program

Automotive Service Technician Foundation, Certificate

$3,202* (domestic)

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.

Financial Aid & Awards

Curriculum & courses

Start dates and application deadlines

Start in September or March.

Foundation program schedules

Admission requirements

When you apply you will need to submit proof that you meet the following admission requirements.

Tip: Where a letter grade is specified, you must have proof of that grade or higher.

One of:

C in English 11
C in ENGL 058

And one of:

C in Apprenticeship and Workplace Math 11
C in MATH 038

Note: If you don't have one of the preferred math requirements the college will accept a C or higher in Foundations of Math 11 and Pre-calculus 11, or Principles of Math 11, or Applications of Math 11, or MATH 073 or MATH 137.

For more details, including courses, please see the program outline in the Academic Calendar.

Apply today

Missing admission requirements?

Take an assessment or upgrade with us.

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 broadk @camosun.ca.

Kyle Broad

Chair, Motor Vehicle and Metal Trades

Kyle began his Trades career when he successfully completed the Red Seal apprenticeship program in Automotive Mechanical Repair at Camosun College in ...

Michael Bocsik

Instructor, Automotive Service Technician Apprentice and Foundation

I completed my Red Seal in automotive in February, 1994 from Camosun College. Two days after my completion, I started my own automotive business in do ...

Andrew Bullen

Toolroom Attendant, Automotive Service Technician Foundation

Patrick Jones

Instructor and Program Leader, Automotive Service Technician Apprentic

Patrick is a Red-Seal Certified Automotive Technician who completed his apprenticeship training in 1987 through Camosun College. He spent 27 years wor ...