Carpentry Foundation, Certificate

Program at a glance

Credential

Certificate

Work experience

None

Study options

Full-time

Open to International

Area of study

Trades Foundation

Length

25 weeks

Two paths

The difference between foundation program and apprenticeship.

Learn more

The most constructive career choice you can make

Your next start date is July

Can't stand the thought of a desk job? Like to work with your hands? The Camosun Carpentry Foundation program will teach you the skills and knowledge necessary to get started as a carpenter and build a solid future for yourself and your community.

Hands-on learning

In the Carpentry Foundation program, you'll develop skills and knowledge necessary for initial entry into the Carpentry trade. You'll learn about site layout, footings and foundations, and wood frame construction. Current best practices for environmental sustainability are emphasized.

You'll be exposed to on-the-job conditions so be prepared to work outdoors regardless of the weather.

The carpentry shop

The carpentry shop is located in the Drysdale Building on the Interurban campus. Our main shop is over 6000 sq. ft. (600 sq. metres) in size.

Other carpentry facilities include both indoor and outdoor platforms for constructing house framing. We also have a well equipped tool room and a large work bench area.

Practical projects will usually be done on site either at the college or in cooperation with local industry.

Information session

Learn more about Camosun's Carpentry Foundation program.

Virtual Trades Information Session

What you'll learn

Current students wanting information about your program, go to student planning in myCamosun.

An Indigenous Building Trades student stands in front of a house that is only framed in

Program outline

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

Program outline

What to expect

Located at our Interurban campus, this 25 week program is designed to prepare you for initial entry into the Carpentry trade. The program is delivered in two components: 1) site layout, footings, and foundations; and 2) wood frame construction. There is an emphasis on current best practices for environmental sustainability.

This full-time program is comprised of two courses, each running for three months. You can start the program at any of the four intake periods: January, April, July, or October (space permitting).

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. Occasionally, you'll have to work longer than normal college hours depending on the project.

Next up: Apprenticeship

As a graduate of the program, you will have skills equivalent to that of a first-year apprentice. While you will obtain training consistent with provincial standards for carpentry core knowledge, you will not acquire the skills and experience necessary to become fully qualified. However, credit for completing this program may be applied to an apprenticeship.

Learn more about the four-year apprenticeship programs offered by Camosun.

Tuition and fees

Effective from September 1, 2024, to August 31, 2025

Estimated tuition

Tuition estimates are for the entire program

Carpentry Foundation, Certificate

$2,781 (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

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.