Trade and Apprenticeship Programs

Trade foundations or pre-employment programs provide entry-level technical training and the skills needed for specific trades.

If you're not currently working in your chosen field, a foundation program can make it easier to find an employer to sponsor your apprenticeship training.

If you're currently employed and sponsored by an employer who is registered at SkilledTradesBC. 

You can do your 'classroom' or 'technical training' at Camosun. Upon successful completion, you'll be eligible to write the Red Seal Exam.

Automotive Service Technician Foundation - In Demand
Certificate - 30 weeks
Provides entry into the automotive mechanical repair trade, and provides possible accreditation toward Year 1 Apprenticeship training.

Heavy Mechanical Trades - In Demand
Certificate - 10 months
These tradespeople are in constant demand to keep essential heavy-duty vehicles in top running order for the booming construction, transportation, mining and forestry industries.

Motor Vehicle Trades Apprenticeships

• Automotive Service Technician
  Red Seal - 7 weeks
• Diesel Engine Mechanic
  8 to 10 weeks
• Heavy Duty Equipment Technician
  Red Seal - 4 to 10 weeks
• Transport Trailer Technician
  Red Seal - 4 or 10 weeks
• Truck and Transport
  Red Seal - 4 to 10 weeks

Carpentry Foundation
Certificate - 25 weeks

We'll teach you the skills and knowledge necessary to get started as a carpenter and build a solid future for yourself and your community.

Fine Furniture/Joinery Foundation
Certificate - 10 months

This program combines traditional woodworking and joinery skills with creativity and design providing the foundation you need to start a career as a cabinetmaker or design and build custom pieces.

Carpentry Apprenticeship

Red Seal - Seven weeks per level

There are four levels of training to complete your Red Seal Certification.

Professional Cook (Level 1 & 2)
Certificate - 28/14 weeks

Learn the fundamentals of food preparation in all aspects of a modern industrial kitchen.

E-pprenticeship Option
If you want more flexibility the E-pprentice Cook program gives you the option of doing the technical training portion of your apprenticeship online over a longer period.

Professional Cook

• Professional Cook 1 & 2
  B.C. Certificate of Qualification - 6 weeks each
• Professional Cook 3 - In Demand
  Red Seal - 6 weeks

E-pprenticeship Option
If you want more flexibility the E-pprentice Cook program gives you the option of doing the technical training portion of your apprenticeship online over a longer period.

Electrical Foundation
Certificate - 24 weeks

You’ll learn to install, maintain, design and upgrade a wide variety of electrical systems including commercial and residential wiring systems, heating, lighting and power distribution systems, electrical equipment and alternate energy generating equipment, alarm and data systems, and industrial systems.

Construction Electrician - In Demand
Red Seal - 10 weeks per level

Requires four levels to gain a Red Seal Certification. 

Horticulture Technician
Certificate - 10 months

Prepare for employment in the horticulture industry in areas including landscaping, landscape maintenance, parks, golf courses, retail garden outlets, greenhouses, silviculture, wholesale nurseries and plant propagation.

Not offered

Plumbing and Pipe Trades Foundation
Certificate - 30 weeks

Prepare for entry-level employment and apprenticeships in plumbing, gasfitting, sprinklerfitting and steam/pipefitting.

Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Mechanic Foundation
Certificate - 30 weeks

Focuses on the first-year competencies that are common to all of the piping trades including common core, occupational core and refrigeration and air conditioning specialty modules.

Pipe Trades Apprenticeships

• Domestic/Commercial Gasfitter
  BC Certificate of Qualification - 10 weeks
• Plumber
  Red Seal - 6 to 8 weeks
• Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Mechanic
  Red Seal - 6 to 10 weeks
• Sprinkler Fitter
  Red Seal - 8 weeks
• Steam/Pipefitter
  Red Seal - 6 to 8 weeks

Sheet Metal and Metal Fabrication Foundation
Certificate - 30 weeks

Opens doors to apprenticeships and careers in construction, shipbuilding and manufacturing.

Welder Foundation
Certificate - 28 weeks

Conforming to industrial standards, practices and procedures, this competency-based program provides you with the skills you'll need to prosper in today's job market.

Metal and Welding Apprenticeships

• Metal Fabricator
  Red Seal - 6 or 7 weeks
• Sheet Metal Worker
  Red Seal - 8 weeks
• Welder
  Red Seal - 8 or 10 weeks