How Trades Training Works
What Are The Steps?
Choose a Trade:
This site lists up-to-date training schedules from BC's public post-secondary institutions for skilled-trade programs. Most programs —Apprentice, Foundation, and Youth— are administered by SkilledTradesBC. Not all trade programs are listed however; only the ones that the consortium partners offer which can be shown live.
Choose a Training Type:
Programs are classified by their training model. Select amongst the various PROGRAM TYPES below to view their full description.
Find a Program near you:
Program schedules list the latest offerings with dates. Select the letter-mail icon adjacent to the program of your choice to send an e-mail directly to the institution so that they can respond to your query.
PROGRAM TYPES
Apprenticeship
Apprenticeship is a combination of on-the-job and in-school training. An employer must sponsor an apprentice, which means that person works and earns a salary, but also takes some time for classroom learning — typically once per year. Successful completion of both components, along with examinations, is required to earn a certificate —AKA “ticket”— to become a certified tradesperson. Most trades take 4=four years to complete, with each year corresponding to a higher-numbered trade level, i.e. 1 through 4. The in-school technical training portion can range from 4 to 10 weeks per year, depending on the trade. Programs that are indicated as RED SEAL involve a further examination that can provide a Canada-wide designation of proficiency in the associated trade.