Apprenticeship Info & Contacts
Apprenticeship Training in BC
Access to Apprenticeship Training
Apprenticeship training combines on-the-job training with classroom-based training held at many BC post-secondary institutions. After you complete both the post-secondary course work and the workplace training, you earn a BC government-recognized credential. This will certify that you are a skilled trades person and will help you find employment.The BC secondary and post-secondary education systems offer many opportunities that support BC's apprenticeship programs. The Provincial Apprenticeship Program is a formal agreement between an employer, an employee and the Province of BC.
The length of time it takes to complete an apprenticeship varies depending on the trade.
There are several ways you can access apprenticeship training in BC. Here is a brochure you will find helpful.
Outlined below are three ways the BC education systems support access to apprenticeship training.
1. For High School Aged Students: Secondary School Access
Secondary School Apprenticeship (SSA) is a standard apprenticeship program that combines on-the-job training with specific technical training in an educational setting. While in high school, students do 480 hours of on-the-job training that applies towards the requirements for an apprenticeship.
SSA students must be 19 years old and younger. Students have up to three months after grade 12 graduation to complete their SSA work hours.
For SSA details check out Secondary School Apprenticeship
We encourage you to check directly with your school district to find the SSA program that works best for you.
2. For Young Adults & Mature Learners: Post-secondary Education Access
You can arrange to take a pre-apprenticeship program. These are called Foundation or Entry Level Trades Training (ELTT) programs and many BC post-secondary institutions offer them.
Pre-apprenticeship programs do not guarantee access to a formal apprenticeship, but they give you the skills necessary to arrange on-the-job training or find a sponsoring employer. They may also provide credit towards the classroom-based portion of an apprenticeship.
Pre-apprenticeship programs are a great way to explore your trade options.
Try searching Pre-apprenticeship Programs is see for yourself.
Once you find a pre-apprenticeship program that interests you, we recommend you check directly with BC's Industry Training Authority (ITA) to confirm the number of credits you can apply from a pre-apprenticeship program to your full apprenticeship. The number of credits will vary between trades.
3.
For Individuals with an Employer Sponsor: Direct Entry
If you have an employer that will sponsor your on-the-job training portion of an apprenticeship you can make the formal arrangements directly with the employer and BC's Industry Training Authority (ITA).
It is important to contact ITA directly to ensure the correct procedures are followed.
ITA can also help you and your employer learn how to access and complete the classroom-based training.
You should also contact the apprenticeship coordinator or counsellor at the post-secondary institution you would like to attend. Contact information for each institution is listed in the Apprenticeship Section of Education Planner.
Confirming your program application procedures and developing a training schedule that works for both you and your employer will provide a smooth transition between on-the-job training and classroom-based training.