Work on customer vehicles, learn from expert technicians, and build your career in the automotive trade. Apprentices train on the job and return to VIU for seven weeks each year of technical instruction.
The automotive apprenticeship program consists of:
- 4 years (6360 training hours) of on-the job experience
- 4 levels of technical training
- writing the Interprovincial (Red Seal) examination for journeyperson-certification. Learn more about the Application Process for Apprenticeship Technical Training.
Level 1 (7 weeks)
Level 1 is also covered in VIU’s Automotive Service Technician certificate program.
- auto shop Safety
- technical information resources and technology
- basic and measuring tools, thread repair, power tools, pipe tubing, fasteners, shop equipment
- steering and Suspension systems
- brake systems, including antilock and traction control
- basic electricity, batteries, electrical circuitry and meters
Level 2 (7 weeks)
- gasoline and diesel engines
- starting systems, charging systems and auxiliary circuits
- basic diesel injection systems
- air conditioning systems
- refrigerant handling certification
Level 3 (7 weeks)
- ignition systems and electronic engine controls
- fuel composition, carburetion, delivery systems
- gasoline fuel injection systems
- turbo, Supercharger and alternative fuel systems
- emission control systems and OBD2
Level 4 (7 weeks)
- clutches, standard transmissions and transaxles
- 4 wheel drive, all wheel drive systems, differentials
- automatic transmissions and transaxles
- air Care administration
Upon successful completion of all 4 years of technical training, verification of work based training hours, successful completion of the Interprovincial Exam, students will receive their Automotive Service Technician Red Seal Certification.
Admission Information
- successfully completed the previous apprenticeship level
- registered as an apprentice with SkilledTradesBC
- actively tracking work-based training hours with an employer sponsor
Tuition and Other Mandatory Student Fees include supply fees, student activity fee, student services fee and VIU Students’ Union fee.
Costs are for budgeting purposes only and will be confirmed when you register for the course.
| Apprenticeship Level | Tuition | Additional mandatory student fees | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Level 1 | $822.71 | 143.01 | 965.72 |
| Level 2 | 822.71 | 143.01 | 965.72 |
| Level 3 | 822.71 | 143.01 | 965.72 |
| Level 4 | 822.71 | 143.01 | 965.72 |
| Full program | 3,290.84 | 572.04 | 3,862.88 |
All fees are subject to change without prior notice and are expected to increase by 2% each year on April 1.
Start dates for all apprenticeship training in BC can be found on Trades Training BC. Apprenticeship training classes at Vancouver Island University fill on a first-come, first-registered basis. There are waiting lists for many trades and apprenticeship levels.
Please contact the Apprenticeship Admissions and Registration Assistant for seat availability and waitlist information:
Email: apprentice@viu.ca
Phone: 250.740.6227
An Apprenticeship Admissions and Registration Assistant can help with your questions:
- email apprentice@viu.ca
- call us at 250-740-6227.
- visit the Trades and Applied Technology office in Building 180, Room 110
- open Monday to Friday, 8 am to 4 pm
Help paying for school
Help paying for school
Financial help for apprentices
There is WorkBC, Employment Insurance, Canada Apprentice Loans and tax credits to help
Financial Aid & Awards
The Financial Aid & Awards office can direct you to grants, student loans and more
Trades bursaries
We have many bursaries for Trades programs