Build your carpentry career with VIU’s skilled instructors in the four-year Carpentry Apprenticeship program. Learn on the job and return each year for seven weeks of technical training.
The carpentry 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 Carpentry certificate program.
- safe Work Practices
- documentation and Organizational Skills
- tools and Equipment
- survey Instruments
- rigging & Hoisting Equipment
- site Layout
- concrete Formwork
- wood Frame Construction
- building Science
Level 2 (7 weeks)
- documentation and Organizational Skills
- tools and Equipment
- survey Instruments
- site Layout
- concrete Formwork
- wood Frame Construction
- finishing Materials
- building Science
Level 3 (7 weeks)
- documentation and Organizational Skills
- tools and Equipment
- site Layout
- concrete Formwork
- wood Frame Construction
- finishing Materials
Level 4 (7 weeks)
- documentation and Organizational Skills
- survey Instruments
- site Layout
- wood Frame Construction
- finishing Materials
- building Science
Admission information
- successfully completed the previous apprenticeship level
- registered as an apprentice with SkilledTradesBC
- have 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 | Domestic 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