Apprentices work as apprentice carpenters and come to VIU for 7 weeks each year for technical training. Learn more about the Application Process for Apprenticeship Technical Training.
Each level is associated with a 7-week technical training sessions. The 4 levels of the apprenticeship program are listed below:
Level 1 (7 weeks)
- 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
Note: apprentices who graduate from the Carpentry Foundation program receive credit for Level 1 apprenticeship.
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 Carpentry Red Seal Certification fromSkilledTradesBC.
Questions?
Contact the Apprenticeship Admissions and Registration Assistant
Email: apprentice@viu.ca
Phone : 250.740.6227

Morgan Brown, Journeyman Carpenter
“I like the teachers, they’re really knowledgeable, really prepare you for what to expect. It was really fun to go back each year. There are things about the trade that you had to be in the classroom to learn, you can’t learn it all on-site. And you can tell on the worksite who has the schooling. It gave me a jump up on everyone. I would recommend that other students complete their apprenticeships. Following through on all the apprenticeship levels was totally worth it. One of the bigger companies just hired me because of my Red Seal Certificate and they’re paying big bucks.”