A young man in glasses working under a car on a lift.

Automotive Service Technician Foundation

Exceptional training for an in-demand career

Learn in a live shop, working on customer vehicles. Solve real customer problems from day one. The VIU Automotive Technician Foundation program gets your automotive career off to a strong start by giving you all the skills you need for any entry-level automotive role including:

  • automotive apprentice
  • parts person
  • service adviso

The instructors in this program are highly experienced automotive service technicians who value hands-on, in-the-shop training.

Curious?

Come and check it out for yourself. Take a tour of the Automotive shop and meet our instructors. Contact us to schedule a visit.

Contact us

What to expect in this program

This is a technically intense program for people who want to pursue an automotive career. It is not a general interest course for people wanting to learn how to maintain their own vehicles. The 10-month program is full-time, four days a week.

Your classroom lectures feature dynamic presentations and movie clips. You can access classroom homework and assignments through our VIU Learn online learning management system.

What you learn

This month program covers all aspects of automotive and mechanical repair, including:

  • shop safety
  • tool and equipment use
  • vehicle maintenance servicing
  • vehicle braking systems
  • suspension steering systems
  • automotive electrical systems
  • engine mechanical systems
  • EFI, engine electronic controls
  • drive-train systems
  • welding
  • job-finding skills

When you graduate, you receive a certificate and credit for the technical portion of the first year of the Automotive Service Technician Apprenticeship. You’ll also be able to write the Level 1 Automotive Service Technician Apprentice provincial exam.

You’ll well prepared find a position as an automotive apprentice, which is your next step in becoming an automotive journeyperson.

Program details

For Program Costs and complete Admission Requirements and more details about your career options in this in-demand field, see the Automotive Certificate program page.

Apply

To become a student in the Automotive Program, apply to VIU.

Joseph Clifford, Automotive Journeyperson Technician

“Attending the Automotive ELTT (Foundation) program was one of the best decisions I made. The hands-on, and theory of the program helped me get a position in the automotive industry and I had a great time with the new people I met. I highly recommend this program for anyone who enjoys working with their hands.”