Carpenters are in high demand, giving you high earning and career growth potential. With this trade, you’ll enjoy the flexibility of being an independent contractor or the security of working for larger organizations. 

 

Selkirk College is endorsed by the BC Industry Training Authority to deliver all four levels of Carpentry Apprenticeship Technical Training to registered carpentry apprentices.

 

Each level of training consists of a full-time (30 hours per week), seven-week, on-campus program of study. Activities include classroom sessions where as an apprentice you will learn theoretical principles of carpentry, and shop sessions where knowledge is put to use in the mastery of practical skills.

 

Harmonized Carpentry Apprenticeship

Note: New Carpenter Apprentices starting the program after April 2017 will be required to complete their levels in the harmonized program. For an explanation of why Carpentry is being Harmonized in BC please see the Industry Training Authority.

Harmonized apprentice levels will be regularly scheduled as follows:

• Level 1 intakes offered after April 1, 2017
• Level 2 intakes offered after April 1, 2018
• Level 3 intakes offered after April 1, 2019
• Level 4 intakes offered after April 1, 2020

Current Carpentry Apprentices will have the following options to complete their training:

Option 1: Complete the current program

Apprentices that began their training prior to April 2017 are encouraged to complete each level of training in their current stream as follows:

• Level 2 by March 31, 2018
• Level 3 by March 31, 2019
• Level 4 by March 31, 2020

Option 2: Transition from the current stream to the harmonized stream

Current apprentices that need to transition to the new program will need to complete GAP training in order to enter the new stream. Additional training is required to address the gaps in program content as follows:

Transition from current Level 1 to harmonized Level 2:

• Gap training consisting of 46 hours of missing content is required (approximately 1 week of full-time training).

Transition from current Level 2 to harmonized Level 3:

• No transition or Gap training is allowed.

Transition from current Level 3 to harmonized Level 4:

• Possible gap training is involved consisting of 17 hours of missing content.

Consider Carpentry If You Are

• Detail-oriented 
• Good with your hands 
• Comfortable working with a team 
• Hardworking and organized 
• Easily adaptable to diverse environments 
• Able to conceptualize and visualize finished products 

Upon successful completion of the Level 4 technical training session, apprentices write the Interprovincial Trade Qualification examination. Those who pass the exam and complete the work-based hours earn the BC Certificate of Apprenticeship, the BC Certificate of Qualification, and the Interprovincial Standard Red Seal Endorsement.