Through apprenticeship, you can earn certification to work in more than 100 trades in BC.
Apprenticeship combines paid on-the-job training (about 85 percent of most programs) with technical training in a classroom or shop setting. Apprenticeships range from one to five years in length; most programs take four years to complete.
In BC, apprenticeship training is delivered through a partnership of the Industry Training Authority (ITA), public post-secondary and private training institutions, and employers.
This section provides links to important information about apprenticeships in BC.
- Apprenticeship in BC - Learn about apprenticeship in BC and the financial support that may be available to you during training.
- Industry Training Authority - In BC, apprenticeship training is delivered through a partnership of the Industry Training Authority (ITA), public post-secondary and private training institutions, and employers. This website is the essential guide to becoming an apprentice in BC.
- The 2016 Trades Guide - This guide offers a unique and highly visual overview of opportunities in the skilled trades across BC. Even though this guide primarily targets youth, it also offers information useful to anyone interested in apprenticeship. This 2016 Trades Guide provides graphs and diagrams about how apprenticeship works in the province and the steps needed to get started as an apprentice.
- Careers in Construction - This page is all about the more than 50 trades in Canada's Construction Industry. It has information on which trades are in demand, sample education and career paths, an interactive Career Finder tool, and much more.
- BC Access Grant for Labour Market Priorities - This program provides grant funding to encourage eligible students to attend targeted high priority programs leading to becoming an apprentice. If you are planning to attend full-time studies in a foundation or pre-apprentice program at an eligible BC Post-Secondary institution, and you qualify for BC Student Loan funding, you could be eligible for further grants to help with the purchase of Tools, Relocation and Grants.
- WorkBC Apprentice Job Match Portal - The WorkBC Apprentice Job Match portal is designed to connect apprentices and employers throughout British Columbia. This tool allows job seeking apprentices go onto WorkBC’s website and search for registered employers in this province who are looking to sponsor an apprentice. Employers can use this tool to add apprentice information into job postings.
- Canada Apprenticeship Grants & Loans - The Government of Canada can provide up to $8,000 through the Apprenticeship Incentive Grant and the Apprenticeship Completion Grant, and up to $4,000 in interest-free loans per period of technical training.