Program Length
- 8 Months
Credential
- Certificate
Options
- Apprenticeship
Location Offered
- Cowichan
- Nanaimo
- tiwšɛmawtxʷ (Powell River)
Build the foundation for your career in the carpentry industry with VIU’s Carpentry program. Vancouver Island University’s eight-month Carpentry Training Program is for anyone who wants a career that combines physical and mental work and the rewarding feeling that comes with building things.
Graduates find work as apprentice carpenters, concrete formers, wood framers, finishing carpenter’s helpers, cabinet installers and home renovators. It’s also a good foundation for getting into construction project management. With a combination of classroom and on-the-job training, this Carpentry course is unique – it is one of only two programs in the province that sends students off-site to build real houses.
The Carpentry Certificate Program
This Foundation program covers the basic carpentry skills required in preparation for employment as a carpenter apprentice in the building industry.
The program has been developed collaboratively by industry and Vancouver Island University, and follows the BC Provincial Apprenticeship Level 1 program competencies. The curriculum seeks an effective balance between hands-on learning activities and specific academic and theoretical components.
The program includes on-the-job training as well as construction of real life projects. Strong ties with the Nanaimo CHBA and other local contractors, United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners Local 527, City of Nanaimo building officials, and many other sub-trades and suppliers have resulted in a close cooperative training partnership with the local building industry.
Students will be evaluated throughout the program and will receive letter grades and weighted credits for each of the courses, including applied and theoretical work.
Class times may vary, and students can expect to spend one to two hours a day on homework. Good attendance is mandatory. A minimum 70% grade average in theory and practical is required to receive a graduation certificate.
Students who successfully complete the program will be awarded a certificate from Vancouver Island University for Carpentry Foundation (Level I Carpentry Apprenticeship).
For more information and schedules visit VIU's Trades and Applied Technology Apprenticeship page.
| Carpentry | Credits |
|---|---|
| CPTY 111T - (Occupational Skills, Documentation, Tools, and Safety) | 8.5 |
| CPTY 113T - (Surveying, Layout, and Concrete) | 4.5 |
| CPTY 115T - (Framing and Building Science) | 4.5 |
| CPTY 109T - (Work Experience) | 1.5 |
Total Credits | 19.0 |
| Essential Skills | Credits |
|---|---|
| ESFC 100T - (Personal Management Skills) | 2.0 |
| ESFC 105T - (Trades Math) | 1.0 |
| ESFC 110T - (Business Operations) | 0.5 |
| ESFC 115T - (The Emerging Workplace) | 0.5 |
| ESFC 120T - (Employment Strategies) | 1.0 |
Total Credits | 5.0 |
All program courses must be successfully completed before certificates will be issued.
- Grade 12, or equivalent, or mature student status.
- Minimum 17 years of age.
- Successful completion of assessment testing.
- Personal profile.
- Interview may be required.
- See also Trades general admission requirements.
Notes on Admission
- Physically fit and able to adapt to working conditions.
- Good hand/eye coordination.
- Good health, free of vision, hearing or respiratory ailments.
- For student’s wishing to operate vehicles and equipment a valid driver’s license will be required.
- Enrolment in this program is limited. Students who meet or exceed the minimum admission requirements may not necessarily be admitted to the program.
This unique, high-profile, information-packed program is well recognized by the building industry as an excellent introduction to the residential and commercial building industries. The program provides a path to apprenticeship, a career, and Red Seal Certification.
Graduates of this program have been successful in procuring employment in positions such as apprentice carpenters, concrete formers, wood framers, finishing carpenters’ helpers, cabinet installers, and home renovators. Graduates have also found employment with many other related building industry employers.
Excellent opportunities exist for graduates of this program to obtain carpentry apprenticeships with professional building contractors or the Carpenters’ Unions.
Work Placement Opportunities
Apprenticeship Information
Graduates of this program may receive credit towards the technical portion of the first year of the Carpenter Apprenticeship program. In order to complete the apprenticeship and become a journeyperson, graduates would find an employer in the industry to provide the on-the-job training and return to Vancouver Island University for 7 weeks per year in each of the next three years.
The Carpenter Apprenticeship program consists of 4 years of on-the job experience combined with in-school technical training in order to become eligible to write the Interprovincial (Red Seal) examination for journeyperson certification.
For more information on apprenticeship training, please visit the website at SkilledTradesBC, phone 1.866.660.6011, or call Apprentice at Vancouver Island University toll–free at 1.888.920.2221 Ext. 6227 or email apprentice@viu.ca. Visit Vancouver Island University’s Trades and Applied Technology Apprenticeship page for more information and schedules.
Domestic Fees
Tuition and Other Mandatory Student Fees
When applying to the program, applicants will be charged a non-refundable application fee.
When applying to graduate, students will be charged a non-refundable graduation and alumni fee.
Some courses have additional fees to pay for extraordinary class–related expenses.
| Fees - Nanaimo Campus | Amount |
|---|---|
| Tuition (8 months x $499.20 per month) | 3,993.60 |
| Supply fee | 478.03 |
| Student Activity fee (8 months x $19.97 per month) | 159.76 |
| Student Services fee (8 months x $22.05 per month) | 176.40 |
| VIU Students' Union fee (8 months x $27.60 per month) | 220.80 |
| Health and Dental Plan fee ($285.00 per year) | 285.00 |
| Books and supplies (approximate cost) | 1,300.00 |
| Total | 6,613.59 |
* Students are responsible for transportation costs to job site.
The VIUSU Health and Dental Plan fee is assessed for all students enrolled in 6 credits or more per term, or in Trades/Vocational programs of 5 months or longer.
All fees are subject to change without prior notice and are expected to increase by 2% each year on April 1.
Domestic (Canadian)
| Program Start Date | Accepting Applications | Campus | Options |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ongoing | Nanaimo | January 27, 2025 (FULL), September 2, 2025 | |
|
Anticipated intake for someone applying today:
Application Fee:
$45.16
Waitlist:
Yes
Testing Required:
Yes
Admissions Assistant:
Name: Alana Gaetz Email: alana.gaetz@viu.ca
Chair Contact:
Name: Joe Blain Email: Joe.Blain@viu.ca
Document Deadline:
Applicants are added to the waitlist once all requested documents have been received.
Comments:
Vancouver Island University’s Faculty of Trades and Applied Technology is asking applicants to complete the assessment test as a self-assessment. This arrangement will be in place until such time as we are again able to offer it on campus or in a secure alternate delivery format.
|
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| Ongoing | Cowichan | ||
|
Anticipated intake for someone applying today:
Next Intake(s):
The Carpentry Certificate program at the Cowichan campus has one intake each Fall.
Information Session:
Carpentry information session
Application Fee:
45.16
Admissions Assistant:
Name: Shirley McGregor Phone: 250.746.3512 Email: Shirley.McGregor@viu.ca
Chair Contact:
Name: Joe Blain Phone: 250.740.3245 Email: Joe.Blain@viu.ca |
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| Ongoing | tiwšɛmawtxʷ (Powell River) | ||
|
Anticipated intake for someone applying today:
Next Intake(s):
The Carpentry - Foundation Level 1 program has one intake each Fall.
Information Session:
Carpentry information session
Application Fee:
45.16
Accepting Late Applications:
Yes
Waitlist:
Yes
Testing Required:
Yes
Admissions Assistant:
Name: Erin Johnson Phone: 604.485.2878 ext. 8033 Email: erin.johnson@viu.ca
Comments:
All students are required to complete Carpentry assessment testing. Build the foundation for your career in the carpentry industry with Vancouver Island University’s Carpentry Foundation Program. VIU’s eight-month program is for anyone who wants a career that combines physical and mental work and the rewarding feeling that comes with building things. See Powell River Carpentry Foundation Level 1 for more information. If you are interested in starting in Fall 2023 please apply to VIU and contact PRCampus@viu.ca. |
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Sign up for more information about this program
Further information on this program can be found on the Department website.
Visit the Department WebsitePrevious versions of this program can be found in the Program Archive.
Steve Remple
“One of the most memorable concepts I've learned in the Carpentry program is thinking through a project from start to finish before you start building, which will make the process go a lot smoother. I've also learned to ask for other people's input on how to do something because everyone has a different way of thinking and working out problems. By doing this you can find ways that may help you work more efficiently.”