There are a number of program providers in British Columbia that offer training for skilled trades. It’s important to remember that in order to gain your certification in various skilled trades you need to first secure an apprenticeship sponsor.
BCIT
With campuses in Vancouver, Richmond, Burnaby, and North Vancouver, BCIT offers a wide range of full time apprenticeship trades training. Explore their programs.
Camosun College
Located in Victoria on Vancouver Island, Camosun offers trades training in plumbing, refrigeration and air conditioning, and welding. Explore their programs.
Kwantlen Polytechnic University
Serving the Lower Mainland, Kwantlen has campuses in Richmond, Surrey, Cloverdale, and Langley and offers a range of trades programs including plumbing and welding. Explore their programs.
North Island College
Located on Vancouver Island, North Island College offers a wide breadth of trades programs. Explore their programs.
Northern Lights College
Located in Dawson Creek, Northern Lights College offers training in plumbing and welding. Explore their programs.
Okanagan College
Based in Kelowna, Okanagan College offers a variety of skilled trades training. Explore their programs.
Pacific Vocational College
An institution focused specifically on trades vocations, PVC is located in Burnaby and offers training in plumbing, gasfitting, sprinklerfitting, and steamfitting. Explore their programs.
UA Local 170
UA Local 170’s members are made up of plumbers, sprinkler fitters, steamfitters, and welders. They provide apprenticeships and training for these fields. Explore their programs.
UA Local 516
UA Local 516’s members work in HVAC and refrigeration. They provide apprenticeships and training to their members in these trades. Explore their programs.
Training programs offered in the Lower Mainland can fill quickly. If you are having trouble finding a course in this region, explore options in colleges elsewhere in British Columbia.
Youth Training Programs
For young people interested in pursuing a career in the skilled trades, there are a number of programs provided by SkilledTradesBC (formally Industry Training Authority) to those still in high school or about to graduate.
- Discover the Trades – For children to get hands-on access to various trades in school programs.
- Explore the Trades – For high school students in grades 10-12 allowing them to try various trades to learn what they are most interested in pursuing. A great precursor to an apprenticeship program.
- Train in Trades – For high school students in grades 11-12, it allows them to train in a specific trade and get credits towards their apprenticeship.
- Work in Trades – For high school students in grades 11-12, this allows you to do work-based training while still in high school.
