Students engage in a variety of classroom and shop activities. Theoretical principles of construction are learned in the classroom, while the majority of the time is spent in the shop where students learn and gain mastery of practical carpentry skills. Early activities include the fabrication of small projects where students learn safe practices, proper tool use and fundamental construction techniques. Gradually, students build structures of increased complexity that simulate real-world construction scenarios. Students learn to lay out buildings and to construct concrete formwork, floors, walls, roofs, and stairs in compliance with BC Building Code standards.This 24-week program prepares learners for entry level positions as apprentice carpenters with home builders or building contracting companies involved in residential, commercial, or industrial construction. Students earn credit for the Level One technical training component of the carpentry apprenticeship as well as advance credit for 450 work-based hours of the practical on-the-job component of an apprenticeship.
Which department am I in?
School of Industry & Trades Training
Study options
Full Time
(24 Weeks)
Tuition fees
CAD$12,752.00 (7,73,364)
per year
Learning resource fee - 110
Start date
January 2027
Venue
Silver King Campus
2001 Silver King Road,
Nelson,
British Columbia,
V1L 1C8, West Coast, Canada
Entry requirements
For international students
The following admission requirements are specific to the Carpentry Foundation Program:
Graduation from a British Columbia senior secondary school or equivalent
Workplace Math 11, or Selkirk AUD Math 46, with minimum of 60% or better
Consideration will be given to mature individuals (19 years or older) who are not senior secondary school graduates, provided they are working to complete the recommended education:
- Grade 10 or equivalent including English 10, Mathematics 10
- Grade 12 preferred
All applicants are required to complete a computerized placement test using the College Readiness Tool (CRT) in reading, writing and mathematics once they have submitted their application.
*There may be different IELTS requirements depending on your chosen course.