Why study carpentry?
Why earn my certificate at UFV?
What type of career can I expect?
I'm not yet working in the carpentry industry. Will this program get me there?
What if I'm already working in the trade and want to do an apprenticeship?
Sounds good. What do I need to get in?
What if I'm still in high school but know this is the career I want?
When should I apply?
How does the carpentry program work?
What are the program requirements?
How much does it cost? Can I afford to take this program?
Anything else I need to know?
I'm interested. What do I do next?
Is there an upgrading policy?
I'm not sure that this program is for me. Can I speak with someone about my options?
Why study carpentry?
It’s impossible to get through a day in B.C.’s Lower Mainland without noticing the growing housing and construction boom. Indeed, the construction trade is booming. It’s a fast-paced, detail-oriented career and one you know you’ll thrive in.
Why earn my certificate at UFV?
UFV’s Carpentry program will prepare you for entry into the provincial apprenticeship program, as well as directly into employment. You’ll get a thorough introduction to the trade, and develop skills expected by
today’s demanding employers. Theory and shop procedures are set up to simulate job conditions, so your punctuality and good work habits are essential.
What type of career can I expect?
Once you successfully complete the program, you’ll be prepared for employment opportunities in the construction industry and construction-related businesses such as carpentry, building equipment, supply sales, construction, shipping and delivery, building maintenance, and modular housing construction. A career in the construction trades will offer lots of great opportunities if you’re willing to spend several years learning the trade.
I’m not yet working in the carpentry industry. Will this program get me there?
Absolutely! With UFV’s entry-level training, we help you build the framework of a carpentry career. The nine-month carpentry program will prepare you for entry into the provincial apprenticeship program, as well as directly into employment. Our program will give you a thorough introduction to the trade, and through hands-on experience, you’ll develop the skills expected by today’s employers. .
This program exceeds the provincial standards of Foundation and ELTT Training programs taught throughout B.C.
What if I’m already working in the trade and want to do an apprenticeship?
If you’re already working in the carpentry trade and you’re registered with the Industry Training Authority (ITA), our Carpentry Apprenticeship program is designed specifically to help you further your career. UFV offers all four levels of technical training in six-week sessions. These sessions will take you to your journeyperson certification and provide you with the appropriate on-the-job training along the way.
Sounds good. What do I need to get in?
You’ll need your B.C. secondary school graduation or equivalent and must pass a math and reading comprehension entrance exam.
What if I’m still in high school but know this is the career I want?
UFV allows high school students to complete this UFV program through a concurrent studies model during their grade 12 year. For more information, contact your district/school career counsellor. You may also contact UFV's Trades & Technology Centre at 604-847-5448 or email trades@ufv.ca.
What are the program requirements?
You must complete all requirements with a minimum of 70 percent or better to receive a Credit (CR) grade in order to graduate.
When should I apply?
Applications are accepted on a continuous basis throughout the year. Qualified applicants are considered for the next intake in which there is space.
How does the carpentry program work?As a student, you must show that you understand the theory by successfully completing a written test for each unit and then you must apply it to an acceptable level of practical skills as assigned in that unit. You will be working with the help of learning packages that will give step-by-step instructions. The learning materials may include printed worksheets, videotapes, display boards, lab manuals, instructions, demonstrations, and/or lectures.
At regular stages, you will be required to move to a shop or lab area to perform various tasks in order to develop some practical skills. Practical hands-on training as a part of the total plan will continue to increase while you progress through the program. Eventually, it should amount to about two-thirds of the overall training time. As much as possible, study lab and shop instruction are patterned after “on-the-job” situations, where a limited amount of direct supervision is required.
Your training will follow a modular system that begins by developing a wide variety of basic skills, and builds on these to develop intermediate and specialized skills required in this industry. The modular curriculum provides you with a flexible learning path, and allows for accelerated learning opportunities if you demonstrate a greater experience or skill level. This performance-paced process allows you to have an accelerated completion time and an opportunity to develop higher levels of expertise in any area of the program.
Sample topics include:
- Reading and interpreting drawings
- Using specialty equipment
- Site and building layout
- Building concrete forms
- Framing a building
- Finishing internal and external details
- Technical Communications 115 (three academic credits)
All unit tests and assigned practicals must be completed with a passing grade before writing the final exam.
How much will it cost? Can I afford to take this program?
Expect to pay program fees of about $115.01 per week; this covers tuition plus 10% of the tuition for ancillary fees. As a carpentry student, you should also budget about $300 for basic hand tools and working gear and $500 for the required textbooks.
We require a deposit (currently $200) to be paid when you register, which typically takes place one or two months before the start of each semester.
The balance of your fees must be paid by the second week of the semester. In addition, each semester (fall and winter) you will be required to pay a $30 Student Union Society membership fee, a $35 SUS capital fee, $4.50 Cascade student newspaper fee, a $3 per semester radio station fee and a $40 U-pass fee. A Health and Dental fee $160 is charged annually each fall semester to students to provide extended medical and dental insurance. You can check with the Student Union Society or at www.IHaveAPlan.ca for details.
It’s also worth a visit to the UFV financial aid and awards office, which facilitates the disbursement each year of approximately $12 million in federal and provincial student loans, grants, bursaries, scholarships, and awards to UFV students. A helpful budget planning worksheet is available online at www.ufv.ca/fineaid/budget
Anything else I need to know?
Carpentry can be a physically demanding job and that’s why a medical statement from a qualified physician may be required at any time before or during the program. You will be notified by a UFV official if or when that statement is required. UFV’s Carpentry program is delivered at the Trades & Technology Centre at the Canada Education Park in Chilliwack, which is open 8 am to 3:30 pm weekdays. Classes and shops are in session 8:00 am to 2:30 pm weekdays.
As a carpentry student you will be required to have attended continuously throughout all three semesters in order to successfully complete the requirements for your program. This performance-paced program allows you an accelerated completion time and the individual opportunity to develop higher levels of expertise in any area of the program. However, for all students the maximum program length will be enforced as stated under Dates & Attendance Requirements in the UFV calendar. The program runs from September to May and if you fail to meet the attendance requirements as outlined in your individual program guide, you might be subject to a failing grade or academic warning.
I’m interested. What do I do next?
Check out UFV’s online calendar at www.ufv.ca/calendar Read the carpentry section and program description carefully and if you wish to contact the instructor call Mark Ryan at 604-847-5426 or email mark.ryan@ufv.ca
Next, you can download an application form and submit it, along with the $45 application fee, to any UFV Admissions and Records office. You can also transmit it through the internet at www.pas.bc.ca
If you’re currently in Grade 12, you can apply now, but we require a statement from your school counsellor or principal indicating that you are likely to meet graduation requirements by June, and this must be presented at the time of your entrance exam appointment. You will be notified of your entrance exam date by the Trades & Technology Centre and there is no fee for writing this exam. If you have not been contacted within two weeks of submitting your application, please call us at 604-847-5402. Before classes start, you’ll be called and given all the registration procedures. If we can’t reach you after three attempts, you’ll be removed from the waitlist.
Is there an upgrading policy?
You have a busy life and we realize that. That’s where our upgrading program comes in. Our upgrading program allows you, if you’re currently or recently employed in the industry, to complete your certificate requirements or to become proficient in a specific process or technique. As an upgrading student, you are expected to meet program prerequisites through previous enrolment or proof of industry experience that must be approved by the program instructor. And while we’ll welcome you as an upgrading student, you cannot be enrolled for more than 13 weeks. It’s important to know that upgrading students cannot displace anyone registered in the next intake.
I’m not sure that this program is for me. Can I speak with someone about my options?
Yes! We want to hear from you! If you’re unsure of your direction, contact Student Services at 1-888-504-7441, ext. 4528 to arrange a tour, attend a "Becoming a Student" info session, connect with an educational advisor, or arrange for career counselling. You can also contact the staff at the Trades & Technology centre directly at 604-847-5448 or email trades@ufv.ca to get more details.
