Carpenter Apprenticeship Training
Industry Training Authority (ITA) approved
Where: Comox Valley
Starts: See schedule below
- Advance your skills and qualifications in the Carpentry trade
- Work towards your Interprovincial (Red Seal) designation
Why Choose North Island College?
- Quality education. Our student success rate confirms the quality of instruction at North Island College as our graduates have some of the highest completion rates in the province.
- Excellent facilities. Exceptional value. We have up to date shops and equipment and highly experienced instructors. Our tuitions are some of the lowest in the Province and accommodations in this beautiful part of Vancouver Island are very reasonable.
- Industry approved training. NIC works closely with a program advisory committee, comprised of industry professionals and local employers, to ensure you receive the best, most current training possible.
Carpenter Technical Training
All NIC training programs follow the criteria set by the Industry Training Authority (ITA) to ensure your trade qualifications meet current industry standards.
CRA 100, Level 1, 6 weeks - Comox Valley
CRA 200, Level 2, 6 weeks - Comox Valley
CRA 300, Level 3, 6 weeks - Comox Valley
CRA 400, Level 4, 6 weeks - Comox Valley
North Island College works closely with industry to ensure your apprenticeship training is of the highest quality. For upcoming apprenticeship training schedules view the Schedules tab. For more information on Apprenticeships visit the ITA website.
Handbook for Carpenter Apprentices
The Handbook for Carpenter Apprentices is a free information package intended to familiarize students with the services available at NIC as well as what they will be studying and how to prepare. Also included is an outline of topics covered each year, a list of required materials, and a math self test, which students can use to assess their current abilities, and if needed, access information about where to get help.
To Be Successful
- Students will find greater ease and success in their training if their abilities in mathematics, reading, and writing are at a sufficient level. NIC Assessment Services are also available to provide Math and English assessments year round. For students who do need to refresh their skills or upgrade in a few areas, those classes are available tuition-free at NIC.
- School training periods can be very intense, especially because of the quantity of reading you will be required to do. Whenever possible, students are encouraged to complete reading in advance.
Carpenter Apprenticeship Training Classes
(updated January 12, 2012)
Dates and classes may change or be cancelled depending on demand.
Please call 250-923-9700 for the latest updates.
CRA-100 – Carpentry Apprenticeship Level 1
- 2011 Fall: October 3rd – November 10th
- 2012 Fall: October 1st – November 9th
- 2013 Spring: April 1st – May 10th
- 2013 Fall: November 12th - December 20th
- 2014 Winter: February 17th - March 28th
CRA-200 – Carpentry Apprenticeship Level 2
- 2011 Fall: November 14th – December 23rd
- 2012 Winter: January 3rd – February 10th
- 2012 Fall: November 13th – December 21st
- 2013 Spring: May 13th – June 21st
- 2013 Fall: September 30th - November 8th
- 2014 Fall: April 1st - May 9th
CRA-300 – Carpentry Apprenticeship Level 3
- 2011 Fall: November 14th – December 23rd
- 2012 Winter: February 13th – March 23rd
- 2012 Fall: October 1st – November 9th
- 2013 Winter: January 7th – February 15th
- 2013 Fall: November 12th - December 20th
- 2014 Spring: May 12th - June 20th
CRA-400 – Carpentry Apprenticeship Level 4
- 2011 Fall: October 3 – November 10th
- 2012 Spring: March 26th – May 4th
- 2012 Fall: November 13th – December 21st
- 2013 Winter: February 18th – March 28th
- 2013 Fall: September 30th - November 8th
- 2014 Winter: January 6th - February 14th
- What is an apprenticeship?
An apprenticeship is a relationship between an employer and an employee where the employee (the apprentice) commits to learn the trade while working for the employer, and the employer commits to provide on the job training, time away from the workplace for the apprentice to attend technical training classes, and to pay the apprentice a certain percentage of the journeyperson wage rate, which increases as the apprentice progresses through the training.
- What is a journeyperson?
A journeyperson is a person who has received a ‘Certification of Qualification’ in a trade. A journeyperson is then entitled to be referred to by the trade name (ie: Carpenter, Electrician, Millwright, Heavy Duty Mechanic, etc.)
- What training will I take?
Apprenticeships normally consist of approximately 80% on the job training and 20% in-school technical training. While working on the job site the apprentice is to learn the trade under the tutelage of a journeyperson, who is assigned responsibility for the apprentice’s training. The apprentice is also required to attend technical training classes. The classes are most commonly held in Colleges, and depending on the trade consist of 6 to 10 weeks of classroom training during each year of the apprenticeship.
- How long does an apprenticeship last?
An apprenticeship lasts 1 to 5 years, depending on the trade, and the rate the apprentice progresses through the training. Most apprenticeships are four years.
- How much will I earn?
The rate of pay depends on the rate being paid a journeyperson in the same trade with the same employer. Although it is dependent on the employer, the rates are often 50% for the first 6 months and rising through 55%, 60%, 65%, 70%, 75%, 80%, 90% at the end of each six month period. Rates vary by trade and by employer.
- What certification will I receive upon completion of my apprenticeship?
You will receive a ‘Certification of Apprenticeship’, and upon completion of the BC exam you will also receive a BC Government ‘Certification of Qualification’. Apprentices in many trades may also write the Inter-provincial (Red-Seal) exam. This certification is recognized across the country and enables Red-Seal qualified journeypersons to work in those trades across the country. In some trades in BC, the Red-Seal exam is used as the C of Q exam.