What is Apprenticeship?

Apprenticeship combines paid on-the-job training, work experience and post-secondary classroom instruction. The majority of an apprentice’s time (80 per cent) is spent learning their skills and gaining experience on the job (under the direction of a highly skilled journeyperson) and approximately 20 per cent of their time is spent learning in a classroom setting.

The average apprenticeship program takes four years to complete, but depending on the trade, can range from one to five years in length. Upon completion, an apprentice is required to write an exam in order to receive his/her Journeyperson designation.

Apprenticeship is a proven method for giving British Columbia workers the skills they need to succeed in the workplace. British Columbia’s apprenticeship system is recognized globally for the quality of its curriculum and its graduates.

Okanagan College has been offering apprenticeship training for 44 years. Apprentices in our programs receive the highest quality of instruction, great service, and a solid foundation on which to build their career in the trades.

How do I become an Apprentice?

Once you secure employment in a trade and have an employer who is willing to provide you with on -the- job training you will then need to register with the Industry Training Authority. 

An apprenticeship is a three party agreement between; the apprentice, the employer and the Industry Training Authority. As an apprentice you learn your skills under the direction of a certified journeyperson which the employer assigns to your training. The Industry Training Authority will determine the terms of your apprenticeship, maintains your apprenticeship records and technical training results and ultimatley will provide your final examination and certification. Download this application to register as an apprentice with the Industry Training Authority. http://www.itabc.ca or contact the ITA at:  1-866-660-6011.

Most apprenticeships require that you attend technical training as a requirement for completing your trade training. Each trade requires various levels of training. Normally, an apprentice will attend a block of technical training at the college for each year of your apprenticeship. The techncial training will provide you with additional theory and skills necessary to prepare you for your journeyperson examination. See our training schedule for more information. Another pre-requisite to becoming an apprentice is to ensure you have the appropriate level of secondary school education. Many trades require a grade 12 graduation with a minimum of grade 11 math and sciences. For more information on these pre-requisites read further under
Educational pre-requisites for Apprenticeship.

Entry Level Trades Training

If you are having difficulty securing work in the industry many students enroll in a full-time Entry Level Trades Training (ELTT) program before entering into an apprenticeship. As an ELTT grad, you are more attractive to an employer because you already have the basic skills needed to be productive on the job site.

An ELTT program can run from 13 weeks to 10 months in duration depending on the trade. Upon successful completion of the program and after securing employment with an employer, you will receive credit for your first level of apprenticeship technical training in that trade.  You may also be eligible for some workbased hours towards your apprenticeship. Once you become a registered apprentice you will return to OC for technical training once a year until the apprenticeship is completed.

Okanagan College offers a number of ELTT programs that ladder into apprenticeship training. Plans are underway to expand ELTT offerings to include other construction trades.
For more information on the ELTT courses select http://www.okanagan.bc.ca/trades