Studio Woodworking Certificate

Train in the necessary skills required to become a cabinetmaker (joiner) in this program blend of woodworking and art. Courses include learning the design and manufacturing processes of wood products, from assembling furniture to making cabinets. 

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Studio Woodworking students measures materials on a saw table

Campus

  • Kelowna
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Legend:
  • Full program offered
  • Partial program offered

Credential

Certificate

Delivery options

Full-Time

Tuition and fees

2023-24: $7,153.72

  • Fees include all mandatory fees: Activity fee, Health & Dental, Student Association fee, Education Technology fee, Development fee.

  • This program is not eligible for the Senior rate.

  • All amounts are approximate and are subject to change.

  • Detailed domestic tuition and fees information

Program details

If you have any questions about how a course or program is delivered, you can check the Trades website, email the Department Chair or email the Trades & Apprenticeship office:

Apprenticeship: apprenticeship@okanagan.bc.ca
Foundation and General Interest: trades@okanagan.bc.ca
The Studio Woodworking Certificate Program is a 38-week (1140 hours) full-time study of woodworking from the craftsperson's perspective. With a primary focus on furniture, the program will offer a range of woodworking skill sets that can be adapted to any of the many disciplines within the Cabinetmaker/Joiner trade. Inasmuch as this program's focus is 'Art' as well as 'Industry', the range of knowledge covered within this program will enable the successful student to acquire meaningful employment in a range of 'studio' or 'custom' environments with confidence, whether self-employed or working for others. Those successful students who wish to continue in a traditional apprenticeship will be granted level one apprenticeship technical training credit and 450 work-based hours in the Cabinetmaker/Joiner trade by SkilledTradesBC.
The range of topics taught includes a history of the trade, design basics, an understanding of the materials, safe work practices, hand and machine skills, and joinery techniques. They also include more advanced techniques such as design and creating curved parts, veneer, inlay, marquetry and banding. Basic Computer Numeric Control (CNC) machining will be explored. Wood finishing from simple hand rubbed to advanced spray booth techniques will be practiced. Students will also be introduced to portfolio and promotion concepts, including photography of product, and how to interact with clients. Students will design and build a final project from concept to promotion. A public exhibit at the conclusion of the program will spotlight the students' achievements and provide a showcase for their work.

Supplies required for students in the Studio Woodworking program:

  • Binder
  • 2H-4H-HB pencils, pens, erasers
  • Calculator
  • Lock for locker
  • CSA-approved work boots with steel toes
  • CSA-approved safety glasses (clear only)
  • Staedtler-Mars Architect’s Scale (model # 987-18-31)
  • Geometry set

Required tools

Below is a small list of edge tools. It is recommended that you purchase these items before the program starts. If you already own a chisel set and water stones, you are welcome to bring them. There will be lockable storage for your personal tools if you have them.

The part numbers are all Lee Valley catalogue numbers:

  • Water stone 800x grit #60M01.01 - $65.50
  • Water stone 8000x grit #60M10.01 - $78.50
  • Five piece chisel set #44S01.22 - $122.00    
  • Jack plane iron #05P34.73 - $49.50

5% GST is not included in price. Price is subject to change.

There is also a materials fee of $300 to cover hardwoods and veneer.

Required textbooks and learning materials will be provided.

Government-issued picture ID is required to write the provincial and national exams: driver's licence, photo ID or valid passport. Student ID cards are not acceptable.

Applicants who have not satisfied the Math admission requirement within the last seven years, and/or do not meet the English admission requirement, must write the TEA Math and/or English test. Both of the assessments are online, multiple-choice and timed. Applicants are allotted 1 hour to complete each section (2 hours for both). A practice assessment and study resources are offered to all applicants who register to write the TEA.  Calculators are not allowed while completing the Math section; applicants who are observed to use a calculator of any sort will receive a grade of zero.  Applicants who do not achieve the minimum passing requirement on their initial attempt, are offered a second attempt at no additional cost after a two-week study period. 

Please ensure you write the assessment, and any required re-writes, prior to the deadline for admissions requirements provided by the Registrar’s office. For more information or to register for the Trades Entrance Assessment, click here. Further questions can be directed to the Trades and Apprenticeship office at trades@okanagan.bc.ca.

Please note: Applicants who successfully completed the ABLE test at Okanagan College within the two years prior to application for admission shall have their results accepted as equivalent to the Trades Entrance Assessment. 

The textbook list above was current at the time it was posted and may be used for initial planning purposes. Please check back with the bookstore 2 weeks before your program starts under Current Book List for a final, updated list of book titles and prices, and to order!

Textbooks available online only at OC Campus Store. If you have any questions, call 250-862-5638 or email campusstores@okanagan.bc.ca.

It takes approximately two to three business days to fill the online orders, please be sure to purchase the necessary items prior to the 1st day of class.

StudioWoodworkingCertificate

Admission requirements

  • B.C. Secondary school graduation or equivalent, or 19 years of age and out of secondary school for one year as of the first day of classes.
  • English 10 with minimum 50% or alternatives.
  • Math requirement:

    • A minimum of 50% in any of:

      • Apprenticeship and Workplace Mathematics Grade 10

      • Workplace Mathematics 10

      • Foundations of Mathematics and Pre-Calculus Grade 10

      • Mathematics 10

      • Adult Basic Education MATH 071 and MATH 072

    • The Trades Entrance Assessment (TEA) mathematics test scores are only good for two (2) years.
      • Applicants who have not satisfied the Math requirement within the last seven (7) years must write the TEA Mathematics test and must receive a minimum of 50%.

Program outline

STWW 101 - Safe Work Practices
STWW 102 - Organizational Skills
STWW 103 - Materials
STWW 104 - Hand Tools
STWW 105 - Portable Power Tools
STWW 106 - Woodworking Machines
STWW 107 - Assemble Products
STWW 108 - Apply a Finish
STWW 109 - Specialty Techniques
STWW 110 - Professional Presentation and Portfolio
STWW 111 - Final Exam
  • Completion of all courses in the program with a minimum grade of 70% in each.
Additional information

View the official Calendar details and policies
Learn more about the department
View the Tuition and fees page

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