There are a number of physical activities involved in training for a skilled trade, please review the physical activities of the program and the recommended student characteristics as listed below. Okanagan College strives to make all learning experiences as accessible as possible. If you anticipate or experience disability related academic barriers (including mental health, chronic or temporary medical conditions), please contact Accessibility Services at your campus so that you can privately discuss options.

Physical activities of the trade:

• Activities require lifting and carrying tools, supplies, materials and equipment weighing up to 50 lbs.
• Lift, carry, hold and operate hand, air and power tools from floor to above shoulders
• Stand on concrete and asphalt for extended periods of time
• Not limited to drilling, cutting, filing, sanding, sewing, painting, riveting, shearing, hammering, shoring, jacking, sawing, nailing, lifting, sweeping, cleaning, and towing large aircraft.
• Learn and work in both indoor and outdoor venues, through all seasonal challenges
• Activities may be required to work in awkward, uncomfortable positions for extended periods of time.
• Use of solvents, cleaners, paints, adhesives
• Working around loud, moving aircraft
• Working at heights that exceed 6 feet

Recommended student characteristics:

• Good general health and respiratory condition
• Strength and stamina to handle physical work
• Ability to tolerate loud noise and vibration from riveting tools
• Ability to work around loud, moving aircraft
• Comfortable working at heights exceeding 6 feet. 
• Good manual dexterity to manipulate small nuts, bolts, fittings, and components
• Eye sight; must be correctable to 20/20 with good line, form and depth perception.
• Good manual dexterity.
• Good hand-eye coordination.
• Hearing; able to work in a hazardous environment and recognize the dangers of jet engines running and propeller driven aircraft dangers recognizable by sound, as well be able to communicate complicated instructions in high noise environments.
• Demonstrate an attitude of safety in the workplace at all times
   

Textbooks and supplies required for students taking the Carpenter Foundation program (total $628.57):

• Carpenter 3rd Canadian Edition by Vogt and Nauth - $188.29
• Carpentry Level 1 Modules - $162.00
• Concrete Formwork – 5th Edition (optional) - $131.79
• 2018 BC Building Code Book - $146.49 

5% GST is not included in price. Price is subject to change. Textbooks available at OC Campus Store by contacting 250-762-5445 ext. 4586 or ordering online.

Other required supplies include:

• CSA-approved hard hat (not white)
• CSA-approved work boots with steel toes (approx. $100-150)
• Hi-vis safety vest, required once work commences outdoors. Please wait until after the class starts before purchasing a vest
• Binder
• Pencils, pens, erasers
• One of the following: Sharp EL-520W, EL-520X, EL-531X calculator
• Government issued picture ID is required to write the provincial and national exams: driver’s licence, photo ID or valid passport. Student card is not acceptable
• Locker lock

OC will supply eye and ear protection 

Required hand tools:

• Tool pouch
• Hammer
• Chalk line (red or blue chalk)
• 25-foot imperial tape measure (may be combination imperial/metric)
• 8-metre metric tape measure (may be combination imperial/metric)
• Geometry set
• Staedtler architect’s metric scale (model # 987-18-SI)
• Utility knife and blades
• Nail claw bar
• Stair gauges
• Three-quarter-inch chisel
• Small square

The above tools are required for the program but there is no requirement to have them on the first day. Your instructor will review this list on the first day of class.

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.