Overview
The BCIT Automotive Service Technician and Operations co-operative education diploma program prepares students to become skilled technicians who can diagnose and repair the sophisticated systems in today's vehicles.
Please note: the Automotive Service Technician and Operations diploma program is currently undergoing a program review that may lead to curriculum changes starting in Fall 2025.
About the program
The Automotive Service Technician and Operations (ASTO) program is comprised of four hands-on, technical training terms with two paid 22-week co-op work terms in an automotive repair facility.
Who it’s for
This program offers maximum career flexibility, enabling graduates to pursue their Automotive Service Technician Red Seal certification with the option for post-diploma baccalaureate pathways in business administration and technology management. It is also for those with an interest in automotive, but who aspire to run their own business or assume customer service and management positions in the industry.
What grads can do
Upon successful completion of the program, students will receive an Automotive Service Technician and Operations Diploma and qualify for credit towards all four levels of technical training requirements in the Provincial Automotive Service Technician Apprenticeship program.
Entrance Requirements
Application processing
Applications are accepted throughout the year.
Entrance requirements
Applicants must meet all entrance requirements and will be accepted on a first qualified basis as long as space remains. When available intakes are full, qualified applicants are wait-listed.
If you are uncertain or don’t meet the requirements, we strongly recommend you complete any applicable Trades Entry Assessments before applying.
- English language proficiency: one of the following:
- Category 3 – English Studies 12 (50%) or equivalent or
- BCIT English Trades Entry Assessment
- Math: one of the following:
- Pre-Calculus 11 (50%) or
- Foundations of Math 11 (50%) or
- Workplace Math 11 (50%) or
- Other acceptable BC and Yukon courses or
- BCIT Math Trades Entry Assessment
- BCIT Mechanical Reasoning Trades Entry Assessment
- Complete the following form for submission with your online application:
Read more about how to meet BCIT’s entrance requirements
International applicants
International applicants must complete the following steps:
- Meet the above entrance requirements and submit your application.
- Receive notice of conditional acceptance to the program.
- Complete ACES – 0100 Applied Technical Literacy (70%) prior to program start. BCIT Admissions will enrol you in this course and communicate the details in your conditional acceptance letter.
Recommended for success
High school graduation is recommended by SkilledTradesBC. Please refer to the SkilledTradesBC website for current apprenticeship prerequisite information.
A driver’s licence is strongly recommended in order to move vehicles in and out of the shops.
Knowledge and background in the industry is an asset.
Applicants are encouraged to attend an Automotive Information Session for additional Apprenticeship and program details.
Applicants with medical or physical disabilities should contact Accessibility Services to arrange an interview.
Trades Discovery
The Trades Discovery General and Trades Discovery for Women are full-time programs designed to prepare participants to successfully enter and complete a Trades Training program.
International applicants
This program is available to international applicants.
Study permit: A valid BCIT study permit is required prior to starting the program.
Students enrolled in this program must complete the mandatory work component to qualify for graduation. A co-op work permit is required prior to starting the work component.
Apply to program
To submit your application:
- Include proof of meeting all entrance requirements.
- Convert all transcripts and supporting documents to PDF files.
- Have a credit card ready to pay the application fee.
Apply Now
Scheduled Intakes
January and July each year
*Scheduled intakes are subject to change.
myCommunication
Within two business days of submitting your completed application, BCIT will send a message to your personal and myBCIT email addresses. All correspondence regarding your application will be posted to your online myCommunication account at my.bcit.ca. We will send you an email when a new message is posted. It is important to watch for these emails or regularly check your account online.
You can expect to receive communication concerning the status of your application within four weeks.
Advanced Placement
Conditions
You may be eligible to apply to an advanced level of the program through direct entry. Please note that applications are considered based on:
- Complete applications: you must show proof that you have completed (or are registered in) all requirements to be considered.
- Competitive entry: if the number of applicants exceeds available seats, BCIT will accept those deemed to have the best opportunity for success.
- Seat availability: confirmation may not be available until approximately one week before the term begins.
Direct entry
Note: If you plan to obtain the Ford Technician Certification, do not apply for advanced placement. You must apply to Level 1 of the Ford Asset Option.
If you have previously completed an Automotive Technician Foundation program, you may be eligible to apply for direct entry to the Automotive Service Technician and Operations Diploma at an advanced level.
Applications are accepted throughout the year.
Submit the following with your online application:
- Proof of meeting all general entrance requirements
- Proof of completion of one of the following programs:
- Automotive Technician Foundation
- Automotive Technician Toyota Foundation
- Automotive Technician Honda/Acura Foundation
- Equivalent Automotive Technician Foundation program from a recognized institution
- Automotive Technician Youth Train in Trades (formerly ACE-IT) program for BC high school students
- Proof of completion of the SkilledTradesBC Automotive Service Technician 1 Certificate of Qualification Exam with a minimum of 70%
Ready to submit your application? Apply now.
Questions? Review the Admissions FAQ or contact Program Advising.
Costs & Supplies
Tuition fees
Use our tuition estimator to find tuition and fees for this program.
For more information on full-time tuition and fees, visit:
Books & supplies
| Level 1: | $970 |
| Level 2: | $590 |
| Level 3: | $280 |
| Level 4: | $280 |
(general estimated cost, subject to change)
CSA approved safety glasses and footwear required. Footwear must be steel-toed, leather, ankle covering boots.
Students are required to supply their own coveralls. A supply of coveralls are available through the BCIT Bookstore. Please check the uniform authorization voucher [PDF] to determine the type of coveralls required for your program.
Financial assistance
Financial assistance may be available for this program. For more information, please contact Student Financial Aid and Awards.
Courses
Class hours
0730–1400, Monday through Friday
Scheduling of academic courses may require some courses to be scheduled outside of the established hours.
Program matrix
| Term 1 (13 weeks) | Credits | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| ASTO 1001 | Automotive Science Fundamentals | 2.0 | |
| ASTO 1002 | Employment Preparation and SkilledTradesBC Level 1 Standardized Level Exam Preparation | 2.0 | |
| ASTO 1020 | Workplace Safety | 1.0 | |
| ASTO 1021 | Welding | 1.0 | |
| ASTO 1022 | Tools and Equipment | 2.0 | |
| ASTO 1023 | Wheels, Hubs, Tires, and Bearings | 2.5 | |
| ASTO 1024 | Brake Systems | 3.0 | |
| ASTO 1025 | Suspension Systems | 2.0 | |
| ASTO 1026 | Steering Systems | 3.0 | |
| ASTO 1027 | Basic Electrical Systems | 4.0 | |
| ASTO 1028 | General Automotive Maintenance | 2.0 | |
| ASTO 1029 | Driveshafts | 1.5 | |
| Co-op 1 (22 weeks) | Credits | ||
| ASTO 1990 | Co-op Work Term 1 | 22.0 | |
| Term 2 (12 weeks) | Credits | ||
| ASTO 2001 | Automotive Science Mechanical Applications | 2.5 | |
| ASTO 2002 | Customer Relations and Sales | 2.0 | |
| ASTO 2003 | Automotive Business Practices | 2.0 | |
| ASTO 2010 | SkilledTradesBC Level 2 Standardized Level Exam Preparation | 1.0 | |
| ASTO 2020 | Starting, Charging, and Advanced Electrical Systems | 3.5 | |
| ASTO 2021 | Electronic Chassis Systems | 2.0 | |
| ASTO 2022 | Engine Repair and Support Systems | 6.0 | |
| ASTO 2023 | Manual Transmission, Transfer Case, and Differentials | 5.0 | |
| Term 3 (12 weeks) | Credits | ||
| ASTO 3001 | Automotive Science Clean Air Technology | 2.0 | |
| ASTO 3002 | Automotive Communications | 2.5 | |
| ASTO 3003 | Automotive Business Operations | 3.0 | |
| ASTO 3010 | SkilledTradesBC Level 3 Standardized Level Exam Preparation | 1.0 | |
| ASTO 3020 | Electrical and Electronic Systems | 3.0 | |
| ASTO 3021 | Electronic Ignition Systems | 2.0 | |
| ASTO 3022 | Fuel Delivery Systems | 3.5 | |
| ASTO 3023 | Gasoline Engine Management Systems | 3.0 | |
| ASTO 3024 | Emission Control Systems | 2.5 | |
| ASTO 3025 | Networking Systems | 1.5 | |
| Co-op 2 (22 weeks) | Credits | ||
| ASTO 3990 | Co-op Work Term 2 | 22.0 | |
| Term 4 (12 weeks) | Credits | ||
| ASTO 4001 | Automotive Science Advanced | 2.0 | |
| ASTO 4003 | Automotive Business Management | 3.0 | |
| ASTO 4010 | SkilledTradesBC Level 4 Standardized Level Exam Preparation | 1.0 | |
| ASTO 4020 | Advanced Feature Group | 2.0 | |
| ASTO 4021 | Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning Systems | 3.0 | |
| ASTO 4023 | All-Wheel Drive Systems | 2.0 | |
| ASTO 4024 | Automatic Transmissions | 5.0 | |
| ASTO 4025 | Diesel Fuel Management and Emissions | 2.0 | |
| ASTO 4026 | Hybrid and Electric Vehicle Technology | 3.5 | |
| Total Credits: | 141.5 | ||
Transfer credit
Do you have credits from another BC/Yukon post-secondary school? Do you want to know if they transfer to courses here at BCIT? Check out BCIT's Transfer Equivalency Database to find out.
Program Details
Program length
Two years (93 weeks), full-time
Term 1: 13 weeks in school, 22 weeks co-op
Term 2: 12 weeks in school
Term 3: 12 weeks in school, 22 weeks optional co-op
Term 4: 12 weeks in school
Grading
All courses must be passed in order to complete the program. The minimum passing grade for each course is indicated on the course outline.
Program delivery
In person: This program is delivered on campus.
Program location
Burnaby Campus
3700 Willingdon Avenue
Burnaby, BC
SkilledTradesBC
BCIT transfers the student's name, contact information, Personal Education Number (PEN), and the name and date of the completed Foundation program to SkilledTradesBC. This information is used for the purposes of tracking successful completions in order to grant credit towards apprenticeship where applicable, and communicating with trainees to promote continuation in an apprenticeship program.Co-operative education
This is a cooperative education program that combines academic terms with paid cooperative work terms. Cooperative education is not an option but an integral part of this program, subject to the same performance criteria as the program itself.
While co-op coordinators assist with job placements for students, it must be recognized that during certain periods of the business cycle, job placements may be difficult to find. It is then the responsibility of the student to work with the coordinator (and on his/her own) to find a meaningful work experience.
The complete cooperative education policy including student, Institute and employer responsibilities is available through the Centre for Workplace Education (Co-op) office and the Registrar's Office.
For more information, please visit the Centre for Workplace Education (Co-op), located in Building NW5 at the Burnaby campus.Co-op coordinator: 604-432-8291
General Inquiries: 604-432-8634
Graduating & Jobs
Continue your education
Graduates of this program may continue their studies to complete the BCIT Bachelor of Technology (BTech) in Technology Management. The BTech program provides you with the flexibility to start your new career and complete your degree part-time within 3 to 5 years.
Graduate employment outcomes
The BCIT student outcomes report presents summary findings from the annual survey of former students administered by BC Stats one to two years after graduation. These reports combine the last three years of available results for the 2021-2023 BCIT Outcomes Surveys of 2020-2022 graduates and for Degree 2019-2021 graduates. The reports are organized into three-page summaries containing information on graduates’ labour market experiences and opinions regarding their education. More detailed information can be accessed at the BC Student Outcomes website.
To view these results, you may need to have the Adobe Acrobat Reader installed in your Web browser.
Subscribe
Sign up to receive updates, invitations to events, and information about BCIT and your program.
We promise not to spam you, we won’t share your personal information, and you can unsubscribe at any time.
Programs and courses are subject to change without notice.