Overview
Launch your aerospace career with BCIT’s Aircraft Gas Turbine Technician program! This 38-week, hands-on program—60% practical training—is the only one of its kind in Western Canada. Learn to inspect, repair, and overhaul turbine engines at our Richmond Aerospace Campus, preparing you for high-demand roles in aviation. Apply now!
Aircraft Gas Turbine Technician program
Are you passionate about aviation and curious about the mechanics behind powerful turbine engines? BCIT’s Aircraft Gas Turbine Technician program is your pathway to a hands-on, exciting career in the aerospace industry. Offering a mix of theory and practical training, this program equips you with the specialized skills you need to become a highly sought-after turbine engine technician. This full-time program spans 38 weeks beginning in September 2025. The delivery format is blended, with the majority on-campus with some online components. On-campus sessions will be held at the Aerospace Technology Campus in Richmond, with classes running Monday to Friday from 08:00 to 15:30.
About the program
BCIT’s Aircraft Gas Turbine Technician program is the only one of its kind in Western Canada, offering an incredible opportunity to train for a high-demand career in the aerospace industry. With 60% hands-on training in BCIT’s specialized shops and hangar, you’ll gain real-world experience working on turbine engines. Designed in collaboration with the gas turbine engine overhaul industry, the program ensures you’re equipped with the skills and certifications needed to meet industry standards.
As a Gas Turbine Engine Technician, you’ll play a key role in inspecting, repairing, and overhauling sophisticated turbine engines. In this program, you’ll learn how to repair, rebuild, balance, and test critical engine components, preparing you for the high-responsibility work of maintaining aircraft engines. With access to a variety of turbine engines, specialized tools, and expert instructors, you’ll develop the expertise needed to excel in this challenging field.
Graduating from this program opens the door to advanced training and a fulfilling career in the dynamic, ever-evolving field of gas turbine technology. The skills you gain here will give you exciting opportunities to grow and advance in the aerospace industry.
Who should apply
Our program is designed for anyone interested in turbine engines and a hands-on career, no matter your background. You don’t need previous experience to apply, although basic hand tool experience is helpful. Whether you’re just starting out or transitioning from another career, we welcome students of all ages and from all over the world.
If you’re mechanically inclined, detail-oriented, and excited about working in a high-tech, fast-paced industry, this program could be the perfect fit for you.
What grads can do
Graduates of the Aircraft Gas Turbine Technician program are well-prepared for a range of careers in the aviation and resource sectors. Past graduates have found employment in repair and overhaul shops across Canada as well as field service work for various employers.
Begin your journey into this exciting field by applying to BCIT’s Aircraft Gas Turbine Technician program today.
For more information
Discover the answers to your burning questions by watching the video below, where a recent information session has been recorded:
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.
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:
- Category 3 – English Studies 12 (50%) or equivalent or
- BCIT English Trades Entry Assessment
- Math: one of the following:
- Pre-Calculus 11 (60%) or
- Foundations of Math 11 (60%) or
- Workplace Math 11 (60%) or
- Other acceptable BC and Yukon courses or
- BCIT Math Trades Entry Assessment
Recommended for success
- Drafting
- General Mechanics 11, or Automotive Mechanics 11, or Technical Education 11, or Physics 11
- Complex disassembly and assembly procedures require good manual dexterity and mechanical reasoning
- Extensive use of technical manuals requires strong reading comprehension skills
- Good colour vision
- An interest in mechanics
International applicants
This program is available to international applicants. A valid study permit is required prior to starting the program.
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
For more information about upcoming intakes, please contact GasTurbineTech@bcit.ca.
June 2024 and September 2025 intakes*:
- Open to both domestic and international applicants
*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.
Costs & Supplies
Tuition fees
Domestic students
Tuition is free for upcoming intakes until April 2024. Funding is provided by the Government of Canada.
International students
Tuition is assessed at the regular international rate. See the International Tuition & Fees page for more information.
Books & supplies
$1,362*
(general estimated cost, subject to change)
*Domestic students: Funding provided for upcoming intakes until April 2024 includes the cost of books and supplies.
Financial assistance
Financial assistance may be available for this program. For more information, please contact Student Financial Aid and Awards.
Courses
Class hours
0800–1530, Monday through Friday
Program matrix
| Term 1 (16 weeks) | Credits | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| AVGT 1001 | Engine Shop Practices | 15.0 | |
| AVGT 1006 | Turbine Engine Theory, Construction and Systems | 15.0 | |
| AVGT 1011 | Precision Measuring Instruments* | 1.0 | |
| AVGT 1016 | Compressor Blade Inspection and Repair* | 1.0 | |
| Term 2 (16 weeks) | Credits | ||
| AVGT 2002 | Repair and Overhaul Practices1 | 15.0 | |
| AVGT 2004 | Repair and Overhaul Practices2 | 15.0 | |
| AVGT 2012 | Turbine Engine Borescope Inspection* | 1.0 | |
| AVGT 2014 | Turbine Engine Bearing Inspection* | 1.0 | |
| Term 3 (6 weeks) | Credits | ||
| AVGT 3001 | Operation, Testing and Certification | 11.0 | |
| AVGT 3011 | Turbine Engine Testing and Operation* | 1.0 | |
| ZATT 0000 | Attendance | ||
| *Upon successful completion of these badged courses, students will achieve the Gas Turbine Inspection Essentials microcredential. | |||
| Total Credits: | 76.0 | ||
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
38 weeks, full-time
Grading
Minimum course passing grade is 70%. Each course has a theory component and a practical component and both components must be passed with 70%. The official transcript will show an average of both marks, with a U or F (unsatisfactory or failed) if either component is not passed.
Course Failure and Program Continuation
If you fail a course during a term, you may re-register to repeat the course. However, if your second attempt is unsuccessful, you will be prohibited from continuing the term and must seek approval from the Associate Dean in order to be readmitted into the program.
Program delivery
In person: This program is delivered on campus.
Program location
Aerospace Technology Campus
3800 Cessna Drive
Richmond, BC
Aviation attendance policy
The attendance policies for all Aviation programs differ from other BCIT programs and are regulated by Transport Canada and/or Canadian Aviation Maintenance Council.
Graduating & Jobs
Job opportunities
The men and women who enter this career path find employment in power plant shops of larger airlines, as well as repair and overhaul shops of engine manufacturers and independent owners across Canada.
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.
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Programs and courses are subject to change without notice.