Overview
The Advanced Certificate in Automated Controls Installation and Maintenance (ACIM) will build upon the knowledge and skills evolved during an electrician apprenticeship or an engineer’s practical training and experience.
The increasing complexity of industrial automated control systems demands installation and maintenance people who are computer literate and who can communicate with co-workers who will often be, like themselves, working across disciplines. ACIM program graduates will be charged with doing installations and given considerable responsibility in the set-up and maintenance of industry-recognized equipment.
The program will be offered part-time, with the following time split:
- 50% lab and BCIT site activities
- 40% classroom
- 10% online, including troubleshooting simulator access, D2L quizzes and assignments, remote BCIT lab access, and research.
The program will incorporate a blend of traditional face-to-face instruction, problem-based learning, collaborative learning, and individual hands-on practical project assignments, as well as a strong laboratory component to foster experiential learning. Students in the program will be exposed to a very wide range of up-to-date equipment at BCIT.
Testimonial
“In full support of a strong electrical industry, ACIM is designed to give electrical students and practitioners specialized hands-on training experience they need to be leaders in the emerging field of automated controls. I am eager to see what BCIT’s advanced certificate program and our apprenticeship program can accomplish together.”
Endre “Andy” Cleven
Training Director (Emeritus)
Electrical Joint Training Committee (EJTC)
Entrance Requirements
The program allows students to take courses ACIM 5010, ACIM 5020, ACIM 5030, and 5040 for general interest without formal admission.
Application processing
This program is open to applications beginning:
- February 1st* for the January intake
- May 1st* for the April intake
- October 1st* for the September intake
Entrance requirements
This program has a two-step admission process. Applicants must meet all entrance requirements and will be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis as long as space remains.
Step 1: Pre-entry assessment
Applicants are required to complete the Pre-Entry Assessment form [PDF] to review their work experience and how they meet the entrance requirements.
Applicants that do not meet all entrance requirements may receive a study plan indicating required pre-entry courses.
The completed assessment form can be emailed to BCIT_ACIM@bcit.ca.
You can apply if you have had the assessment and have completed any necessary pre-entry courses. A completed Pre-Entry Assessment form from the program area must be uploaded to complete your application.
Step 2: Meet the following entrance requirements
- English language proficiency: one of the following:
- Category 3 – English Studies 12 (50%) or equivalent or
- BCIT English Trades Entry Assessment
- Entry options: one of the following:
Option 1:
- Interprovincial Red Seal qualified electrician
Option 2:
- Post-secondary: one of the following:
- Degree in electrical engineering or
- Diploma in electrical technology (power option) or
- Diploma in robotics technology or
- Diploma in industrial instrumentation technology
Please contact BCIT_ACIM@bcit.ca for questions about acceptable programs.
Applicants who have completed post-secondary studies outside of Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia or New Zealand will require a comprehensive evaluation of their credentials by the International Credential Evaluation Service (ICES). Credential evaluation reports from other Canadian services may be considered. These reports must include course-by-course evaluations and GPA calculations.
International applicants
This program is available to international applicants who currently have a valid status in Canada. 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
Ongoing Flexible Learning (Part-time Studies) intakes: January, April, and September.
Prior Learning Assessment & Recognition (PLAR)
Students who have applied to this program, have met the English requirement, and have already taken our flexible learning (part-time studies) courses, TELC 0186 - PLC Level 1, TELC 0182 - PLC Level 2 , and TELC 0183 - PLC Level 3, are eligible to write a challenge exam that may allow them to skip the first course, ACIM 5010 - Programmable Controllers, and possibly ACIM 5030 - Advanced PLC and HMI in Manufacturing, depending on their challenge exam score.
Costs & Supplies
Tuition fees
Flexible Learning (Part-time Studies) tuition is charged on a course-by-course basis. Please see the Flexible Learning Tuition & Fees page for more information on domestic and international tuitions.
Courses
Program matrix
Check current availability of courses for this program.
| Required Courses: | Credits | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| ACIM 5010 | Programmable Logic Controllers | 3.0 | |
| ACIM 5020 | Elements of Drafting and Renewable Energy Systems | 3.0 | |
| ACIM 5030 | Advanced Programmable Logic Controllers and Human Machine Interfaces in Manufacturing | 3.0 | |
| ACIM 5040 | Variable Frequency Drives and Servos | 3.0 | |
| ACIM 6010 | Introduction to Robotics | 3.0 | |
| ACIM 6020 | Safety Controls and Intrinsically Safe Systems | 3.0 | |
| ACIM 6030 | Process and Distributed Control Systems | 3.0 | |
| ACIM 6040 | Industrial Communication and Data Acquisition | 3.0 | |
| Total Credits: | 24.0 | ||
Check current availability of courses for this program.
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
Upon successful completion of the Advanced Certificate in Automated Controls Installation and Maintenance, graduates will be able to:
- Analyze electrical and electronic circuits at an intermediate level.
- Quantify typical energy transformations that occur in automated control systems.
- Program an automated machine tool to manufacture an object requiring multiple machining steps.
- Make drawings to integrate industrial control system electrical and electronic components.
- Specify the electrical codes, standards, practices, and requirements for the installation of electrical and electronic components of automated control systems while complying with manufacturers’ instructions.
- Use test instruments to diagnose automated control system problems.
- Set up communication equipment for remote and local monitoring and control of automated control systems while maintaining security perimeters.
- Provide support for commissioning and troubleshooting of automated control systems, including the calibration and programming of measurement and control devices.
- Use enterprise asset management system software to effectively and safely maintain a large-scale automated control system.
- Train system users in the operation of complex control systems; advise of hazards; stress safe operating procedures.
- Analyze automated control systems’ performance to make recommendations for optimization of process material and energy savings, and to increase production.
- Effectively and safely work with engineers, designers, and technical support people to install, calibrate, commission, modify, repair, and maintain automated control systems.
Program length
The maximum time to complete this program is seven years.
Program delivery
In person: This program is delivered on campus.
Program location
Burnaby Campus
3700 Willingdon Avenue
Burnaby, BC
Graduating & Jobs
Based on BC employment data, there are many employers who have hired and will hire our graduates from different sectors, such as manufacturing, utility plants, railway, shipbuilding, government, pulp and paper mills, oil and gas transport, and mining. The following companies have hired many electrician and electrical practitioners:
- Metro Vancouver
- Howe Sound Pulp and Paper
- BC Hydro
- Fortis BC
- BC Maritime Employers Association
- BC Ferries
- Coast Mountain Electric
- Crown Packaging
- International Forest Products
- Shell Canada
- Teck Resources Ltd.
- YVR
- IBEW Electrical Union
All the employers listed above will readily accept graduates of the advanced electrical training, which will respond to the increased demand for Industrial electrical workers. In addition, all employers will be interested in hiring graduates with these skill sets given the legal obligations regarding workers safety and environmental controls. Of course, the list above is not exhaustive. Dozens of other employers who engage in industrial automation maintenance and installation work would be in addition to the list.
Apply for graduation
Upon successful completion of all program requirements, complete an Application for BCIT Credential [PDF] and submit it to Student Information and Enrolment Services.
Allow approximately six to eight weeks for processing.
All financial obligations to the Institute must be met prior to issuance of any credential.
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