Overview
There are two apprenticeship paths for the Automotive Collision and Refinishing Apprenticeship, with differing levels of technical training required for each. The two apprentice programs are:
- Auto Body and Collision Technician
- Automotive Refinishing Technician
The program
The structure of the Automotive Collision and Refinishing apprentice programs is common training for Level 1, followed by trade-specific training. Apprentices register in their trade with SkilledTradesBC and attend the required common and trade-specific technical training at BCIT, depending on their pathway.
The technical training levels that are required for completion in each of the apprenticeship programs are as follows:
Auto Body and Collision Technician
Level 1 Automotive Collision and Refinishing Common Core
Level 2, 3, 4 Auto Body and Collision Technician
Automotive Refinishing Technician
Level 1 Automotive Collision and Refinishing Common Core
Level 2 Automotive Refinishing Technician
Please see the web pages for each individual apprenticeship program for the time learning on the job, number of years, and further details required to complete certification in each of the specific trades.
Please visit the SkilledTradesBC website for more detailed information.
Harmonized Automotive Collision and Refinishing Apprenticeship
Due to the Pan-Canadian Harmonization Initiative, apprentices beginning Level 1 after April 2021 will be required to complete their levels in the harmonized program.
Harmonized apprentice levels will be scheduled as follows:
| Level: | Program: | Intakes will be offered after: |
|---|---|---|
| Level 1 | Automotive Collision and Refinishing Common Core | April 1, 2021 |
| Level 2 | Auto Body and Collision Technician
Automotive Refinishing Technician |
April 1, 2022 |
| Level 3 | Auto Body and Collision Technician | April 1, 2023 |
| Level 4 | Auto Body and Collision Technician | April 1, 2024 |
Current Motor Vehicle Body Repair Technician apprentices will have the following options to complete their training.
Option 1: complete the current program
Current apprentices are encouraged to complete each level of training in their current stream as follows:
- Level 1 by April 2021
- Level 2 by April 2022
- Level 3 by April 2023
Option 2: transition from the current stream to the harmonized stream
Current apprentices that need to transition to the harmonized trade will need to complete GAP training in Level 2. GAP training is two days.
Entrance Requirements
Pathways
The Automotive Collision and Refinishing Common Core Level program is a direct entry pathway to level 2 of the Auto Body and Collision Technician or Automotive Refinishing Technician apprentice programs. Employment and sponsorship with an employer within the Automotive and Refinishing trade will need to be secured prior to entering into the program.Entrance requirements
You must be an active apprentice registered with SkilledTradesBC to register for apprenticeship training at BCIT.
Recommended for success
Grade 10 education or equivalent*, including:
- English 10 or English language proficiency
- Any Math 10
- Science 10
*High school graduation is preferred.
Apprentices with medical or physical difficulties should contact Accessibility Services to arrange an interview with the Institute’s rehabilitation specialist.
International applicants
BCIT welcomes apprentice training requests from Canadian citizens and permanent residents only. View programs that accept international students
Scheduled Intakes
Multiple start dates each year.
Please refer to the Apprenticeship Training Schedule for availability of upcoming intakes.
Register for Apprentice Training
To register for apprentice training:
- Consult the training schedule to find a date that is suitable to both you and your employer.
- Create your BCIT ID if you don’t already have one.
- Register by phone or email.
- Pay the $200 commitment fee.
Disclosure of personal information & privacy notice
BCIT Apprentice Services reserves the right to communicate with SkilledTradesBC and your active employer sponsor about your registration, progress, and related academic information. BCIT also shares apprentice registration information with Work BC. If you have questions about the protection of your personal information, you may contact the BCIT Information Access and Privacy Office.
myCommunication
Within two business days of submitting your apprentice training request, BCIT will send a message to your personal and myBCIT e-mail addresses. All correspondence regarding your training request will be posted to your online myCommunication account at my.bcit.ca. We'll send you an e-mail when a new message is posted. It's important to watch for these e-mails or regularly check your account online.
You can expect to receive communication concerning the status of your training request within four weeks.
Costs & Supplies
Tuition fees
Use our tuition estimator to find tuition and fees for this program.
For more information on tuition and fees, visit Apprenticeship Training Tuition & Fees.
Books & supplies
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.
There is an approved book list for the Motor Vehicle Body Repair Technician apprenticeship. These books are available at the BCIT Bookstore on the Burnaby campus.
Financial assistance
Income support for apprentices is provided by Human Resource Development Canada (HRDC) through regular Employment Insurance (EI) eligibility. For questions regarding Employment Insurance or Personal Support Payments, please visit the income support overview for current BCIT apprentices.
Courses
Class hours
0630-1430, Monday to Thursday
Please refer to the Apprenticeship Training Schedule for class hours and availability of upcoming intakes.
Program matrix
| Level 1 (7 weeks) | Credits | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| AACR 1GAP | Automotive Collision & Refinishing Common Core Level 1 Apprentice Final Grade - Harmonized Trade | 14.0 | |
| Total Credits: | 14.0 | ||
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
Level 1 of the Automotive Collision and Refinishing Common Core is 7 weeks and 210 in-school hours.
The number of levels of technical training and amount of in-school training hours for Automotive Collision and Refinishing Apprenticeship varies by program. Please see the specific apprentice programs for their training requirements:
Grading
The minimum passing grade is 70%.
Program delivery
Blended: This program is delivered partly on campus and partly online.
Program location
Burnaby Campus
3700 Willingdon Avenue
Burnaby, BC
Contact Us
BCIT Apprentice Services
For more information on this or other apprenticeship programs, tuition fees and when programs are offered, please contact BCIT Apprentice Services at:
Office Location: Building SW1, First Floor
Burnaby campusPhone: 604-456-8100
1-800-667-0676 (BC)Fax: 604-435-1197 On the web: bcit.ca/apprenticeship
BCIT Apprentice Services can assist apprentices with their registration, tuition fee payments, and other details.
Anyone interested in registering as an apprentice can contact SkilledTradesBC at 778-328-8700 or 1-866-660-6011 (BC). BCIT's Apprentice Services can also assist individuals interested in entering apprentice training.
Questions or comments?
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