Overview
Automotive technicians test, repair and service automobile systems. They employ critical and rational thinking in diagnosing mechanical and electrical systems on modern vehicles. Automotive technicians disassemble, inspect and service engines, cooling systems, transmissions, drivelines, brake systems, suspension and steering systems. The BCIT School of Transportation has partnered with Honda Canada to deliver Honda and Acura brand specific training alongside the Provincial curriculum outlined by SkilledTradesBC.
The program
This program provides you the knowledge and practical skills needed for entry into the
automotive industry. Once graduated, you may pursue a career as a general repair technician or choose to specialize in one of the many emerging careers within the automotive industry.
Partnership with Honda Canada provides the opportunity to have several work practicums throughout the duration of this program. Work practicums allow for real world learning and lets you network and explore employment opportunities with Honda and Acura dealerships.
Successful students receive credit for their first level of Automotive Service Technician apprentice technical training from SkilledTradesBC and credit for 450 work-based training (WBT) hours towards time in trade.
Entrance Requirements
Application processing
Applications are accepted throughout the year.
Entrance requirements
This program has a two-step admission process. 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.
Step 1: Pre-entry assessment
Applicants must complete a pre-entry assessment form to have their experience and interest assessed by the program area.
Submit your completed Mandatory Applicant Questionnaire [PDF] to auto-foundation@bcit.ca. Once your pre-entry assessment form has been signed by the program area, you can upload it and submit your online application.
Step 2: Meet the following entrance requirements
Applicants must meet all entrance requirements prior to applying to this program. 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:
- Foundations of Math and Pre-Calculus 10 (50%) or
- Workplace Math 10 (50%) or
- Other acceptable BC and Yukon courses or
- BCIT Math Trades Entry Assessment
- Complete the following form for submission with your online application:
- Program Acknowledgement Form [PDF]
To acknowledge the program is taught at multiple locations, travel requirements, and a driver's licence is required
- Program Acknowledgement Form [PDF]
Recommended for success
Potential students with medical or physical disabilities should contact Accessibility Services to arrange an interview with the institute's rehabilitation specialist at 604-451-6963 (telephone interview is acceptable for out-of-town applicants).
International applicants
This program is not available to international students. View available programs.
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
September each year
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
Use our tuition estimator to find tuition and fees for this program.
For more information on full-time tuition fees, visit Full-Time Studies Tuition & Fees.
Books & supplies
$615 (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.
Courses
Class hours
0730–1400, Monday through Friday
Program matrix
| Required Courses: | Credits | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| AUTO 1500 | Workplace Safety | 2.0 | |
| AUTO 1501 | Employment Readiness | 2.0 | |
| AUTO 1502 | Tools and Equipment | 4.0 | |
| AUTO 1503 | Electrical and Electronic Systems | 9.0 | |
| AUTO 1504 | Wheels, Hubs, and Tires | 5.0 | |
| AUTO 1505 | Welding | 2.0 | |
| AUTO 1506 | Brake Systems | 8.0 | |
| AUTO 1507 | Suspension Systems | 6.0 | |
| AUTO 1508 | Steering Systems | 8.0 | |
| AUTO 1509 | Principles of Internal Combustion Engines | 4.0 | |
| AUTO 1510 | General Automotive Maintenance | 8.0 | |
| AUTO 1511 | Work Practicum | 2.0 | |
| AUTO 1512 | Driveshafts and Axles | 2.0 | |
| Total Credits: | 62.0 | ||
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
32 weeks, full-time
Grading
All of the following conditions must be achieved in order to successfully complete the program:
- Minimum passing grade of 70% is required for each course.
- Must maintain a minimum of 90% attendance for each course to be eligible for the course final exam.
Program delivery
Blended: This program is delivered partly on campus and partly online.
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 Automotive Service Technician apprenticeship where applicable, and communicating with trainees to promote continuation in an apprenticeship program.
Graduating & Jobs
Job opportunities
Throughout British Columbia and Canada, there is a serious shortage of skilled and certified automotive technicians who are specialized in Asian vehicles. As a result, independent Honda and Acura dealers are seeking trained apprentices. Job placement prospects are currently good and there is high probability that you will have a job waiting for you when you graduate.
Salaries
The median salary for our graduates is in the range of $2,000 per month. Graduates who go on to complete their apprenticeship training may earn approximately $50,000 per year. Graduates can aspire to top industry positions with salaries in the $60,000-plus range per year.
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.