Overview
The Carpentry Framing and Forming Foundation trains students for entry-level employment in the carpentry trade. Basic theory and related information along with hands-on shop practice enable students to become competent in basic carpentry tasks.
Carpenters construct, renovate and repair residential, civil, institutional, commercial and industrial structures made of wood, steel, concrete and other materials. They can work for a wide array of employers, including new home builders and renovation firms, construction firms, building owners, property managers and tenants, building developers and government departments.
After receiving a general background in the carpentry trade, carpenters often specialize in specific areas of the trade such as:
- site preparation and layout
- concrete formwork and falsework
- wood or metal framing
- building stairs and railings
- interior and exterior finishing
- hanging doors and installing windows and cabinets
The Program
Visit the Courses page to view the program matrix and course descriptions for this program.
Upon successful completion of the program, students can seek employment as apprentices. The SkilledTradesBC has approved this program as meeting the technical training for Level 1 of the Carpentry Apprenticeship and 450 work-based hours credit toward their time in trade.
Carpenters must be able to work at heights and in adverse weather. Potential students with medical or physical difficulties should contact Accessibility Services to arrange an interview (telephone interview if out of town) with the Institute’s rehabilitation specialist at 604-451-6963.
Your Safety is our Priority!
Check out our Carpentry Safety Videos!
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.
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
Recommended for success
BCIT offers Trades Discovery programs designed to prepare participants to successfully enter a trades training program:
International applicants
This program is available to international applicants. A valid study permit is required prior to starting the program.
Please note that international students are not eligible to continue to an apprenticeship training program. To learn more about international student opportunities at BCIT, visit BCIT International.
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
Multiple start dates 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
Please see the Full-Time Studies Tuition & Fees page for full-time tuition fees.
Books & supplies
Students are expected to bring their CSA-approved steel-toed boots.
Cost of books/supplies: $1,255
(general estimated cost, and subject to change)
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.Program matrix
| Required Courses: | Credits | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| CARP 1202 | Carpentry Framing and Forming Foundation | 46.0 | |
| Total Credits: | 46.0 | ||
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
23 weeks, full-timeGrading
A minimum average grade of 70% and completion of all quizzes, exams and practical assignments is required to graduate.
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.Graduating & Jobs
Job Opportunities
Job opportunities exist in residential, commercial and industrial construction as well as maintenance in plants and other institutions. Qualified workers may go on to become self-employed or work as foremen or superintendents for other employers. More than half of the available job opportunities in the near future are expected to arise from the need to replace carpenters who retire.
Graduates may qualify for advanced standing as registered candidates within the apprenticeship system.
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.
Faculty, Advisors & Staff
Program Advisory Committee
- Tony Maida – Chair, Bird Construction
- Chris Backman, Kingston Construction Ltd.
- Randy Callaghan, PCL Construction Westcoast Inc.
- Ian Mackie, City of Vancourver
- Dennis Rithaler, Adera Development Corporation
- Ed Vandermeer, Centra Windows Inc.
- Trevor Van Rumpt, G.Wilson Construction Group
Contact Us
Don Naidesh
Department Head
Tel: 604-456-1281
Email: don_naidesh@bcit.ca
Questions or comments?
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Programs and courses are subject to change without notice.