Overview
The Electrical Foundation program provides graduates with the theory and practical skills necessary to enter the electrical trade. The electrical worker plans, assembles, installs, tests, repairs and maintains electrical equipment and systems in commercial, industrial and marine facilities.
The Program
The program emphasizes a hands-on approach to training, where experience gained in the workshop is focused on industry practice. The necessary theoretical component is integrated into the program to complement and enhance the practical work. Industry tours will expose the student to a variety of work environments.
Check out our virtual info session for more information
Entrance Requirements
Application processing
Applications are accepted throughout the year.
Select your preferred location when you apply. A criminal record check is required to attend a high school site.
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:
- 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
Applicants should possess good health and the physical condition necessary to meet the demands of the work: good hearing, eyesight and hand/eye coordination.
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: 604-451-6963.
Trades Discovery
The Trades Discovery General and Trades Discovery for Women are full-time programs designed to prepare participants to successfully enter and complete a Trades Training program.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
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
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
$835.00 (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
0730–1430 or 1430–2115, Monday through Friday.
Program matrix
| Term 1 | Credits | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| TELX 1151 | Applied Mechanics | 4.0 | |
| TELX 1152 | Fundamentals of Electricity | 8.0 | |
| TELX 1154 | Principles of Magnetism | 4.0 | |
| TELX 1156 | Wiring Methods | 12.0 | |
| TELX 1158 | Electrical Code, Plans and Specifications | 8.0 | |
| Term 2 | Credits | ||
| TELX 2131 | AC Circuit Analysis | 2.0 | |
| TELX 2135 | Electronic Devices | 2.0 | |
| TELX 2137 | Basic Motor Control | 4.0 | |
| TELX 2140 | Computer Skills and Job Preparation | 4.0 | |
| Total Credits: | 48.0 | ||
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
24 weeks, full-timeProgram delivery
In person: This program is delivered on campus.
Program location
Burnaby Campus
3700 Willingdon Avenue
Burnaby, BC
DW Poppy Secondary School
23752 - 52 Avenue
Langley, BC
Princess Margaret Senior Secondary School
128th Street and 72nd Avenue
Surrey, BC
Applicants must specify location preference when applying.
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
Graduates may qualify for advanced standing as indentured candidates within the apprenticeship system.
Job opportunities exist in the construction, mining, forestry, food production, manufacturing, grain handling, transportation, utility and service industries. The nature of the electrical trade has changed with the impact of solid-state control and programmable logic controllers. Challenging career opportunities are available to individuals who are prepared to acquire a broad range of technical skills.
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.