Overview
The Instrumentation and Control Technician apprenticeship process requires time spent in training both on the job and in-school. Instrumentation and control technicians install, repair, maintain, replace, calibrate and program all process monitoring and/or control instruments, including indicators, recording devices, control loops and computers.
About the program
An instrumentation and control technician trainee must complete a four-year program, including 6,000 workplace hours and 1,200 in-school hours of training. After completion of training, a passing grade on the interprovincial exam will result in the B.C. Certificate of Apprenticeship, the B.C. Certificate of Qualifications, and the Interprovincial Standard Endorsement, also known as Red Seal.
The Instrumentation and Control Technician facility at BCIT is a real operating industrial plant, complete with a pneumatic, electronic, programmable logic controller and a number of distributed control systems including conventional analog as well as digital field bus systems. Fifty per cent of this training time at BCIT is practical hands-on work, with real equipment being applied to operating systems in order to reinforce the theory delivered.
Who it’s for
Instrumentation and control technicians must have knowledge of pneumatics, electropneumatics, hydraulics, electricity and electronics. A deep interest in the scientific and technical aspects of the job is required. Successful instrumentation and control technicians dedicate themselves to keeping current with changes in technology. Workers who pay attention to detail, have manual dexterity and like to understand and solve problems will have an advantage. Patience, self-control, and the ability to work on a team are also desirable qualities.
What grads can do
Instrumentation and control technicians install, repair, maintain, replace, calibrate and program all process monitoring and/or control instruments, including indicators, recording devices, control loops and computers. These instruments may be pneumatic, hydraulic, electronic, electrical, mechanical, nuclear, optical or chemical, and include signal transmission, telemetering and digital devices in industrial operations.
Graduates are employed by pulp and paper processing companies, by hydro power generating companies, by mining, petrochemical and natural gas companies, by industrial instrument and other manufacturing companies, and by industrial instrument servicing establishments.
Entrance Requirements
Entrance requirements
You must be an active apprentice registered with SkilledTradesBC to register for apprenticeship training at BCIT.
Note: Any apprentices planning to enter BCIT's Instrumentation and Control Technician Apprenticeship Program after Level 1 who have not passed the BCIT Instrumentation and Control Technician "safety training" tests are required to pass the theory and practical "safety tests" prior to proceeding with further apprenticeship training at BCIT. Contact the Instrumentation and Control Technician Department to arrange for testing.
Graduates of the Instrumentation and Control Technician Program can receive credit for up to three levels of apprenticeship technical training upon successful completion of a slotting exam for each level.
Recommended for success
High school graduation, including:
- English 12 or English language proficiency
- Applications of Math 11 or Principles of Math 11
- Physics 11
Apprentices should possess good health and the physical condition necessary to meet the demands of the work: good hearing, eyesight and hand/eye coordination. 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
- 789 Fluke Process Meter: $1,699.00* (This is a discounted price through the department available at BCIT Burnaby Bookstore.)
- Electronic Component Box: $250* (This item is only available through the department.)
- Writing in the Technical Fields: A Practical Guide Third Edition by Thorsten Ewald
- CSA Approved Safety Shoes
*General estimated cost, subject to change
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
0700-1345, Monday through Friday
Please refer to the Apprenticeship Training Schedule for class hours and availability of upcoming intakes.
Program matrix
| Level 1 (10 weeks) | Credits | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| AINT 1GAP | Instrumentation & Control Technician Apprentice Level 1 Final Grade | 20.0 | |
| Level 2 (10 weeks) | Credits | ||
| AINT 2GAP | Instrumentation & Control Technician Apprentice Level 2 Final Grade | 20.0 | |
| Level 3 (10 weeks) | Credits | ||
| AINT 3GAP | Instrumentation & Control Technician Apprentice Level 3 Final Grade | 20.0 | |
| Level 4 (10 weeks) | Credits | ||
| AINT 4GAP | Instrumentation & Control Technician Apprentice Level 4 Final Grade | 20.0 | |
| Total Credits: | 80.0 | ||
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
The total amount of in-school, technical training for an Instrumentation and Control Technician Apprenticeship is 1,200 hours. There are four levels of technical training; each level is ten weeks in length (full-time).
Grading
Minimum passing grade is 70%.Program delivery
In person: This program is delivered on campus.
Program location
Burnaby Campus
3700 Willingdon Avenue
Burnaby, BC
Graduating & Jobs
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.
Credential
BCIT offers a Diploma of Trades Training for apprentices who have successfully completed their technical training at BCIT and have been granted a British Columbia Trades Qualification (IP/TQ). In trades where there is no requirement to complete a Trades Qualification (TQ), a Certificate of Apprenticeship is acceptable. Please see the BCIT apprenticeship training section of the website for more information.
Faculty, Advisors & Staff
Faculty
Jodie Vigar, BTech, P.Eng.
Department Head of Industrial Instrumentation Programs
Email: jvigar@bcit.ca
Greg Filek, RSE
Faculty
Tel: 604-451-6778
Email: greg_filek@bcit.ca
Michael Huang, RSE, MCA, PMP
Faculty
Tel: 604-453-4099
Email: michael_huang@bcit.ca
John Powszedny, RSE
Faculty
Tel: 604-456-1134
Email: jpowszedny@bcit.ca
Technical Staff
Jack Malczewski
Technician/Instrument Mechanic
Tel: 778-928-2340
Email: jack_malczewski@bcit.ca
Staff
Sanja Boskovic, PhD Mechanical Engineering, PhD Educational Technology
Associate Dean
Tel: 604-451-6964
Email: sanja_boskovic@bcit.ca
Kelsey Sem
Administrative Assistant
Tel: 604-432-8259
Email: kelsey_sem@bcit.ca
Advisory committee
Wes Babcock
Cogent Industrial Technologies
Leon Bretton
Phillips Brewing & Malting Co.
Danny Casquilho
David Massullo
Fluor Canada Ltd.
Dom Sacco
Corix Control Solutions LP
Sheldon Scott
Harmac Pacific, a division of Nanaimo Forest Products Ltd
Shane Stirling
Epscan Industries Ltd.
Contact Us
BCIT Apprenticeship Service Office
BCIT_apprentice@bcit.ca
604-456-8100
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.
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