Overview
The Machinist Foundation program provides students with the theory and practical experience to enter the machinist trade. Graduates are eligible for credit towards the first level of machinist apprenticeship.
The program
Basic theory and related information along with hands-on practice will enable students to become competent in the basic operations needed to make industrial parts and components according to engineering drawings.
Credentials – After completing the Machinist Foundation program, students can then complete an apprenticeship in the Machinist trade. Students will receive a credit of 500 work-based training hours and the ITA Machinist Apprenticeship Level 1 technical training. After successful completion of all apprenticeship requirements, you will receive the B.C. Certificate of Apprenticeship, the B.C. Certificate of Qualification, and the Interprovincial Standard Endorsement, also known as the Red Seal.
What grads can do
A machinist sets up and operates all machine tools such as lathes, milling machines, saws, grinding machines, drilling and boring machines, precision-measuring tools, hand and power tools. Increasingly, these machine operators use computer numerical controlled machines. Machinist operators must have an understanding of the fundamentals of mathematics, metallurgy, and mechanical engineering drawing, and must be in good physical condition to work around the machinery.
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:
- Pre-Calculus 11 (50%) or
- Foundations of Math 11 (60%) or
- Workplace Math 11 (67%) or
- Other acceptable BC and Yukon courses or
- BCIT Math Trades Entry Assessment
Recommended for success
- Applicants should have:
- Good command of oral and written English
- Sufficient physical strength and stamina to meet the demands of the work, good hearing, good eyesight, normal colour vision, manual dexterity and hand/eye coordination
- Good theoretical and practical mathematical skills and mechanical aptitude
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.
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 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
September each year
*Scheduled intakes are subject to change
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 and fees, visit:
Books & supplies
$1,276 (general estimated cost, and subject to change)
Students are required to supply their own safety glasses and CSA approved steel toe boots. Coveralls are recommended. Special retail supplier pricing is available for students. Please see the uniform authorization voucher [PDF] for details.
Financial assistance
Financial assistance may be available for this program. For more information, please contact Student Financial Aid and Awards.
Courses
Machinist Foundation term structure
This 25-week program starts in late September. The program has a format of approximately 50% theory and 50% practical hands-on learning, with a two-week break in winter.
Class hours
1230–1900, Monday through Friday
Program matrix
| Core Courses: (Machinist Foundation Program - 25 weeks) | Credits | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| MACH 1500 | Safe Work Practices | 4.0 | |
| MACH 1502 | Mathematics for Machinists | 3.0 | |
| MACH 1504 | Interpretation of Drawings | 3.0 | |
| MACH 1506 | Layout and Measuring | 6.0 | |
| MACH 1508 | Support Machines | 6.0 | |
| MACH 1510 | Lathe Operations | 10.0 | |
| MACH 1512 | Mill Operations | 6.0 | |
| MACH 1518 | Materials and Metallurgy | 2.0 | |
| MACH 1520 | Service and Maintenance | 3.0 | |
| MACH 1524 | Employment Preparation | 0.5 | |
| MACH 1529 | Capstone Project | 6.5 | |
| Total Credits: | 50.0 | ||
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
25 weeks, full-time
Grading
Minimum passing grade of 70% for each course. Students must achieve an overall grade point average (GPA) of 70% to successfully complete the program. There is no minimum pass mark required for the Apprenticeship exams.
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
Machinists have traditionally supported the various industry sectors in BC such as forestry and mining, aerospace, automotive and medical and research development. Opportunities also exist in industrial sales. Training prepares students for employment in the machinist trade. Graduates should seek employment as an apprentice. Opportunities exist throughout the province. Formal apprenticeships are common in this trade, but a graduate should be prepared to take an entry-level job in a shop until an apprenticeship becomes available. Upon completion of the Machinist Foundation and CNC Machinist Technician programs, graduates receive credit towards the respective apprenticeship technical training.
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
Faculty
Stefano Pettenon, RSE
Department Head
Tel: 604-432-8214
Email: spettenon@bcit.ca
Marte Arreola, MEd, RSE
Tel: 604-432-8477
Email: marte_arreola@bcit.ca
Chelsea Barron, RSE
Tel: 604-453-4038
Email: cbarron4@bcit.ca
Ali Daeizadeh, RSE
Tel: 604-453-4028
Email: adaeizadeh@bcit.ca
Michel Gaudet, RSE
Tel: 604-419-3783
Email: michel_gaudet@bcit.ca
Mustafa Sajid, MEd, RSE, Tool and Die ON
Tel: 604-456-8122
Email: mustafa_sajid@bcit.ca
Thomas Sowinski
Tel: 604-453-4027
Email: thomas_sowinski@bcit.ca
Greg Wahl, RSE, Tool and Die IP
Tel: 604-451-7064
Email: greg_wahl@bcit.ca
Steven Wealick
Tel: 604-453-4029
Email: steven_wealick@bcit.ca
Technical Staff
Richard Smith
Tool Room Attendant
Tel: 604-451-6736
Email: richard_smith@bcit.ca
Daniel Szakaly
Tool Room Attendant
Tel: 778-331-1794
Email: dszakaly@bcit.ca
Bradley Taylor
Maintenance Mechanic
Tel: 604-432-8935
Email: bradley_taylor@bcit.ca
Staff
Jeanie Chan, P.Eng, BEMP, MASc
Interim Associate Dean, Mechanical Engineering
Tel: 604-432-8280
Email: jeanie_chan@bcit.ca
Mary-Anne Pangan
Administrative Assistant
Tel: 604-456-8052
Email: maryanne_pangan@bcit.ca
Advisory committee
Claudio Bolognese
Manager, Machining Engineering Group, Seastar Solutions
Ed Bendfeld
President, Canam Tool & Engineering Inc.
Indy Dhaliwal
Shop Foreman, Johnson Industries Ltd.
Al Dickens
Operations Manager, Murray Latta, Progressive Machine Inc.
Surinderpal Ghotra
President & CEO, Cimtech Manufacturing Inc.
Bryan Jones
Supervisor, Machining Division, Canada Metal (Pacific) Ltd. (CMP)
Subscribe
Sign up to receive updates, invitations to events, and information about BCIT and your program.
We promise not to spam you, we won’t share your personal information, and you can unsubscribe at any time.
Programs and courses are subject to change without notice.