Overview
The Metal Fabricator Foundation program prepares students for a career dealing with the selection, layout, shearing, cutting, punching, drilling, forming, fitting and welding of steel plates and structural steel shapes into products for the forest, mining, construction, transportation and agricultural industries.
Typical projects that involve metal fabricators include bridges, buildings, hoppers, conveyors, towers, cranes, heavy-mining equipment, logging equipment, and ship parts and equipment.
The Metal Fabricator Foundation program has General Admission intakes in September and March as well as special intakes for High School cohorts in February. Please contact the Admissions Department for specific dates and registration.
If you are interested in working in the marine and ship building industry, you may be eligible to enter the Marine Fitter Apprenticeship program.
Alternatively, if you are already indentured with the British Columbia Industry Training Authority (ITA), or seeking more information on the apprenticeship itself, check out our Metal Fabricator Apprenticeship web page.
The Program
Basic theory and related information along with hands-on shop practice enable students to become competent in basic steel fabrication methods for products such as steel buildings, tanks and equipment.
Good hand/eye coordination and good physical condition are desirable.
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.
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.
You 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 the following:
- 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
Read more about how to meet BCIT’s entrance requirements
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.
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.
Study permit: A valid BCIT study permit is required prior to starting the program.
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
March and 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
$350 (general estimated cost, subject to change)
Please visit the BCIT Bookstore to view the list of required books.
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.
Financial assistance
Financial assistance may be available for this program. For more information, please contact Student Financial Aid and Awards.
Courses
Class hours
0700–1330, Monday through Friday.
Program matrix
| Required Courses: | Credits | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| MTLF 1200 | Apply Safe Work Practices | 2.0 | |
| MTLF 1205 | Math for Metal Fabricators | 2.0 | |
| MTLF 1210 | Interpretation of Drawings for Fabricators | 3.0 | |
| MTLF 1215 | Hand and Power Tools | 2.0 | |
| MTLF 1220 | Metal Fabrication Shop Equipment | 5.0 | |
| MTLF 1225 | Develop & Layout Templates | 2.0 | |
| MTLF 1230 | Thermal Cutting Equipment & Processes | 2.0 | |
| MTLF 1235 | Arc Welding Processes | 2.0 | |
| MTLF 1240 | Blueprint Reading | 5.0 | |
| MTLF 1245 | Pattern Development | 3.0 | |
| MTLF 1250 | Handle Materials | 3.0 | |
| MTLF 1255 | Project Finishing | 1.0 | |
| MTLF 1260 | Shop Practical Projects | 12.0 | |
| MTLF 1265 | Perform Quality Control | 2.0 | |
| 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-time
Grading
An overall minimum of 70% grade point average for the program and a minimum passing grade of 50% in all other courses are required to successfully complete the program.
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
Training prepares students for entry-level employment as metal fabricators. Upon successful completion of the program, students may seek employment as apprentices. Industry contacts are available.
This is a prerequisite program for the Marine Fitter endorsement. Visit the Marine Fitter Apprenticeship page for more information.
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
Our faculty and staff have a combined 120 years of practical experience and over 60 years of teaching experience. This translates into a huge source of knowledge that you can draw from. If after reviewing the information on our web pages you still have questions regarding steel fabrication please contact any one of us, BCIT’s
admission & registration or apprenticeship training.
Mike McKoryk, Department Head
Tel: 604-456-1262
Email: mike_mckoryk@bcit.ca
Henry Ostermann, Faculty
Metal Fabrication TQ
Tel: 604-451-6833
Email: henry_ostermann@bcit.ca
Peter Thomas, Faculty
Metal Fabrication IP, Med, BCIDP
Tel: 604-431-4934
Email: peter_c_thomas@bcit.ca
Jason Grant, Faculty
Metal Fabrication RSE
Tel: 604-412-7509
Email: jgrant@bcit.ca
Contact Us
Mike McKoryk
Department Head
Tel: 604-456-1262
Email: mike_mckoryk@bcit.ca
Questions or comments?
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Programs and courses are subject to change without notice.