Overview
Looking for a career that is challenging, one that pays well and has employers seeking you out? Consider an apprenticeship in the Sheet Metal trade.
Being employed in the sheet metal trade means you could be working in a shop environment or working on a job site. Some of the responsibilities of sheet metal workers include:
- Reading blueprints and specifications
- Layout and fabrication
- Installation of sheet metal systems
- Altering existing systems
- Welding
Sheet metal workers fabricate, assemble, and install a variety of sheet metal products. Typical jobs performed by a sheet metal worker include HVAC (heating, ventilation and air conditioning) ductwork, and industrial sheet metal work. They also work on hospital and kitchen equipment (stainless steel), industrial exhaust systems, residential sheet metal work, architectural, roofing and flashing (copper, aluminum, stainless steel and galvanized iron).
Want to learn more about our trade? We suggest any or all of the following: browse through our web site, make an appointment to come in and tour our facilities, go out and visit a sheet metal shop in your neighbourhood, or view this career video.
Harmonized sheet metal apprenticeship
New Sheet Metal Apprentices starting the program after April 1, 2019 will be required to complete their levels in the harmonized program. As of March 2022 all levels offered are harmonized only
Check the Apprenticeship Training Schedules to see available training dates.
- Next up Entrance Requirements
Entrance Requirements
Pathways
There are two ways of beginning your new career as a sheet metal apprentice:
- Take our Sheet Metal Worker Foundation program. This program runs once a year with classes beginning in September. At the end of the 20 weeks of training you will have gained the basic skills to obtain employment in the Sheet Metal industry. At that time interviews with local contractors are scheduled for students seeking employment. By successfully completing the program, you will also receive credit for the in-school portion of Level 1 of our Sheet Metal Apprenticeship training.
- Find employment under a sheet metal worker who will register you with SkilledTradesBC. In this option, you are indentured to a company as an apprentice sheet metal worker, learning basic skills while you are employed. The advantage here is that you earn while you learn.
Entrance requirements
You must be an active apprentice registered with SkilledTradesBC to register for apprenticeship training at BCIT.
Recommended for success
- English 10 or English language proficiency
- Any Math 11
- Science 10 or equivalent
High school graduation is preferred.
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.
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- Next up Costs & Supplies
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
Apprentices are expected to bring their CSA-approved steel-toed boots. Cost of books/supplies to be determined
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
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.
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- Next up Courses
Courses
As an apprentice, the skills you acquire will come from a combination of technical in-school instruction and working in industry to gain practical on-the-job experiences.
At BCIT, you will be taught by instructors who are qualified in all aspects of the trade. Your time will be split into classroom and shop activities where you will be in groups of up to 16 students per class. The program is designed so that comprehensive instructions are followed by a series of assignments and practical projects to give you the opportunity to hone your skills.
Class hours
0730-1400, Monday through Friday
Please refer to the Apprenticeship Training Schedule for class hours and availability of upcoming intakes.
Program matrix
Level 1 (8 weeks) | Credits | ||
---|---|---|---|
ASHM 1GAP | Sheet Metal Apprenticeship Level 1 Final Grade - Harmonized Trade | 16.0 | |
Level 2 (8 weeks) | Credits | ||
ASHM 2GAP | Sheet Metal Apprenticeship Level 2 Final Grade - Harmonized Trade | 16.0 | |
Level 3 (8 weeks) | Credits | ||
ASHM 3GAP | Sheet Metal Apprenticeship Level 3 Final Grade - Harmonized Trade | 16.0 | |
Level 4 (8 weeks) | Credits | ||
ASHM 4GAP | Sheet Metal Apprenticeship Level 4 Final Grade - Harmonized Trade | 16.0 | |
Total Credits: | 64.0 |
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.
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- Next up Program Details
Program Details
In the Sheet Metal program, you will learn the core skills necessary to succeed in the trade. The program is organized in a logical sequence, starting with topics such as:
- Safe work practices
- Solving mathematical problems
- Learning the different metals and their properties
- Pattern development
- Field installations
- Welding theory and practical
- Shopwork theory and practical
The program is designed so that comprehensive instructions are followed by a series of assignments and practical projects to give you the opportunity to hone your skills.
Each level of apprenticeship training builds on the skills and knowledge you acquired in your previous year’s training.
Program length
The total amount of in-school training for a sheet metal apprenticeship is 960 hours. There are four levels of training, each eight weeks in length.
Grading
A minimum grade of 70 per cent is required.
Program delivery
In person: This program is delivered on campus.
Program location
Burnaby Campus
3700 Willingdon Avenue
Burnaby, BC
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- Next up Graduating & Jobs
Graduating & Jobs
Each level of your apprenticeship will give you a different answer for the question, “what are my job opportunities”. As you progress through the four years of the apprenticeship program, your abilities and expertise will increase giving way to more difficult and intricate projects.
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.
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- Next up Faculty, Advisors & Staff
Faculty, Advisors & Staff
Erich Moeller, Sheet Metal IP
Department Head
Tel: 604-432-8242
Email: Erich_Moeller@bcit.ca
George DSouza, IP Automotive Service Tech
Toolroom Attendant
Tel: 604-432-8235
Email: gdsouza2@bcit.ca
Vincent Penner, Faculty
RSE
Tel: 604-453-4067
Email: vpenner2@bcit.ca
Alyssa Deville, Faculty
RSE
Tel: 604-456-1253
Email: alyssa_deville@bcit.ca
- Go back Graduating & Jobs
- Next up Contact Us
Contact Us
Erich Moeller
Department Head
Tel: 604-432-8242
Email: Erich_Moeller@bcit.ca
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.
Questions or comments?
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