Entrance requirements

Benchperson is the third trade in a three-trade specialty in the lumber manufacturing Industry. An individual can be certified in one or all three depending on the scope of work in the workplace. The progression is:

• Saw Fitting - requirements include two levels of technical training over two years to achieve a Certificate of Qualification.
• Circular Sawfiler - apprentices must have a Saw Fitting Certificate of Qualification prior to acceptance into this program. Requirements also include one year of technical training and one year on-the-job training to achieve a Certificate of Qualification.
• Benchperson - apprentices must have a Circular Sawfiler Certificate of Qualification prior to acceptance into this program. Requirements also include one year of technical training and one year on-the-job training to achieve a Certificate of Qualification.

Note: Entrance Requirements are used as a guideline for success in this Apprenticeship program. They are recommended, not required.

• Grade 10 education or equivalent
• English 10 or English-language proficiency
• Math 10
• Science 10

BC provincial exams

For programs beginning in August 2007 or later which require Grade 12 Math and Science courses, BCIT will not require the applicant to write the provincial exam. Provincial exam marks will still be required for English 12, Communications 12, and Technical and Professional Communications 12.

Tuition fees

Please see the Fees, Payments and Refunds section of the website for more information on full-time tuition fees.

Books and supplies

Apprentices are expected to bring their CSA-approved steel-toed boots and eye protection. There are student study guides available for each of the Saw trades. These are sold through the BCIT Bookstore on the Burnaby campus.

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.

Limited financial assistance is available for BCIT apprenticeship students who demonstrate financial need. An apprentice bursary application is available for pick up at Apprentice Services for apprentices who require financial assistance to pay fees. The deadline for applying is no later than 4:00 p.m. on the Friday of your first week of classes. Please contact BCIT Apprentice Services for more information.

Class hours

0730-1430, Monday through Friday

Program length

One level of four weeks

Grading

Minimum passing grade is 70 per cent.

Graduate employment outcomes

The following link takes you to graduate outcome survey results containing mostly labour market results from the 2007-2009 BCIT Outcomes Surveys of 2006-2008 Graduates.
Note: The survey results will be displayed in a separate browser window. To view these results, you need to have the Adobe Acrobat Reader installed in your Web browser.

• Benchperson

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.

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 NE25, Room 102 Burnaby campus
Phone:	604-456-8100 1-800-667-0676 (BC)
Fax:	604-435-1197
On the web:	bcit.ca/apprenticeship

The BCIT Apprentice Service can assist apprentices with their registration, tuition fee payments, and other details.

Anyone interested in registering as an apprentice can contact the Industry Training Authority (ITA) at 778-328-8700 or 1-866-660-6011 (BC). BCIT's Apprentice Services can also assist individuals interested in entering apprentice training.