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overview
Note: Currently there are no intakes of this program being offered.
To be eligible for apprenticeship training you must be registered as an apprentice. Go to the BCIT Apprenticeship website for more information.
Three trades make up the saw trades: Saw Fitting,
Circular Sawfiler and
Benchperson. BCIT is
the only institution in B.C. that offers technical training for these trades. Saw Fitting is
a two-year program, and Circular Sawfiler and Benchperson are one year each.
The Saw Fitting training program is offered in two levels. The skills of a Saw Fitter
include the ability to:
- Inspect, install and fit various types of saws, including circular saws, band saws, gang saws and chain saws
- Adjust, operate, maintain and repair saw sharpening equipment
- Set, sharpen, replace, repair and weld saw teeth
- Sharpen, babbitt and balance chipper knives
- Use power tools and related hand tools needed to perform the sawfitter's work
- Complete any other work that is usually performed by a Saw Fitter in the lumber manufacturing industry
The Program
The
apprenticeship process requires time spent learning on the job and in
the classroom. Saw Fitting Apprentices must complete a two-year program
including 3,360 workplace hours and 240 in-school hours of training.
After completion of training, a passing grade on exams will result in
the B.C. Certificate of Apprenticeship and the B.C. Certificate of
Qualification.
program entry
If you are registered with the Industry Training Authority, you can apply now to BCIT's Apprenticeship Studies program. Read more about BCIT's apprenticeship programs.
Entrance requirements
Saw Fitting is the first 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.
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.
costs & supplies
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.
courses
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
Two levels of four weeks each
Grading
Minimum passing grade is 70 per cent.
graduating & jobs
Job Opportunities
Those working in the saw trades are employed in sawmills.
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.
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.
As BCIT strives to keep our programs current, programs and courses are subject to change without notice.
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