Overview
Note: The Aircraft Gas Turbine Technician program is currently being offered tuition free through federal funding for domestic students only. For more details see Funded Gas Turbine Program.
Gas Turbine (Jet) Engine Technicians are responsible for inspecting and repairing engines in accordance with exact aviation standards and regulation. It is a challenging occupation requiring a high degree of responsibility and skill, which includes:
- repairing and overhauling gas turbine engines
- rebuilding gas turbine engines
- balancing gas turbine engine components and assemblies
- testing and troubleshooting gas turbine engines
- inspecting gas turbine engine components and assemblies.
Qualified technicians have many opportunities for advanced training and continued career satisfaction.
This program was developed by BCIT, the Canadian Council for Aviation and Aerospace (CCAA) and the gas turbine engine overhaul industry. It was designed to meet industry’s need for basic training and technician certification. Successful completion of this program, plus work experience recorded and certified in a personal logbook, may qualify the candidates for national certification from CCAA.
The program
This Aircraft Gas Turbine Technician program consists of 38 weeks of full-time studies. Approximately 40 per cent of the day is spent on theory discussions in a classroom setting, followed by hands-on practical training in the shops and hangar located at BCIT’s state of the art Aerospace Technology Campus. Access to a wide variety of gas turbine engines, extensive use of specialized engine tooling and highly qualified instructors are provided to you in order to help you succeed at becoming a proficient technician capable of inspecting and repairing today’s sophisticated, modern gas turbine engines.
MTU Stream:
This pathway includes the 38-week gas turbine program with the last 12 weeks at MTU Maintenance Canada, plus an additional 8-week partnership certificate for a total of 46 weeks. Students will gain hands-on training at the MTU Maintenance Canada’s facility in Delta with the opportunity to gain practical experience in the maintenance, inspection, repair and overhaul of gas turbine engines.
Applicants must meet the eligibility requirements of MTU to enroll in this stream (and work at MTU for 20 weeks total). Canadian Citizens or Permanent Residents may be eligible for full tuition funding. PPE will be supplied.
Program intakes: September 2023 and March 2024
BCIT Stream:
The full-time 38-week aircraft gas turbine program is delivered at the BCIT Aerospace Technology Campus and includes a two-week work practicum with a local employer. The two week work practicum is offered to eligible students during the program’s two week reading break. The training provides you with the opportunity to gain practical experience to perform maintenance, inspection, repair and overhaul tasks on aircraft gas turbine engines.
Accepting high school, dual credit and international students. Canadian Citizens or Permanent Residents may be eligible for full tuition funding. PPE will be supplied.
Program intakes: January 2024 and June 2024
Entrance Requirements
Application processing
Applications are accepted throughout the year.
Entrance requirements
NOTICE TO APPLICANTS: Effective Fall 2024, BCIT will implement English Language Proficiency (ELP) categories for programs requiring a minimum of English 12 with 50%, 67%, or 73% into Categories 1,2,3, and Graduate Studies. This will allow students who have met their English Language Proficiency requirements using a method other than BC Secondary School English to easily see the equivalent option for their desired program. Applications submitted for intakes scheduled to start on or after September 1, 2024, (or received starting October 1, 2023 for programs with rolling start dates) will be evaluated using the new English Language Proficiency (ELP) categories. The ELP categories replace the previous English requirements.
This program has a two-step admission process. Applicants must meet all entrance requirements and will be accepted on a first qualified basis as long as space remains.
Step 1: Pre-entry assessment
Applicants must complete a pre-entry assessment form to have their education, experience, and interest assessed by the program area. Submit your completed Pre-entry assessment form [PDF] to GasTurbineTech@bcit.ca. Once signed by the program area, please submit your pre-entry assessment form with your online application.
Step 2: Submit your application and meet the following entrance requirements
- English: two years of education in English in an English-speaking country with one of the following:
- English Studies 12 (50%) or
- English First Peoples 12 (50%) or
- Acceptable equivalent high school course or
- 3.0 credits of post-secondary English, humanities or social sciences (50%) from a recognized institution or
- BCIT English Trades Entry Assessment (for applicants who have two years of education in an English-speaking country only)
What if I don’t meet these English requirements?
- Math: one of the following:
- Pre-Calculus 11 (60%) or
- Foundations of Math 11 (60%) or
- Workplace Math 11 (60%) or
- Other acceptable BC and Yukon courses or
- BCIT Math Trades Entry Assessment
Recommended for success
- Drafting
- General Mechanics 11, or Automotive Mechanics 11, or Technical Education 11, or Physics 11
- Complex disassembly and assembly procedures require good manual dexterity and mechanical reasoning
- Extensive use of technical manuals requires strong reading comprehension skills
- Good colour vision
- An interest in mechanics
International applicants
This program is available to international applicants. A valid 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
For more information about upcoming intakes, please contact GasTurbineTech@bcit.ca.
April 2023, October 2023, and April 2024 intakes:
- Open to eligible domestic applicants
May 2023 and January 2024 intakes:
- Open to both domestic and international applicants
*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 e-mail addresses. All correspondence regarding your application 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 application within four weeks.
Costs & Supplies
Tuition fees
Domestic students
Tuition is free for upcoming intakes until April 2024. Funding is provided by the Government of Canada.
International students
Tuition is assessed at the regular international rate. See the Interntaional Tuition & Fees page for more information.
Books & supplies
$1,362*
(general estimated cost, subject to change)
*Domestic students: Funding provided for upcoming intakes until April 2024 includes the cost of books and supplies.
Financial assistance
Financial assistance may be available for this program. For more information, please contact Student Financial Aid and Awards.
Courses
Class hours
0800–1530, Monday through Friday
Program matrix
| Term 1 (16 weeks) | Credits | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| AVGT 1001 | Engine Shop Practices | 15.0 | |
| AVGT 1006 | Turbine Engine Theory, Construction and Systems | 15.0 | |
| AVGT 1011 | Precision Measuring Instruments | 1.0 | |
| AVGT 1016 | Compressor Blade Inspection and Repair | 1.0 | |
| Term 2 (16 weeks) | Credits | ||
| AVGT 2002 | Repair and Overhaul Practices1 | 15.0 | |
| AVGT 2004 | Repair and Overhaul Practices2 | 15.0 | |
| AVGT 2012 | Turbine Engine Borescope Inspection | 1.0 | |
| AVGT 2014 | Turbine Engine Bearing Inspection | 1.0 | |
| Term 3 (6 weeks) | Credits | ||
| AVGT 3001 | Operation, Testing and Certification | 11.0 | |
| AVGT 3011 | Turbine Engine Testing and Operation | 1.0 | |
| ZATT 0000 | Attendance | ||
| Total Credits: | 76.0 | ||
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
38 weeks, full-time
Grading
Minimum course passing grade is 70%. Each course has a theory component and a practical component and both components must be passed with 70%. The official transcript will show an average of both marks, with a U or F (unsatisfactory or failed) if either component is not passed.
Course Failure and Program Continuation
If you fail a course during a term, you may re-register to repeat the course. However, if your second attempt is unsuccessful, you will be prohibited from continuing the term and must seek approval from the Associate Dean in order to be readmitted into the program.
Program delivery
Blended: This program is delivered partly on campus and partly online.
Program location
Aerospace Technology Campus
3800 Cessna Drive
Richmond, BC
Aviation attendance policy
The attendance policies for all Aviation programs differ from other BCIT programs and are regulated by Transport Canada and/or Canadian Aviation Maintenance Council.
Graduating & Jobs
Job opportunities
The men and women who enter this career path find employment in power plant shops of larger airlines, as well as repair and overhaul shops of engine manufacturers and independent owners across Canada.
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 2020-2022 BCIT Outcomes Surveys of 2019-2021 graduates and for Degree 2017-2019 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.
Funded GT Program
Overview
With funding from the Government of Canada, eligible Canadian Citizens and permanent residents are provided tuition free education for the Gas Turbine Technician program along with an industry partnership certificate and paid practicum. Course materials, meal allowance, and incidentals will also be provided.
Program structure
This 46-week program includes BCIT’s Gas Turbine (Jet Engine) Technician Certificate and an industry partnership certificate.
The first 26 weeks will be delivered at the BCIT Aerospace campus, and then 20 weeks will be delivered at our industry partner location; MTU Maintenance Canada, Boundary Bay Airport, 4300 80th St Delta BC. Each training week is Monday to Friday, six hours daily at the Aerospace campus and 40 hours per week when attending MTU Maintenance Canada.
Intakes into the Funded Gas Turbine Program will be September 2023 and March 2024
Eligibility
You’ll need a Grade 12 English (50%), Grade 11 math (60%) to apply.
Industry partner employment requirements
- Canadian citizenship or hold a permanent resident status
- Pass a criminal record check via a contractor assigned by the industry partner
- Successful completion of a controlled goods eligibility assessment by the industry partner’s designated official
- Good colour vision
Fully funded tuition
All direct costs are provided, including:
- Tuition
- Textbooks
- Transit pass
- Some meals and incidentals
Credentials earned through this program
- Gas Turbine Technician Certificate
- Including CCAA accreditation
- Micro-credential in Gas Turbine Inspection Essentials
- Industry Partnership Certificate in Advanced Gas Turbine
Interested in finding out more?
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