Overview
Automotive Service Technicians are proficient in using computerized diagnostic equipment to test, adjust and repair sophisticated vehicle systems. With the Ford ASSET Option, beyond acquiring your ASTO Diploma and writing the Level 1, 2, 3 BC Industry Training Authority (ITA) Certificate of Qualification exams, you also receive specialized training for Ford certification in brakes, electrical, steering and suspension, engine mechanical, and heating ventilation and air conditioning systems.
Program delivery mode: blended
- This program will be delivered as a combination of online and on-campus learning. While some of your coursework will take place online, there will also be in-person sessions.
- Faculty will notify students of when their attendance on campus will be required.
- We have put measures in place for your safety and well-being, ensuring that all safety protocols are addressed. Please see the BCIT COVID-19 page for details on the mandatory procedures that have been implemented.
Your education is our priority and we will continue to deliver the applied instruction, collaborative experience, and industry connections that you expect from BCIT.
Technology requirements
- You will need access to a personal computer with video and microphone for the online portion of your program.
- See Student Technology and Discounts for general technology recommendations and negotiated discounts from BCIT partners.
Safety in shops
- Because this program will be delivered in a blended format, you will be required to attend shop activities in person. Our Occupational Health and Safety team has assessed our classrooms and shops to ensure we practice safe operating procedures in accordance with public health and safety guidelines as well as WorkSafeBC standards for post-secondary institutions. This is what we have done for automotive programs.
Services and support
- Our Student Services staff continue to offer advice, care, and support as needed to optimize your learning experience. Many services, including Student Health Services and Counselling and Student Development are offering phone or virtual appointments to BCIT students.
Ford dealerships sponsor ASSET students during their work terms, so you gain real world experience while also receiving a wage and the opportunity to demonstrate your skills. You may even have a job lined up upon graduation. Many Ford dealers hire graduates from the program; however, your career is not limited to Ford as the ASTO Diploma program and ITA certification applies throughout BC and most Canadian provinces as an Automotive Service Technician.
The program
This specialized training program has been designed to provide you with the theoretical understanding and practical skills needed to diagnose and repair the sophisticated systems found in contemporary motor vehicles. The administrative and business training components of the program provide you with laddering opportunities for advancement through baccalaureate pathways in business administration and technology management. The ASTO Ford ASSET Option consists of four technical training terms with two paid 22-week co-op work terms in a Ford dealership facility.
Upon successful completion of the program, you will receive an Automotive Service Technician and Operations Diploma, qualify for credit towards all four levels of technical training requirements in the provincial Automotive Service Technician Apprenticeship program and receive 2000 hours of time service requirement towards your apprenticeship.
Entrance Requirements
Application processing
Applications are accepted throughout the year.
Ford dealer sponsored students receive priority placement up to six months before the program start date. Remaining seats are filled from the waitlist.
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.
If you are uncertain or don’t meet the requirements, we strongly recommend you complete any applicable Trades Entry Assessments before applying.
- 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
- Other acceptable BC and Yukon courses 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 (50%) or
- Foundations of Math 11 (50%) or
- Workplace Math 11 (50%) or
- Other acceptable BC and Yukon courses or
- BCIT Math Trades Entry Assessment
- BCIT Mechanical Reasoning Trades Entry Assessment
- Complete the following form for submission with your online application:
Recommended for success
High school graduation is recommended by the Industry Training Authority (ITA). Please refer to the ITA website for current apprenticeship prerequisite information.
A driver’s licence is strongly recommended in order to move vehicles in and out of the shops.
Knowledge and background in the industry is an asset.
Applicants are encouraged to attend an Automotive Information Session for additional Apprenticeship and program details.
Applicants with medical or physical disabilities should contact Accessibility Services to arrange an interview.
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 not available to international students. View available programs
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
January or June each year (alternating)
*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.
Advanced Placement
Conditions
You may be eligible to apply to an advanced level of the program through direct entry. Please note that applications are considered based on:
- Complete applications: you must show proof that you have completed (or are registered in) all requirements to be considered.
- Competitive entry: if the number of applicants exceeds available seats, BCIT will accept those deemed to have the best opportunity for success.
- Seat availability: confirmation may not be available until approximately one week before the term begins.
Direct entry
Note: If you plan to obtain the Ford Technician Certification, do not apply for advanced placement. You must apply to start the program from Level 1.
If you have previously completed an Automotive Technician Foundation program, you may be eligible to apply for direct entry to the Automotive Service Technician and Operations Diploma at an advanced level.
Applications are accepted throughout the year.
Submit the following with your online application:
- Proof of meeting all general entrance requirements
- Proof of completion of one of the following:
- Automotive Technician Foundation
- Automotive Technician Toyota Foundation
- Automotive Technician Honda/Acura Foundation
- Equivalent Automotive Technician Foundation program from a recognized institution
- Automotive Technician Youth Train in Trades (formerly ACE-IT) program for BC high school students
- Proof of completion of the ITA Automotive Service Technician 1 Certificate of Qualification Exam with a minimum of 70%
Ready to submit your application? Apply now.
Questions? Review the Admissions FAQ or contact Program Advising.
Costs & Supplies
Tuition fees
Please see the Full-Time Studies Tuition & Fees page for full-time tuition fees.
Books & supplies
| Level 1: | $970 |
| Level 2: | $590 |
| Level 3: | $280 |
| Level 4: | $280 |
(general estimated cost, subject to change)
CSA approved safety glasses and footwear required. Footwear must be steel-toed, leather, ankle covering boots.
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
0730–1400, Monday through Friday
Scheduling of academic courses may require some courses to be scheduled outside of the established hours.
Program matrix
| Term 1 (13 weeks) | Credits | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| ASTO 1001 | Automotive Science Fundamentals | 2.0 | |
| ASTO 1002 | Employment Preparation | 2.0 | |
| ASTO 1020 | Workplace Safety | 1.0 | |
| ASTO 1021 | Welding | 1.0 | |
| ASTO 1022 | Tools and Equipment | 2.0 | |
| ASTO 1023 | Wheels, Hubs, Tires, and Bearings | 2.5 | |
| ASTO 1024 | Brake Systems | 3.0 | |
| ASTO 1025 | Suspension Systems | 2.0 | |
| ASTO 1026 | Steering Systems | 3.0 | |
| ASTO 1027 | Basic Electrical Systems | 4.0 | |
| ASTO 1028 | General Automotive Maintenance | 2.0 | |
| ASTO 1029 | Driveshafts | 1.5 | |
| Co-op 1 (22 weeks) | Credits | ||
| ASTO 1990 | Co-op Work Term 1 | 22.0 | |
| Term 2 (12 weeks) | Credits | ||
| ASTO 2001 | Automotive Science Mechanical Applications | 2.5 | |
| ASTO 2002 | Customer Relations and Sales | 2.0 | |
| ASTO 2003 | Automotive Business Practices | 2.0 | |
| ASTO 2010 | ITA Level 1 Certificate of Qualification Preparation | 1.0 | |
| ASTO 2020 | Starting, Charging, and Advanced Electrical Systems | 3.5 | |
| ASTO 2021 | Electronic Chassis Systems | 2.0 | |
| ASTO 2022 | Engine Repair and Support Systems | 6.0 | |
| ASTO 2023 | Manual Transmission, Transfer Case, and Differentials | 5.0 | |
| Term 3 (12 weeks) | Credits | ||
| ASTO 3001 | Automotive Science Clean Air Technology | 2.0 | |
| ASTO 3002 | Automotive Communications | 2.5 | |
| ASTO 3003 | Automotive Business Operations | 3.0 | |
| ASTO 3010 | ITA Level 2 Certificate of Qualification Preparation | 1.0 | |
| ASTO 3020 | Electrical and Electronic Systems | 3.0 | |
| ASTO 3021 | Electronic Ignition Systems | 2.0 | |
| ASTO 3022 | Fuel Delivery Systems | 3.5 | |
| ASTO 3023 | Gasoline Engine Management Systems | 3.0 | |
| ASTO 3024 | Emission Control Systems | 2.5 | |
| ASTO 3025 | Networking Systems | 1.5 | |
| Co-op 2 (22 weeks) | Credits | ||
| ASTO 3990 | Co-op Work Term 2 (Optional) | 22.0 | |
| Term 4 (12 weeks) | Credits | ||
| ASTO 4001 | Automotive Science Advanced | 2.0 | |
| ASTO 4003 | Automotive Business Management | 3.0 | |
| ASTO 4010 | ITA Level 3 Certificate of Qualification Preparation | 1.0 | |
| ASTO 4020 | Advanced Feature Group | 2.0 | |
| ASTO 4021 | Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning Systems | 3.0 | |
| ASTO 4023 | All-Wheel Drive Systems | 2.0 | |
| ASTO 4024 | Automatic Transmissions | 5.0 | |
| ASTO 4025 | Diesel Fuel Management and Emissions | 2.0 | |
| ASTO 4026 | Hybrid and Electric Vehicle Technology | 3.5 | |
| Total Credits: | 141.5 | ||
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 years (93 weeks), full-time
Term 1: 13 weeks in school, 22 weeks co-op
Term 2: 12 weeks in school
Term 3: 12 weeks in school, 22 weeks optional co-op
Term 4: 12 weeks in school
Grading
All courses must be passed in order to complete the program. The minimum passing grade for each course is indicated on the course outline.
Program location
Burnaby Campus
3700 Willingdon Avenue
Burnaby, BC
Industry training authority
BCIT transfers the student's name, contact information, Personal Education Number (PEN), and the name and date of the completed ITA Foundation program to the Industry Training Authority (ITA). 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.
Co-operative education
This is a cooperative education program that combines academic terms with paid cooperative work terms. Cooperative education is not an option but an integral part of this program, subject to the same performance criteria as the program itself.
While co-op coordinators assist with job placements for students, it must be recognized that during certain periods of the business cycle, job placements may be difficult to find. It is then the responsibility of the student to work with the coordinator (and on his/her own) to find a meaningful work experience.
The complete cooperative education policy including student, Institute and employer responsibilities is available through the Centre for Workplace Education (Co-op) office and the Registrar's Office.
For more information, please visit the Centre for Workplace Education (Co-op), located in Building NW5 at the Burnaby campus.Co-op coordinator: 604-432-8291
General Inquiries: 604-432-8634
Contact Us
BCIT School of Transportation has partnered with Ford Motor Company to provide Ford-sponsored training. In addition to the Automotive Service Technician program, students will receive training, exposure and focus on the Ford product.
Interested potential candidates should contact their local Ford dealer, or get in touch with the BCIT Ford ASSET coordinator, George Ng at 604-453-4052 or fordasset@bcit.ca
Questions or comments?
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