Overview
The Boilermaker Foundation program will provide students the full range of knowledge and skills required to fit, install, assemble, erect, repair and maintain a wide variety of vessels, tanks, towers, hoists and other structures, as well as ancillary equipment and fixtures made of metals and fibreglass materials.
BCIT offers both Foundation and Apprenticeship boilermaker training. Possible work sites include pulp mills, refineries and hydro-electric projects.
The Foundation program has General Admission intakes in September and March each year. Please contact the Admissions Department for specific dates and registration.
The Program
Basic theory and field-related information along with hands-on shop practice enable students to become competent in basic boilermaker construction tasks.
Boilermakers must be able to work at heights.
Your Safety is our Priority!
Check out our Steel Trades Safety Videos!
Entrance Requirements
Application processing
Applications are accepted throughout the year.
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.
Applicants must meet all entrance requirements prior to applying to this program. 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
- 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:
- Foundations of Math and Pre-Calculus 10 (50%) or
- Workplace Math 10 (50%) or
- Other acceptable BC and Yukon courses or
- BCIT Math Trades Entry Assessment
Recommended for success
Applicants are encouraged to research the trade scope of duties, and to contact the program instructor for any clarification. Contact Russell Osborne at 604-431-4941.
Good physical condition is required for success in the boilermaking trade, as well as good hearing and no colour blindness.
Students with medical or physical difficulties should contact Accessibility Services to arrange an interview with an institute rehabilitation specialist at 604-451-6963.
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
Intakes are typically offered in spring and/or fall.
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
Please see the Full-Time Studies Tuition & Fees page for full-time tuition fees.
Books & supplies
$460 (general estimated cost, and subject to change)
Please visit the BCIT Bookstore to view the list of required books.
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
0700-1330, Monday through Friday
Program matrix
| Required Courses: | Credits | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| BMKR 1100 | Safe/Acceptable Work Practices | 2.0 | |
| BMKR 1102 | Sketch and Read Drawings | 4.0 | |
| BMKR 1103 | Basic Measuring/Layout/Tools | 1.0 | |
| BMKR 1106 | Use Oxyfuel | 4.0 | |
| BMKR 1107 | Arc Welding | 8.0 | |
| BMKR 1108 | Use Fibre Rope | 2.0 | |
| BMKR 1109 | Use Wire Rope | 2.0 | |
| BMKR 1110 | Safe Rigging Practices/Proc | 4.0 | |
| BMKR 1111 | Erect Tanks | 6.0 | |
| BMKR 1112 | Boiler Construction Proc | 4.0 | |
| BMKR 1113 | Fabricate/Erect Penstock | 2.0 | |
| BMKR 1114 | Assemble/Dismantle Refin Comps | 2.0 | |
| BMKR 1116 | Fab Tools/Materials/Methods | 5.0 | |
| Total Credits: | 46.0 | ||
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
23 weeks, full-time
Grading
An overall minimum of 70% grade point average and a minimum passing grade of 70% in BMKR 1100 (Safe/Acceptable Work Practices) are required to successfully complete the program.
Program delivery
In person: This program is delivered on campus.
Program location
Burnaby Campus
3700 Willingdon Avenue
Burnaby, BC
Boilermaker Lodge 359
5510 268th Street
Langley, BC
SkilledTradesBC
BCIT transfers the student's name, contact information, Personal Education Number (PEN), and the name and date of the completed Foundation program to SkilledTradesBC. 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.Graduating & Jobs
Job Opportunities
Training prepares students as apprentice boilermakers. Upon successful completion of the program, students may seek employment as apprentices. Industry contacts are available.
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.
Contact Us
Mike McKoryk
Department Head
Tel: 604-456-1262
Email: mike_mckoryk@bcit.ca
Questions or comments?
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Programs and courses are subject to change without notice.