Overview
Sheet metal workers fabricate, assemble, alter and install a variety of sheet metal products. Typical jobs performed by a sheet metal worker include HVAC (Heating, Ventilating and Air Conditioning) ductwork, industrial sheet metal work, and residential sheet metal work. They also work on hospital and kitchen equipment (stainless steel), industrial exhaust systems, industrial sheet metal work, and roofing and flashing (copper, aluminium, stainless steel and galvanized iron).
The program
Basic theory and related information, along with hands-on shop practice enable students to become competent in fabricating basic sheet metal products.
Sheet metal workers must be able to work at heights. Good physical condition is necessary. Potential students with medical or physical difficulties should contact Accessibility Services to arrange an interview (telephone interview if out of town) with the institute’s rehabilitation specialist, 604-451-6963.
Entrance Requirements
COVID-19 Notice to Applicants
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
- 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)
- 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
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 accepts applications from international students; however, international students are not eligible to continue to an apprenticeship training program.
To learn more about international student opportunities at BCIT, visit BCIT International.
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
September each year.
*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
$685 (general estimated cost, and subject to change)
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
Program matrix
| Required Courses: | Credits | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| SMTL 1140 | Introduction to Industry | 1.0 | |
| SMTL 1141 | Use Safe Work Practices | 2.5 | |
| SMTL 1142 | Solve Mathematical Problems | 2.5 | |
| SMTL 1143 | Materials | 2.0 | |
| SMTL 1144 | Pattern Development | 13.0 | |
| SMTL 1146 | Field Installations | 1.0 | |
| SMTL 1147 | Welding Theory | 0.5 | |
| SMTL 1148 | Welding Practical | 1.5 | |
| SMTL 1149 | Shopwork Theory | 6.5 | |
| SMTL 1150 | Shopwork Practical | 10.0 | |
| Total Credits: | 40.5 | ||
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
20 weeks, full-time
Grading
A minimum passing grade for each course is 70%. An overall GPA of 70% or better is required to pass the program.
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.
Graduating & Jobs
Job opportunities
Students are prepared for entry-level employment in the sheet metal trade. Upon successful completion of the program, students may seek employment as apprentices, often with the support of faculty in connecting with employers.
With a rise in construction activity in BC, employment opportunities for sheet metal workers have also increased. Graduates are finding employment with both union and non-union employers. Apprenticeships are available.
All indicators show that employment in the Sheet Metal trade will continue to be positive in the future.
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 2017-2019 BCIT Outcomes Surveys of 2016-2018 graduates and for Degree 2015-2017 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
Erich Moeller
Department Head
Tel: 604-432-8242
Email: Erich_Moeller@bcit.ca
Questions or comments?
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Programs and courses are subject to change without notice.