Full-time Apprenticeship 4430appr
Fabricators build products using steel, aluminum, stainless steel and various other alloys. The need to maintain design efficiencies for weight and strength continually challenge the fabricator to work with lighter materials and more complex shapes to achieve the desired product. An excellent example of how much the industry has evolved can be seen by looking at what has happened to the design and fabrication of bicycles. These used to be made of heavier sections in order to maintain strength, but now we are seeing bikes made significantly lighter and yet capable of much higher stress loads.
Making a Career ChoiceView a career video.
Check the Apprenticeship Training Schedules to see available training dates.
Due to the Pan-Canadian Harmonization Initiative, the Metal Fabricator (Fitter) Apprenticeship program has changed effective March 31, 2017.
New apprentices starting the program after April 2017 will be required to complete their levels in the harmonized program.
Harmonized apprentice levels will be regularly schedule as follows:
Current Metal Fabricator Apprentices will have the following options to complete their training:
Option 1: Complete the current program
Apprentices that began their training prior to April 2017 are encouraged to complete each level of training in their current stream as follows:
If you try to register and the level is unavailable, please ask the Apprentice Services customer service representative to add your contact information to the interests list to be notified when additional intakes become available.
Option 2: Transition from the current stream to the harmonized stream
Current apprentices that need to transition to the new harmonized program will need to repeat the same level of technical training when they enter the new harmonized stream. The path to transition from the current to harmonized levels is as follows:
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.
You will learn trade skills, which are practical skills applied to real life situations. You can’t compare high school, college or university to the process of learning that happens with us.
Employers need people who know how to get things fabricated. Our program breaks down the required skills into a list of competencies that are then delivered in a “competency based learning model,” which means: first you learn the theory, then you practice, then you demonstrate that competence.
The learning process requires your involvement. Throughout the course you will be presented with a variety of challenges, and you will gain knowledge step-by-step from instructors and your fellow students.
Metal fabricators are often selected to lead teams on projects, selected as department heads, and urged to pursue managerial positions. Fabricators are at the highest level of income due to their background of training and development.
Statistics suggest that you will experience at least four careers in your working life. An important consideration needs to be earning power and flexibility to pursue other education while working. This trade will give you tremendous shift selection, employment income, and transferability to other or related trades and technologies.
In a global marketplace, fabricators will continue to earn a premium due to their ability to apply technology and training to their crews, justifying their expense in relation to other trades.
So in a brief four years, you may elect to remain in this field or move on. The good news is that you will have a high paying career, which is a good base from which to make new choices for the future realities before you.
Our faculty and staff have a combined 120 years of practical experience and over 60 years of teaching experience. This translates into a huge source of knowledge that you can draw from. If after reviewing the information on our web pages you still have questions regarding steel fabrication please contact any one of us, BCIT's admission & registration or apprenticeship training.
Mike McKoryk, Chief Instructor
T: 604-456-1262
E: mike_mckoryk@bcit.ca
Henry Ostermann, Faculty
Metal Fabrication TQ
T: 604-451-6833
E: henry_ostermann@bcit.ca
Peter Thomas, Faculty
Metal Fabrication IP, Med, BCIDP
T: 604-431-4934
E: peter_c_thomas@bcit.ca
Mike McKoryk, Chief Instructor
T: 604-456-1262
E: mike_mckoryk@bcit.ca
Please ensure you have reviewed the detailed information on this site, using the navigation to the right, before submitting the form below.
As well, if you meet any of the following criteria, please follow the links for more information, instead of sending the form:
Sign up to receive updates, invitations to events, and information about BCIT and your program.
We promise not to spam you, we won’t share your personal information, and you can unsubscribe at any time.
Programs and courses are subject to change without notice.