Carpenter Foundation

The 24-week Carpenter Foundation (pre-apprenticeship) program provides students with the skills, knowledge and training necessary to enter the various sectors of the construction industry (residential, light commercial, light industrial or the heavy construction) and covers the program competencies for Level 1 of the four-level Carpenter Apprenticeship program. Content covered includes construction drawings, building codes and bylaws, hand tools, portable and stationary power tools, ladders and scaffolds, concrete formwork, work frame construction as well as survey instruments and equipment. The program includes classroom theory, demonstrations, and practical hands-on training in a carpenter workshop setting.

In this program, you will learn about:

• Safe Work Practices
• Documentation and Organizational Skills
• Using tools and equipment
• Using survey instruments and equipment
• Using access, rigging, and hoisting equipment
• Performing site layout
• Concrete Formwork
• Building with wood frame construction
• Applying building science

Admission Requirements and Program Overview

View admission requirements, program completion requirements and individual course information.

Note: The information for this program is currently set to display information for the 2026/27 academic year. To view other years, choose from the sort feature from the “select calendar” drop-down.

View or download the pdf version of the official program outline.

You will also take:

• Basic First Aid
• Workplace Hazardous Materials Information Systems
• Fall Protection

*Students must complete Basic First Aid within the program or have a current Basic First Aid certificate valid to the end of the program.

When you successfully complete the program, you will receive these credits: 

• Level 1 Technical Training credit from SkilledTradesBC of the 4 Level Carpenter Apprenticeship program
• Certificate of Completion Carpenter Foundation from SkilledTradesBC
• College of the Rockies Certificate
• Credit for 450 Work-based Training hours from SkilledTradesBC

For the 2026/27 academic year (2026/SU, 2026/FA, 2027/WI, 2027/SP)

_{*Tuition and Fees for domestic students are estimates and are subject to change. Depending on course electives there may be additional lab fees. Tuition and Fees do not include textbook costs or supplies. Tuition fees include student technology fees, student activity fees, and alumni fees. For more information, visit: Tuition and Fees.}

Additional Student Costs for Personal Protective Equipment and Supplies:

• Safety-toed leather work boots
• Safety glasses
• Coveralls/carpenter’s apron
• Gloves
• Pens, pencils, three-ring binder, paper
• Calculator

As a Carpenter, you can choose from a wide variety of job opportunities with:

• Construction companies
• Carpenter contractors
• Maintenance departments in factories or plants
• Cabinet makers
• Disaster restoration companies

With further education and/or experience, you could move into a supervisor or general manager position for commercial projects – or even own your own construction company!

Gain insights into job expectations, career prospects, salary, and additional information through WorkBC.