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5 courses

Construction & Building Trades

British Columbia’s construction sector is one of the busiest in Canada. Our construction workshops put you on the tools from week one — measuring, cutting, joining, wiring and welding under the supervision of tradespeople who have worked on Island projects for decades.

Courses in this area

Choose your construction trades course

All 5 courses run for 12 weeks and are delivered in-person training at our Nanaimo campus.

Carpentry Fundamentals

Hand and power tools, framing, formwork and finishing carpentry in a full-scale workshop.

  • Set out and frame a load-bearing wall from a working drawing
  • Select, use and maintain carpentry hand and power tools safely
  • Interpret residential construction drawings and specifications
  • Estimate materials and cutting lists for a small structure

Leads to roles like

  • Carpenter’s helper
  • Framing labourer
  • Renovation assistant

Residential Electrical Basics

Circuits, wiring methods and code awareness for residential electrical work.

  • Wire lighting and receptacle circuits on a practice board to code layout
  • Use a multimeter and clamp meter to test and troubleshoot circuits
  • Explain grounding and bonding and why they matter
  • Work safely around energised and de-energised systems

Leads to roles like

  • Electrician’s helper
  • Maintenance assistant
  • Low-voltage installer

Plumbing & Pipefitting

Copper, PEX and ABS systems: cutting, joining, testing and fixture installation.

  • Produce leak-free soldered and mechanical joints
  • Rough-in a small bathroom supply and drainage system
  • Install and commission common plumbing fixtures
  • Diagnose and repair common leaks and blockages

Leads to roles like

  • Plumber’s helper
  • Pipefitting labourer
  • Building maintenance assistant

Welding & Metal Fabrication

SMAW and GMAW welding, cutting and basic fabrication in a ventilated booth workshop.

  • Produce sound fillet and groove welds in flat and horizontal positions
  • Set up SMAW and GMAW equipment correctly for a given joint
  • Cut and prepare steel accurately using oxy-fuel and plasma
  • Identify common weld defects and their causes

Leads to roles like

  • Welder’s helper
  • Fabrication shop assistant
  • Metal shop labourer

Construction Site Safety & Supervision

WorkSafeBC-aligned hazard control, toolbox talks and frontline supervision skills.

  • Complete a field-level hazard assessment for a live task
  • Deliver a clear, credible toolbox safety talk
  • Apply the hierarchy of controls to real site hazards
  • Write an incident report that stands up to review

Leads to roles like

  • Site safety assistant
  • Working foreman trainee
  • Health & safety coordinator assistant

Applications are open for October 2026

Twelve weeks, in person, on the tools. Submit your application in about fifteen minutes — no documents to upload.

12 weeks · In-person training · Study permit not required — attend on a visitor visa