Apprenticeship in BC

You must follow a series of steps to become an apprentice, complete your training—both in-class and practical—and then receive your certification.

1. Determine what trade you want to work in.
   • For a full list of designated trades in British Columbia, visit Find Your Trade | SkilledTradesBC. 
   • Many colleges offer pre-apprentice or pre-employment programs, which can help you gain exposure to a trade you are interested in. Depending on the program, you may also earn credits toward your first-year apprenticeship.
2. Find an employer
   • You need to find an employer who will hire you as an apprentice in your chosen field and register your apprenticeship with Skilled Trades BC. If you are looking for employment, please visit our CLAC Jobs page.
3. Work the required number of hours in your field through work-based training.
   • Hours on site typically range from 1,500 to 1,600 hours per level, depending on your trade. 
4. Register for and complete technical training at a recognized training provider.
   • Technical training is generally seven to eight weeks per level. Learn more about the minimum entrance requirements for technical training. 
5. Repeat steps 3 and 4 for each year required to complete your apprenticeship.
   • Most apprenticeships require three to five years to complete.  
6. (Optional) After completing your final year of technical training, you’ll have obtained Journeyperson status and can challenge the Interprovincial Red Seal Exam.
   • Trades certifications are governed provincially. To have your ticket recognized in other provinces, you can challenge the Red Seal exam. Obtaining your Red Seal is also beneficial even if you don’t intend on leaving the province, as it is an added mark of competency on top of your journeyperson ticket.

You can apply for technical training through Trades Training BC - All Available Trade Programs. In it, you can view all approved technical training institutions in your trade across British Columbia, and all dates available for technical training

The following courses are recommended in British Columbia when pursuing a career in the skilled trades: 

• Math 11
• Physics 11
• English or Communications 12
• Foundation Program

The minimum education recommendations are: 

• English 10, Science 10, and Math 10

Please note the educational recommendations will vary from trade to trade. Visit Trades Training BC - All Available Trade Programs for a complete list of the education required for each specific trade.

What costs are covered?
Up to $1150* per claim (maximum of two claims paid per calendar year) for course, exam, and book costs for apprenticeship programs and trade qualification exams.

Who can apply?
You are eligible to apply when:

• You are a member in good standing of CLAC Local 68. A member in good standing is a person who:
  • has completed a CLAC membership application;
  • has been granted a current CLAC membership card; and
  • has their CLAC union dues paid up to date.
• You have worked at least 1,500 hours per claim (within the last five years) with a CLAC signatory employer who contributes to a CLAC apprenticeship education-related fund. Check your collective agreement or ask your steward or representative if your employer contributes.
• You have an official course document to show that you have passed your final exam.
• You can provide CLAC with receipts for course, exam, and book costs.
• You have worked for a CLAC signatory employer prior to and following completion of your schooling.

How do I apply?
Please complete the Apprenticeship Reimbursement Form found in your myCLAC account and email the form to apprenticeshipwest@clac.ca.
 

More detailed information on reimbursement eligibility can be found on the Apprenticeship Reimbursement Form (found in your myCLAC account).

*CLAC increased the tuition reimbursement amount from $850 to $1,150 effective February 1, 2025. Apprentices are eligible for this amount if they successfully complete school or a challenge exam after February 1, 2025. The $850 rate remains for eligible applicants who concluded schooling before that date.

Each year, CLAC distributes several awards to apprentices in the construction trades who strive to excel and who are dedicated to becoming journeypersons in their trades. One award is for apprentices who have completed at least their second block of apprenticeship trades school, while the other is for apprentices who have competed in a Skills Canada provincial or national competition.

• Tradesperson’s Tools deduction If you have purchased eligible tools to earn employment income as a tradesperson or apprentice, you may be able to deduct their cost, including any goods and services tax (GST), provincial sales tax (PST) or harmonized sales tax (HST) you paid.
• Tuition Tax Credit and licensing examination fees If you have eligible tuition fees, as well as certain licensing examination fees, you may be able to claim them on your income tax and benefits return.
• Education amount If you have received a tax certificate from your educational institution, you may be able to claim the education amount.
• Textbook amount If you qualify for either the full-time or part-time education amounts, you may also be able to claim the textbook tax credit

Apprentices registered in a Red Seal trade apprenticeship program can receive up to $4,000 in Canada Apprentice Loans per period of technical training. You can receive these loans for up to five periods of technical training. Your loan will be interest-free for up to six years as long as you are confirmed as being registered in a Red Seal trade apprenticeship program. You do not have to make any loan payments while your loan is in interest-free status.

The training tax credit provides refundable income tax credits for apprentices enrolled in programs administered through SkilledTradesBC. Budget 2024 extended the training tax credit for apprentices by one year to December 31, 2025.

Learn more

The institution that you attend for technical training may offer additional scholarships and bursaries. Check out your school’s website to learn what is available.

Unlike other post-secondary students, an apprentice can collect employment insurance (EI) while attending technical training.

You can apply for EI online no more than seven days before your last day of work. You will need an employment insurance reference code to access the apprentice application form. You will find this code on your registration confirmation letter.

Be aware that you may not receive EI payments for up to four to six weeks after you start classes. Plan to have alternative financial arrangements in place during this time.