
Carpentry Foundation
Months: 6
Start Date: Jan 27, 2025 - July 11, 2025
Credits: 24
Location: NIC Courtenay
Entrance: Pass English 10, Math 10
Recommended classes to take:
Woodwork, Youth Explore Skills Course, Drafting, SD71 Construction Trades Sampler

Electrical Foundation
Months: 6
Start Date: September 3 2024 - Feb 21, 2025 & Jan 27, 2025 - July 11, 2025
Credits: 24
Location: NIC Campbell River
Entrance: C+ English 11, C+ PREC11 or FOM11
Recommended classes to take:
Electronics, Physics 11, Youth Explore Skills Course, Electronics, Construction Trades Sampler

Plumbing & Pipefitting Foundation
Months: 6
Start Date: February 3, 2025 - July 17, 2025
Credits: 24
Location: NIC Comox Valley
Entrance: Pass English 10 & Math 10
Recommended classes to take:
Metalwork, Youth Explore Skills Course, Drafting, Construction Trades Sampler

epprentice Cook
Months: 5
Start Date: Available 2025-2026
Credits: 20
Location: TBD
Entrance: Pass English 10 & Math 10, Food Safe
Recommended classes to take:
Home-Ec courses or Cafeteria (Vanier) PLUS be working in a Restaurant

Hair Dressing
Months: 5
Start Date: Jan 2025 - June 2025
Credits: 24
Location: Foundation Hair Salon and Academy, Courtenay
Entrance: English 12 & all other grad requirements
Recommended classes to take:
Business/Tourism related courses, Art or Graphic courses, Chemistry 11 (not mandatory)

Fabricator-Welder Foundation
Months: 8
Start Date: September 3, 2024 - April 17, 2025
Credits: 32
Location: NIC Campbell River
Entrance: Pass English 10 & Math 10
Recommend:
Metalwork, Drafting, Metal Trades Sampler

Automotive Service Technician Foundation
Months: 8
Start Date: September 3, 2024 - April 10, 2025
Credits: 32
Location: NIC Campbell River
Entrance: Pass English 10, Pass Math 10
Recommended classes to take:
Auto, Metal, Electronics, Transportation Sampler

Instrumentation and Electrical Automation Technician
Months: 10
Start Date: Available 2025-2026
Credits: 40
Location: NIC Campbell River
Entrance: C+ English 12, C+ Math 11
Recommend classes to take:
Physics 12, Electronics/Robotics, Youth Explore Skills Course, Construction Sampler

Heavy Duty Mechanics
Months: 9
Start Date: September 3, 2024 - May 16, 2025 & February 2, 2025 - Oct 10, 2025
Credits: 36
Location: NIC Campbell River
Entrance: Pass English 10 & Math 10
Recommend classes to take:
Automotive, Metalwork, Electronics, Transportation Sampler

Welding Foundation
Months: 7
Start Date: September 3, 2024 - March 20, 2025 & February 3, 2025 - August 14, 2025
Credits: 28
Location: NIC Campbell River
Entrance: Pass English 10 & Math 10
Recommended classes to take:
Metalwork, Drafting, Metal Trades Sampler
Comox Valley Schools in partnership with North Island College, Camosun College, Foundation Salon & Academy, Vancouver Community College, and Vancouver Island University and SkilledTradesBC (formerly the Industry Training Authority or ITA) offers many Trade Sampler, Train in Trades and Work In Trades programs for our school aged students.
TRADES SAMPLERS are a great way for students in grade 11 and/or 12 to gain experience and sample a variety of trades before committing to a full Youth Train in Trades program at a post secondary institution. The following Trades Samplers are offered in Comox Valley schools;
- Construction Trades Sampler – G.P. Vanier Secondary
- Transportation Trades Sampler – G.P. Vanier Secondary
- Metal Mechanical Trades Sampler – Mark R. Isfeld Secondary
TRAIN IN TRADES PROGRAMS are full time programs offered by a Post Secondary Institution and follow the SkilledTradesBC (formerly the Industry Training Authority or ITA) curriculum. Typically, most students enter the Train in Trades programs in Semester 2 of their Grade 12 year. However, some motivated students that have planned accordingly may also enter the program in September of Grade 12 (ie take English 12 in Semester 2 of their grade 11 year). Entry at the beginning of Grade 12 is needed for certain programs such as; Aircraft Structures, Auto Service Technician, Electronics Core (with Electrical) and Heavy Mechanical Foundation as they are typically only offered with a September start.
Comox Valley Schools SPONSORS THE TUITION for these programs but does not cover any other fees. For full information about each program, please visit their individual pages.
The Ministry Of Education has changed it funding model and SD71 will NO LONGER BE ABLE TO SPONSOR students past Grade 12 by paying their tuition unless their is an exceptional circumstance that has been pre-approved by the Ministry of Education well in advance.
YOUTH WORK IN TRADES (WRK 11A, 11B, 12A, 12B) allows students to begin the process of apprenticeship while still in school. As an YWT student, you’ll “earn while you learn” and graduate from the YWT program with 16 high-school credits and 480 work-based training hours that count towards your trade credential. There is also the potential of a $1000 award.
Contact Tammy.Williamson@sd71.bc.ca if you are currently working with a with a journey person who would be willing to work with you as an apprentice.
YOUTH WORK IN TRADES (WRK 11A, 11B, 12A, 12B) allows students to begin the process of apprenticeship while still in school. As an YWT student, you’ll “earn while you learn” and graduate from the YWT program with 16 high-school credits and 480 work-based training hours that count towards your trade credential. There is also the potential of a $1000 scholarship.
Contact Tammy.Williamson@sd71.bc.ca if you are currently working with a with a journey person who would be willing to work with you as an apprentice.