Foundation Certificate in Residential Construction Carpenter Enhanced Program (Carpenter Level 1 and 2)
Learn the carpentry skills you need to start working in the field and prepare for apprenticeship in our foundation program, where you’ll spend about 70 per cent of your time doing hands-on practical work.
What you'll learn
- Learn to use hand tools, power tools and other specialty equipment used by carpenters.
- Gain familiarity working with carpentry building materials like lumber, panel products, concrete, roofing, fasteners and hardware.
- Learn to build numerous projects including stairs, concrete forms, and framing for floors, walls and roofs.
Requirements
- High school graduation (or equivalent) or mature student status
- English 11 with a minimum grade of C (or equivalent)
- Math 11 with a minimum grade of C or equivalent
What you'll graduate with
- TRU Carpentry Foundation Certificate
- The in-school technical training required for Level 1 and 2 Apprenticeships
- 450 work-based hours towards Red Seal Certification
Next program intakes
Kamloops
July 7, 2025 to February 13, 2026
Limited Space
Williams Lake
July 7, 2025 to February 13, 2026
Available
"The Canadian Home Builders Association Central Interior (CHBA CI) is proud to have partnered with TRU for the past 30 years on the Training House program. We have seen students come full circle with gaining hands-on training on a project to then joining as members of our association."
- Rose Choy, Executive Director
Canadian Home Builders Association Central Interior
Apprenticeship programYour Path to Red Seal Certification
Apprenticeship provides carpentry certification through work-based on-the-job training and in-school technical training. Employers sponsor students for the work-based training and TRU offers the in-school technical training for levels 1, 2, 3 and 4 of your apprenticeship. Each level consists of seven weeks of on-campus training, and the Foundation program provides both the on-the-job and in-school training for levels 1 and 2. Once you’ve completed all four levels and the required work-based hours, you’ll receive a certification of qualification in carpentry and qualify to write the inter-provincial Red Seal Certification exam.
Requirements
- Sponsored by an employer registered by SkilledTradesBC
- Must be in good physical health
Apprenticeship training dates
| From | To | Location | Availability (updated weekly) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carpenter (Harmonized) - Level 1 | September 15, 2025 | October 31, 2025 | Kamloops | Available |
| Carpenter (Harmonized) - Level 2 | November 3, 2025 | December 19, 2025 | Kamloops | Available |
| Carpenter (Harmonized) - Level 4 | November 3, 2025 | December 19, 2025 | Kamloops | Available |
| Carpenter (Harmonized) - Level 1 | January 5, 2026 | February 20, 2026 | Kamloops | Available |
| Carpenter (Harmonized) - Level 3 | January 19, 2026 | March 6, 2026 | Kamloops | Available |
| Carpenter (Harmonized) - Level 2 | March 9, 2026 | April 24, 2026 | Kamloops | Available |
| Carpenter (Harmonized) - Level 4 | March 9, 2026 | April 24, 2026 | Kamloops | Available |
Costs
Fees are are subject to change.
Costs include items such as student/ancillary fees, books, personal tools and safety gear, which are kept by students when they graduate from the program.
General
| Application fee | $32.27 |
| Accuplacer exam fee | $38.00 plus GST |
| Accuplacer rewrites | $25.00 plus GST |
| Parking (parking website) | $2.50 (pass) Motorcycle $5 per day |
Foundation
| Tuition | $3,342.67 |
| Student and lab fees | $1,154.66 |
| Learning guides and/or textbooks | $567.00 |
| Health and Dental Plan | $248.00 |
| Tools | $150.00 |
| CSA work boots and clear safety glasses | $200.00 |
| Calculator, 3-ring binder, paper, pens, etc. | $50.00 |
| Total | $5,712.33 |
Apprenticeship
The in-school technical training costs are based on the number of weeks you need, with each apprenticeship level requiring seven weeks.
Carpentry apprentices must purchase the required textbooks and provincial competency manuals. Students must have a current copy of the BC Building Code.
| Seven weeks tuition and fees | $921.79 |
Questions about this program?
We're here to provide more information
Inquiries and Advising
Phone: 250-392-8000
Email: wladvising@tru.ca
Admissions
Phone: 250-392-8020
Email: wladmissions@tru.ca
Apprenticeships
Email: apprenticeship@tru.ca
Community involvement
In addition to building the Carpentry Workshop at the Williams Lake campus, students have been involved in local home construction and have worked with the Williams Lake Fire Department to build a display building for the fully restored 1930s fire truck. In the near future, TRU looks forward to working with the Williams Lake Stampede Association to build a similar structure for one of the few original BX Stagecoaches in existence.
How to ApplyY Dream Home A partnership between TRU and the CHBA CI
The Y Dream Home is a partnership between TRU and the Canadian Home Builders’ Association Central Interior (CHBA CI). First year residential construction, electrical and plumbing program students from the School of Trades and Technology get hands-on building experience on the training house, and sale of the house by the CHBA CI supports community initiatives.
