Why earn your Electronics Technician Common Core certificate?
What will I get out of UFV's program?
What type of career can I expect?
What exactly will I learn?
Sounds good. What do I need to get in?
When should I apply?
How much will it cost?
Anything else I need to know?
Is there an upgrading option?
I'm interested. What do I do next?
Can I speak with someone about my options?

Why earn your Electronics Technician Common Core certificate?
You’re analytical, like to troubleshoot, and love to take things apart and put them back together again. Anything electronic fascinates you and you have a knack for fixing things. Now it’s time to combine those skills and make a great a career out of them.

What will I get out of UFV’s program? 
Our program is designed to prepare you, whether you have an electronics background or not, for a range of entry-level technical service positions. After 10 months, you’ll graduate from standardized training with the skills and knowledge required by those working in the electronics industry. Along with the fundamental skills, you will learn how to troubleshoot, repair, and build analog and digital circuits. Our program has an industry-led advisory committee that ensures we’re teaching top-notch, up-to-date information. The program is also recognized by the International Electronics Technician Articulation Committee, which means as a successful graduate, you’ll have national and global mobility when looking for work or to further your education.

UFV’s Electronics Technician Common Core program is the prerequisite for advanced electronic technician specialty programs at post-secondary institutions across B.C. and around the world.

What type of career can I expect?
Technology has made the world seem smaller and with this increasing globalization and the trend toward computerization and other forms of electronic automation, there will be no shortage of electronics technician jobs.

Once you’ve graduated, you might find a career with:

• manufacturers of electronic equipment
• telecommunication centres
• instrumentation service centres
• business equipment service centres
• cable companies
• commercial sound companies

 


What exactly will I learn?
As an electronics technician you’ll learn how to use multimeters, circuit testers, oscilloscopes, logic probes, and other diagnostic equipment to locate circuit, component, and equipment faults. You’ll also learn how to adjust, install, and repair complex systems while following equipment manuals. UFV combines hands-on lab work with classroom-based lectures, group activities, reading assignments, and practice
problems. As a successful grad, you might choose to continue your education while specializing in any number of diverse fields such as business equipment, computer hardware and networking, industrial instrumentation, telecommunications, and more.

 UFV’s Electronic Technician Common Core program is organized into the following areas of concentrations:

• Introduction to AC and DC Circuits
• Discrete Semiconductor Circuits
• Linear Electronic Circuits
• Digital Electronic Circuits
• Microprocessors/Microcontrollers

Sounds good. What do I need to get in?
You’ll need your B.C. secondary school graduation or equivalent and must pass one of the following:  Apprenticeship and Workplace Mathematics 11, Foundation Mathematics 11, Application of Mathematics 11, Principles of Mathematics 11, Pre-Calculus 11 or UFV’s MATH 085. If you think you have the equivalent courses or acceptable technical background, you can contact the instructor at 1-888-504-7441, local 5429.

When should I apply?
Applications are accepted on a continuous basis throughout the year. Qualified applicants are considered for the next intake in which there is space.

How much will it cost? Can I afford to take this program?
Expect to pay program fees of about $115.01 per week; this covers tuition plus 10% of the tuition for ancillary fees. As an Electronics Technician student, you should also budget about $200 for your basic hand tools, and $990 for required textbooks. We require a deposit (currently $200) to be paid when you register, which typically takes place one or two months before the start of each semester. The balance of your fees must be paid by the second week of the semester.
 
In addition, each semester (fall and winter) you will be required to pay a $30 Student Union Society membership fee, a $35 SUS Capital fee, $4.50 Cascade student newspaper fee, a $3 per semester radio station fee and a $40 U-Pass fee . A health and dental fee (160 is charged annually each fall semester to students to provide extended medical and dental insurance. You can check with the Student Union Society or at www.IHaveAPlan.ca for details.

It’s also worth a visit to the UFV financial aid and awards office, which facilitates the disbursement each year of approximately $12 million in federal and provincial student loans, grants, bursaries, scholarships, and awards to UFV students. A helpful budget planning worksheet is available online at www.ufv.ca/fineaid/budget

Anything else I need to know? 
Due to the nature of electronics, you need to be well organized and will develop a systematic approach to evaluating or troubleshooting electronic systems. You’ll also need to have good hand-eye coordination and manual dexterity. If you’re colour-blind, this might not be the career for you as it might prove to be restrictive in training and possible employment.

Our Electronics Technician program is located in the Trades and Technology centre at the Canada Education Park in Chilliwack, which is open 8 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. weekdays. Classes and shops are in session 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., Monday to Friday. The 10-month program runs from September to June and your continuous attendance is required throughout both semesters. You are expected to attend classes five days per week for the duration of the entire program. If you fail to meet the attendance requirements as outlined in your individual program guide, you might be subject to a failing grade or academic warning.

Is there an upgrading option? 
You have a busy life and we realize that. That’s where our upgrading program comes in. Our upgrading program allows you, if you’re currently or recently employed in the industry, to complete your certificate requirements or to become proficient in a specific process or technique. As an upgrading student, you are expected to meet program prerequisites through previous enrolment or proof of industry experience that must be approved by the program instructor. And while we’ll welcome you as an upgrading student, you cannot be enrolled for more than 13 weeks. It’s important to know that upgrading students cannot displace anyone registered in the next intake.

I’m interested. What do I do next?
Check out UFV’s online calendar at www.ufv.ca/calendar. Read the Electronics Technician program description and information carefully. If you wish to contact the instructor, call Randy Kelley at 1-888-504-7441, local 5429 or email electronics@ufv.ca. Next, you can download an application form and submit it, along with the $45 application fee, to any UFV Admissions and Records office. You can also transmit it through the Internet at www.pas.bc.ca.

If you’re currently in Grade 12, you can apply now, but we require a statement from your school counsellor or principal indicating that you are likely to meet graduation requirements by June. If you have not been contacted within two weeks of submitting your application, then call us at 604-847-5448. Before classes start, you’ll be called and given all the registration procedures. If we can’t reach you after three attempts, you’ll be removed from the waitlist.

Can I speak with someone about my options?
Yes! We want to hear from you! If you’re unsure of your direction, contact Student Services at 1-888-504-7441 to arrange a tour, attend a Becoming a Student info session, connect with an educational advisor, or arrange for career counselling. You can also contact the Trades and Technology centre directly at 604-847-5448 or email trades@ufv.ca to get more details.