Joinery certificate
Entry–level trades training

At UCFV, we can help put together the framework for a successful joinery career. The Joinery program will prepare students for entry into the provincial apprenticeship program, as well as directly into employment. Students will get a thorough introduction to the trade, and develop skills expected by employers.
    Theory and shop procedures are set up to simulate job conditions, so punctuality and good work habits are essential. This program is part of the entry-level provincial standard taught throughout B.C.
Employment opportunities
    After successfully completing the program, students will be prepared for employment opportunities that exist in the cabinet industry and related businesses such as interior finishing and trimming, furniture manufacturing, cottage industries, and van interior customizing. A career in the joinery trade offers good opportunities for those who are willing to spend several years learning the trade.

Program outline
The Joinery program starts in September and ends approximately the end of June.
    Students must show that they understand the written part by successfully completing a written test at the end of each unit, and then applying it to an acceptable level of practical skills as assigned in that unit.
    Students will be working with the help of learning packages that will give step-by-step instructions. The learning materials may include printed worksheets, videotapes, display boards, lab manuals, and instructions, demonstrations and/or lectures.
    At regular stages students will be required to move to a shop or lab area to perform various tasks in order to develop their practical skills. Practical hands-on training as part of the total plan will increase as the student progresses through the program, and should amount to about two-thirds of the overall training time.
    As much as possible, study lab and shop instruction is patterned after “on-the-job” situations, where a limited amount of direct supervision is required. The training follows a modular system that begins by developing a wide variety of basic skills, and builds on these to develop intermediate and specialized skills required in this industry.
    The modular curriculum provides a flexible learning path, allowing accelerated learning opportunities for those entering the program with a greater experience or skill level. This performance-paced process allows the student an accelerated completion time and/or an opportunity to develop higher levels of expertise in any area of the program.

Sample topics:
    • Reading and interpreting drawings
    • Using joinery shop equipment
    • Applying layout techniques
    • Assembling cabinets
    • Applying finishes
    • Installing hardware
    • Technical Communications 115 (three academic credits).

All unit tests and assigned practicals must be completed with a passing grade before writing the final exam, which is scheduled in June.

General information
The Joinery program is located in the Trades & Technology Centre at the Abbotsford campus, which is open 8:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., Monday to Friday. Classes and shops are in session 7:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., Monday to Friday.

Entrance requirements
1. B.C. Secondary school graduation or equivalent

2. A math and reading comprehension entrance exam.

How to apply
1. Submit a UCFV application form, along with the $45 application fee to the Admissions and Records office. Students currently in Grade 12 may apply beginning in January of their Grade 12 year. A statement from the school counsellor or principal, indicating that you are likely to meet graduation requirements by June, must be included with the application.

2. You will be notified of your entrance exam date by the Trades and Technology department. If you have not been contacted within two weeks call 604-854-4548. There is no fee for writing these exams.

3. Read the program description and information carefully. If you wish to speak to the instructor, call Richard Janssen at 604-504-7441, local 4386.

4. Prior to the classes starting in September, students will be notified by telephone of the registration procedures. Students who cannot be reached by telephone after three attempts will be removed from the program wait list.

Fees and other expenses
Fees stated are in effect for 2004/05 and are subject to change for 2005/06.
    The program fees are approximately $100 per week, which includes the tuition fees plus 10% of the tuition for ancillary fees. In addition, each semester (fall, winter, and spring) students will pay a $25 Student Union Society membership fee of $25 and a $4.50 Cascade student newspaper fee. Full payment of fees is required before the start of classes each semester, by the beginning of September, January, and April.
Note: A deposit (currently $150) must be paid at the time of registration, which typically takes place one or two months before the start of each semester.
    Joinery students should also budget approximately $350 for basic hand tools, $725 for required textbooks, and $85 for appropriate working apparel.
 

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