Applied and Technical Studies

Joinery certificate

Entry-level trades training

At UFV, 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 will be encouraged to develop creative skills when designing and building their shop projects. As well as learning to work with traditional hand and power tools, students will be introduced to the type of equipment found in today’s commercial woodshops, such as CNC Routers, Edgebander, multi head boring machine, and wide belt thickness sander.

Theory and shop procedures are set up to simulate job conditions, so punctuality and good work habits are essential. Upon completion of this program students will receive credit for Level 1 Joinery and will be eligible to challenge the ITA standard level exam to receive credit for Yr 2.

Concurrent studies option

UFV allows high school students to complete this program through a concurrent studies model during their grade 12 year. For more information, contact your district/school career counsellor. You may also contact the UFV Trades & Technology Centre at 604-847-5448 or email trades@ufv.ca.

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, and cottage industries. A career in the joinery trade offers good opportunities for those who are willing to spend several years learning the trade.

Entrance requirements

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

2. Successful completion of a math and reading comprehension entrance exam.

When to apply

Applications are accepted on a continuous basis throughout the year. Qualified applicants are considered for the next intake in which there is space. See Continuous application process for more information.

How to apply

1. Apply online at ufv.ca/admissions/admissions/apply. Applicants currently in Grade 12 may apply during 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 presented at the time of entrance exam appointment.

2. Applicants will be notified of entrance exam dates by the Trades & Technology Centre. Applicants who have not been contacted within two weeks of submission of their applications should call 604-847-5448.

3. Read the program description and information carefully. If you require more information, please contact the Trades & Technology Centre at 604-847-5448 or trades@ufv.ca.

4. Prior to classes starting, applicants will be notified by telephone of the registration procedures. Applicants who cannot be reached by telephone after three attempts will be removed from the wait list.

Basis for admission decision

Applicants who meet the entrance requirements will be admitted in order of their application date. This date is set when an application, all required documentation, and the application fee have been submitted.

Fees and additional costs

See the Fees and Other Costs section. Joinery students should also budget approximately $350 for basic hand tools, $675 for required textbooks, and $85 for appropriate working apparel.

Note: A deposit (currently $200) must be paid at the time of registration, which typically takes place one or two months before the start of the program. The balance of fees must be paid by the end of the second week of classes.

Medical requirement

A medical statement from a qualified physician may be required at any time before or during the program. Students will be notified by a UFV official if/when the statement is required.

Location

The Joinery program is located in the Trades & Technology Centre at the Canada Education Park in Chilliwack. The reception centre is open 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday to Friday. Classes and shops are in session 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., Monday to Friday.

Dates and attendance requirements

The Joinery program starts in September and ends mid-May.

The program is performance-paced. This performance-paced process allow students an accelerated completion time and/or an opportunity to develop higher levels of expertise in any area of the program. However, for all students the maximum program length will be enforced as stated under Dates and Attendance Requirements.

Students must meet the attendance requirements as outlined in their individual program guides. See UFV's Attendance policy (62).

Program requirements

Students must complete all requirements with a minimum of 70% or better to receive a Credit (CR) grade in order to graduate.

Students who do not receive a Credit (CR) grade in all required areas by the program end date, may apply to their instructor for re-entry into the program. Students who reapply may register as upgrading students and must complete all program requirements no later than the program end date of the following year. See upgrading policy for more details.

Graduation

Students must apply for graduation by completing a Graduation Request form available at ufv.ca/admissions/forms.

Attendance and conduct

Unacceptable academic performance may, at the discretion of the instructor, include poor attendance, slow progress in theory and practical tasks, and/or lack of satisfactory participation in class activities. See UFV's Attendance policy (62).

Applied and Technical Studies students are expected to conduct themselves in a mature and responsible manner, and will be held responsible for their actions, whether acting alone or in group. See UFV's Student Academic Misconduct policy (70) and Student Non-Academic Misconduct policy (204).

Withdrawal

Student-initiated withdrawal (discontinuing)

If a student wishes not to continue, he or she will need to initiate a withdrawal at the Office of the Registrar.

Required to withdraw

Failed grades may result in withdrawal from the program. Students may be required to withdraw from a course or program for failing to comply with attendance, conduct, or program policies, or UFV policies including: Attendance policy (62), Student Academic Misconduct policy (70), Student Non-Academic Misconduct policy (204).

Upgrading

The upgrading program allows those currently or recently employed in the industry to complete their certificate requirements or to become proficient in specific processes or techniques.

An upgrading student will be enrolled for no more than 13 weeks. Upgrading students will not displace anyone registered in the next intake.

Upgrading students are expected to meet program prerequisites through previous enrolment or proof of industry experience approved by the program instructor.

Re-admission

Students who begin a trades program, but withdraw before completing the program, may contact the department to request re-entry to the program provided their absence is less than two years. Re-entry is subject to space availability.

If you are absent more than two years you will be required to apply for re-admission.

An Application for admission form and Application fee will be required
Applied and Technical Studies entrance exams will need to be retaken

Program outline

The Joinery program starts in September and ends mid-May.

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.

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.

Sample topics

Reading and interpreting drawings
Using joinery shop equipment
Applying layout techniques
Assembling cabinets
Applying finishes
Installing hardware

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