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Learn more about the Construction Electrician Foundation program at Vancouver Career College.
The demand for qualified electricians continues to grow. Vancouver Career College's Construction Electrician Foundation diploma program will prepare you to enter an electrical apprenticeship with the skills and knowledge you need to succeed.
This intensive program covers the fundamentals of electrical work and common topics like electrical circuits, technical drawings, and codes. Safety practices and regulations are also covered, including the Workers Compensation Act and safe work practices.
Studying under industry-experienced instructors, you'll learn in labs and shops and then put your training into practice during an on-the-job practicum placement.
Admission Requirements
Students must meet all of the pre-requisites listed below, meet their financial obligations with the college, and acknowledge their understanding of the college’s policies and procedures provided in the student handbook, prior to starting classes.
Students are provided with the tools and materials needed to complete their training; however, they will require to provide their own appropriate clothing and steel-toed boots which is described during orientation.
The Industry Training Authority (ITA) recommends the following education for apprentices entering this occupation. These are not pre-requisites, but rather a desired level of skill or knowledge that will contribute to the success in the industry.
Individuals who complete the Construction Electrician Foundation program (college program and ITA exam) will receive the following credit toward completion of the Construction Electrician apprenticeship program:
Vancouver Career College has been granted Industry Training Authority (ITA) Designation for the delivery of Construction electrician Foundation program.
In conjunction with the Industry Training Authority (ITA), a combination of the college diploma’s final grade with the ITA standardized written exam is required to earn the Construction Electrician – Certificate of Completion, the first stage on the apprenticeship pathway leading to apprenticeship in this trade. For more information, please visit www.itabc.ca.
This program has been approved by the registrar of the Private Training Institutions Branch (PTIB) of the Ministry of Advanced Education and Skills Training.
Learn more about the Construction Electrician Foundation program at Vancouver Career College.
In this 2-week, 60-hour observation practicum, students will study one child’s speech and language development in a licensed childcare centre for children who are between the ages of 2.5 years and 5 years of age. Following the assignment guidelines, students will use several observation methods to capture this specific child’s developing speech and language. Using the information gathered from these observations the students plan three developmentally appropriate speech and language activities that would enhance this child’s speech and language abilities. Implementation of these activities is optional. Throughout these two weeks, students are to attend two 2.5 hour practicum seminars.
Essential Skills are to help the students develop the essential skills they need to prepare for the technical training part of their apprenticeship. Essential Skills include reading, numeracy, using documents like blueprints as well as using computers. The students will utilize these basic skills to build technical skills.
This course includes a review of math components required as a foundation to understanding the basic construction principles. The course consists of a mathematical review of working with whole numbers, common and decimal fractions, percentages, averages and estimates, powers and roots, ratios and proportions, units of measure trigonometry and formulas. Students will begin applying these mathematical concepts to working with metric and imperial units, work, power, energy torque and the use of simple machines.
Professional responsibilities and the roles of Early Childhood Educators will be explored. The hierarchy and communication among family-based team members as well as the role of staffing will be addressed. Students will also learn about legal and ethical practice issues, the role of confidentiality, acceptable behaviours and standards of care.
Special topics will include practices of ECE for immigrant and refugee children in BC, application of the Code of Ethics, and the function of the Child Care Resource & Referral Program in communities across BC.
The aerial platform section will be taught off site at a specialized training facility. It will cover Occupational Health & Safety Regulations, documentation, Work Place Hazard Assessment, preshift equipment inspection, hydraulic systems, electrical systems, scissor lift structure, safety devices, principals of stability and safe operation. The aerial platform section of this course will conclude in both an operator assessment (practical) as well as an operator evaluation (written). Upon successful completion of this course the participant will receive a wallet card indicating that they met the training requirements mandated in the province of British Columbia for aerial platforms.
Fall protection will be covered in this course by both a specialized external training companies LMS (Learning Management System) and in class practical experience. The topics covered will include fall protection requirements & regulations, responsibilities of employer & employer, the fall Protection hierarchy (fall protection systems), fall arrest vs fall restraint, equipment (intro to common fall protection equipment), equipment inspection, fall protection plans, fall protection plan development, hazard assessment, basic rescue techniques and suspension trauma & relief methods. Upon successful completion of this course the participant will receive a wallet card indicating that they met the training requirements mandated in the province of British Columbia for fall protection.
This course will cover access equipment such as ladders and scaffolding. Students will be taught on site and will include practicing the proper positioning and retiring a ladder as well as setting up and taking down scaffolding.
The purpose of this module is to help students develop the knowledge needed to create early childhood environments that enhance learning and further development. This module will aid students in understanding that quality environments for children are conducive to optimal growth and development. At the end of this module students will be prepared with the necessary skills and knowledge to plan and arrange a childcare environment that nurtures the whole child. Students will be able to evaluate the functional, physical and aesthetic components of space for children. This module may include a two-day observation in a child care centre.
This module will develop practitioner skills necessary to provide a positive, safe, and nurturing environment. Strategies for guidance, discipline, and conflict will be examined through in-class work and observation assignments.
The course includes a two-day observation for the assignment ‘Guidance Observation’. Students are eligible to apply for an Early Childhood Educator Assistant (ECEA) certificate after successful completion of this course; this will enable a student to elect to work in the field while completing their ECE education.
The purpose of this course is to optimize learning through equipping students with effective study techniques. This course also provides an introduction to personality styles that will be encountered in the workplace and allows students to practise appropriate and productive interaction between the various styles. Emphasis is placed on the types of communication that work best with each style in order to achieve a good working relationship and to manage and resolve conflicts that arise. Students are also introduced to strategies for setting personal goals, managing time, and managing the stress that results from study or work and builds on positive group dynamics and setting expectations for student success.
Students will work with teams and clients in a variety of settings. Theory, practical exercises, and activities in this course attribute to these types of settings.
This module will detail the history of the ECE environment in British Columbia including an overview of the licensing agency and acts and regulations responsible for child care facilities and child care facility staff. Students complete assignments to build practical understanding of licensing, staff qualifications, educator/child ratio and activities.
As the course is aptly named, several important regulations, philosophies, and common themes are introduced here and are reinforced throughout the program as well:
Students will learn that to be effective they will need to have a clear understanding of the overall job. They will learn what materials are required and be able to record organized and accurate notes on the time and materials used when the job is complete. Planning ahead saves time and money and makes a job more profitable. Effectively managing time and resources, including materials, and keeping detailed notes is very important whether you are working for another company or on your own.
The students will learn how and why a site has to be prepared in order to do an accurate and safe job. Safety is a key factor when handling materials and this course will expand on the aspects more relevant to the electrical trade from the general WHMIS that will already have been covered prior to this course.
In this course, the Workers Compensation Act and Occupational Health and Safety Regulation are examined. The relationship and responsibilities of all individuals or groups associated with construction work are discussed. Confidence is gained by learning safe work practices as well as stressing working with hazardous energy safely. Instruction includes proper use and inspection of safety equipment and elimination of hazards in the equipment and workplace. Learning will include when and how to use PPE, where to find it as well as the limitations of the personal protective equipment. This course also covers the importance of locking out machinery and equipment, the dangers of hazardous energy, as well as when lockout is required. Correct lock-out procedures are examined and performed by the students ensuring confidence at the work site.
Students will cover the skillset to recognize types of fires and control or extinguish it with minimal risk and exposure to people, property, equipment and the environment. This course also educates and trains on the prevention of hearing reduction and loss. Noise measurement, engineered noise control, hearing protection, posting of noise hazard areas as well as hearing tests and policies regulated in the industry will be covered.
The focus of this module is on the development and implementation of age - and stage - appropriate activities. Students will learn how to set learning objectives and design and evaluate activities and lessons.
Ideally this course is studied in the early phase of the program, as the skills learned apply to assignments and study of various subject areas of curriculum covered in the ECE program.
The students receive Occupational First Aid Level 1 training, as well as certification in first aide.
Starting with basic mathematics skills including geometry, fractions and measurements, the students receive instruction and practice in reading, drawing and interpreting common and working drawings. Orthographic, sketches and drawings will be drawn, and dissected to reveal what information is needed to understand and complete objectives. Construction and Electrical blueprints will be reviewed and major divisions will be studied.
This module deals with physical, social and emotional growth through a variety of structure, music and movement programs. Students record and describe the ways in which children are exposed to music and how it can be utilized to set atmosphere, ease transitions and waiting periods, and guide and redirect behaviour.
This course also introduces resources from organizations such as LEAP BC™, that promote healthy child development through physical movement while integrating activity and play with literacy and education during engagement with young children in programs like Move™ and Hop™.
Students become familiar and confident using and maintaining common hand and power tools - safely. Researching online numerous electrical tool and material manufacturers is introduced. The lab assignments reinforce development of mechanical aptitude with two trade specific projects: There are six lab assignments introduced to help develop mechanical aptitude with two trade specific projects. The first project is constructing and installing a basic wood frame mock-up. The second of which will familiarize the students with EMT conduit bending and the methods of installation. Introduction and recognition of common electrical materials, conductors and materials with anchors and fasteners.
Tradespersons must be able to perform various climbing, lifting, rigging, and hoisting procedures safely to avoid creating dangerous situations. Students will learn to select, use, and maintain lifting and load moving equipment; describe manual lifting procedures using correct body mechanics; describe rigging hardware and the safety factor associated with each item; select the correct equipment for rigging typical loads; and describe hoisting and load moving procedures.
This course builds upon the safe work practices from the foundation knowledge that has been learned and applied in earlier courses in this program. Students will experience more specific types of PPE, safety equipment and personal safety precautions, as well as emergency equipment and means of egress, for the electrical trade. Lock-out and tag-out procedures are vital in the electrical field and will be explained and utilized thoroughly. Protection from arc flash and methods to prevent electrical shock will also be thoroughly introduced and practiced.
Students will begin understanding the structure of matter, concepts of electrical charge and current flow, methods of producing electricity, electrical quantities, units, and symbols and metric prefixes, the relationship between electrical power and energy, and then identify common drawings for electric circuits. Students will also learn about the basic operation of electric circuits, perform calculations by applying electric circuit laws, and perform meter readings to verify circuit concepts.
Expectations, documentation, policies and procedures highlight this module as preparation for practicum placements. Students meet with Sponsor Supervisors at their placement site to build comfort level and discuss facility procedures, practicum assignments and other requirements. Students also have the opportunity to outline personal goals and objectives and how they expect to achieve them. There is also an open and supportive forum to discuss potential fears and concerns students may have as they anticipate their first ECE practicum experience.
This course is included in the practicum hours as approved by the Ministry of Children and Family Development.
Students learn the concepts of magnetism and electromagnetism. Emphasis is placed on understanding the operating principles of electromagnetic devices such as motors, generators, solenoids, relays, contactors, and motor starters and towards solving problems. Alternating current electrical generation is also examined.
Students will examine the properties and operating characteristics of series circuits, solve problems involving them, the effects of voltage sources, and connect and test series circuits. Students will learn the same for parallel circuits, combination circuits, voltage divider circuits, bridge circuits, and three-wire distribution systems. Students perform the connection and testing of DC circuits in all its forms.
Students will analyze electronic circuits by learning the characteristics of semiconductor materials; features of the PN junction diode, and connect and test diodes. The course continues with learning the features, solving problems, and connect and test Zener diodes and voltage regulation circuits. Other subject areas include photo- and light-emitting diodes, bipolar junction transistors, specialty transistors, and bipolar transistors. Substantial time is allotted for students to connect and test DC electronic circuits.
This module will address proactive measures for reactive methods of addressing illness prevention, disease transmission, abuse, and childhood behaviours such as bullying. Assignments may include practical application such as menu evaluations, shopping assignments, and Occupational Health & Safety Regulation applications, as well as topics related to nutrition, healthy eating programs, and the Canada Food Guide. Students will also take a one-day Emergency Child Care First Aid and CPR program through external certification. Students also will be trained in FoodSafe™ - Level I certification (8 hours). Students should note that some of the training covered in this course will require more than five hours of class time on specific days in the schedule.
Students are eligible to apply for an Early Childhood Educator Assistant (ECEA) certificate after successful completion of this course; this will enable a student to elect to work in the field while completing their ECE education.
Students engage in the practice of using residential prints, drawings, manuals, and specifications to locate information, and use construction drawings to develop a material make off. Topics include identifying symbols; describing conventions for schematic, wiring, and single-line diagrams; using diagrams to convey information; and converting between schematic and wiring diagrams. Students also learn about the principles of orthographic projection; identify lines, lettering, and dimensioning used in sketches and drawings; describe the application of working drawings and common construction drawings (and their major divisions); common drawing conventions; electrical working drawings; identify information found in manuals and instructions; and use construction drawings to develop a material take-off.
This course applies electrical code to installations in which it contains three sections covering consumer/supply services, protection devices, and low voltage systems. The first section discusses how to install single-phase consumer/supply services and metering equipment including the features of a single-phase, three-wire distribution system; service entrance equipment; and determining requirements when CTs and PTs are not required. Students will also be able to describe maintenance procedures for this equipment. The second section covers the installation of ground fault, arc fault, and surge protection devices, including identification of protective devices and their requirements; it also covers installation of grounding and bonding systems: the objectives of grounding and bonding; appropriate materials; and their requirements. The third section discusses the installation of low voltage distribution equipment including types of distribution centers and its components and requirements. It also covers installing conductors and cables, raceways, boxes, and fittings.
During this module, students will have the opportunity to debrief on their earlier practicum and observation experiences and review the application and development of skills and core concepts learned throughout the program. Basic centre administration will be covered including budgeting, scheduling, centre structure, and organization, as well as other management skills.
A guest speaker (licensing officer) is normally scheduled for this course.
In this course, students will learn about installing and maintaining branch circuitry: luminaires, wiring devices, lighting controls, and lighting standards. The first part prepares students to describe the characteristics of light and the operation of LED and incandescent lighting, including the basic factors affecting vision, light measurement, and lighting design; the construction and features of incandescent lamps; and basic LED lighting. The second part of the course covers receptacles and switches and their requirements and testing. Students will be able to identify devices, determine installation requirements, and describe device testing requirements. The third part teaches students about connecting and testing lighting controls for LED and incandescent: the control of incandescent and LED lamps, and connecting and testing these lighting controls. The final part of the course describes types of lighting standards and their installation.
In addition to learning career-oriented skills, students learn how to get a job in their chosen profession. Our Employment Services department will assist the graduate in resume writing, as well as preparing for job interviews. Our staff is sensitive to current job market trends and the needs of employers in each local market. Our graduates receive guidance and training to use career tools that help job seekers build a better resume and cover letter, manage an online portfolio, hone interviewing skills, and develop a personal brand online. Students will have the use of a computer lab which has unlimited Internet access, as well as job search resources. Facilitators will also be made available to advise on job finding resources, interview skills and techniques and to carry out mock interviews. This course also looks at the planning, preparation, execution, and follow-up stages of an interview:
-How people find jobs
-Employer expectations
-Presenting an enthusiastic attitude
-Focusing on the right job and the hidden job market
-Transferrable skills
-Thank you letters
-Effective telemarketing
-Handling objections, self-confidence, and self-esteem
-Individual counselling and coaching
This course focuses on the procedures to install a structured cable system. Students learn how to terminate both ends of a CAT5 cable with RJ45 connectors, using a BIX or 110 tool to perform the termination, and verification with a wire map tool and adhering to the TIA standard.
This material is delivered to the students in two ways. Firstly, through a separate independent mathematics course aide at the mathematics of the electrical trade. Secondly, the material is taught through mini lessons throughout other courses that rely on a heavier mathematics content.
In this course students learn to interpret codes, regulations, and standards, including the purpose of the CEC, the general arrangement of CEC rules and regulations, their administration, as well as applicable codes and regulations (BC Building Code, provincial, bylaws, and CSA standards).
This is the practicum component of the Construction Electrician Foundation program which is the opportunity for students to assimilate their knowledge and skills from the classroom and workshop portions of the program and apply it to practice in an electrical trades work site environment. The variety of tasks to perform in the work environment will vary from place to place depending upon a number of factors (e.g. size of electrical business, type of work site – e.g. residential, single-house, multiple-dwelling, number of employees). Students must meet all of the requirements prior to entering this practicum (see Work Experience Guide and your instructor for details.) It may also be necessary to have an interview with the host organization, as well as agree to the terms within the training plan, before being accepted at the site. Your instructor and placement coordinator will have met with you while classroom studies were still being delivered.
This module focuses on a review of all coursework done reinforcing the topics previously taught. It also allows students to practice on exam type questions in preparation for the ITA exam.
This course provides information on how to use the communication skills learned in order to make a successful presentation to a prospective employer. Students also learn how to uncover the hidden job market and identify employment opportunities. Selfassessment during this course allows students to identify their personal skills that are transferable to the workplace and to describe these skills to a prospective employer. Students participate in a mock interview and receive a written analysis of their performance in the “interview”.