Automotive Service Technician Foundation

Automotive Service Technician Foundation

  • Format: Full Time
  • Offered: Multiple intakes
  • Program Duration: 33 weeks
  • Delivery Location: Kelowna, BC

Program description

This 33-week (990 hour) program takes students with little or no previous experience in the automotive repair trade and supplies them with the necessary skills to seek employment in this industry as an apprentice technician. The courses introduce the students to many aspects of servicing and repair in the automotive repair trade with a focus on developing practical skills. Graduates of this program will receive 450 hours towards Automotive Service Technician Year 1 (AST 1) certification and the opportunity to write the AST 1 Certificate of Qualification exam. The AST 1 Certificate of Qualification and 1590 workplace hours are required to proceed into AST 2.

Recommended Student Characteristics

There are a number of physical activities involved in training for a skilled trade, please review the physical activities of the program and the recommended student characteristics as listed below. Okanagan College strives to make all learning experiences as accessible as possible. If you anticipate or experience disability related academic barriers (including mental health, chronic or temporary medical conditions), please contact Disability Access Services at your campus so that you can privately discuss options.

Physical activities of this trade:

  • Lift and carry tools, equipment, supplies and materials weighing up to approximately 10 Kgs.
  • Lift, carry, hold and operate hand, air and power tools from below grade to above shoulders
  • Stand on concrete and asphalt for extended periods of time
  • Bend, stoop, kneel and crawl to perform various tasks

Recommended student characteristics:

  • Good general health and respiratory condition
  • Capable of doing physical work
  • Physical strength and stamina compatible with the handling of heavy equipment and materials Ability to tolerate noise and vibration
  • Good manual dexterity
  • Satisfactory eyesight, line, form and depth perception

Admission Requirements

  • Youth Train in Trades - in grade 12 (all core grad requirements completed apart from CLC A and B, and senior electives)
  • Minimum English 12 or English First Peoples 12 – 67% plus
  • Minimum Workplace Mathematics 11 or Foundations of Mathematics 11 or Pre-Calculus 11 – 67% plus
  • All Core grad requirements completed: 
    • Senior Grad requirements include: English 12 or English First Peoples 12, English 11, Senior Socials, Senior Math (Workplace mathematics or Foundations or Mathematics 11 or Pre-Calculus 11), and a Senior Science 
    • All grade 10 grad requirements.