Studio Woodworking Certificate

If you have any questions about how a course or program is delivered, you can check the Trades website, email the Department Chair or email the Trades & Apprenticeship office:

Apprenticeship: apprenticeship@okanagan.bc.ca
Foundation and General Interest: trades@okanagan.bc.ca

The Studio Woodworking Certificate Program is a 38-week (1140 hours) full-time study of woodworking from the craftsperson's perspective. With a primary focus on furniture, the program will offer a range of woodworking skill sets that can be adapted to any of the many disciplines within the Cabinetmaker/Joiner trade. Inasmuch as this program's focus is 'Art' as well as 'Industry', the range of knowledge covered within this program will enable the successful student to acquire meaningful employment in a range of 'studio' or 'custom' environments with confidence, whether self-employed or working for others. Those successful students who wish to continue in a traditional apprenticeship will be granted level one apprenticeship technical training credit and 450 work-based hours in the Cabinetmaker/Joiner trade by the Industry Training Authority in B.C.

The range of topics taught includes a history of the trade, design basics, an understanding of the materials, safe work practices, hand and machine skills, and joinery techniques. They also include more advanced techniques such as design and creating curved parts, veneer, inlay, marquetry and banding. Basic Computer Numeric Control (CNC) machining will be explored. Wood finishing from simple hand rubbed to advanced spray booth techniques will be practiced. Students will also be introduced to portfolio and promotion concepts, including photography of product, and how to interact with clients. Students will design and build a final project from concept to promotion. A public exhibit at the conclusion of the program will spotlight the students' achievements and provide a showcase for their work.

Admission Requirements

• B.C. Secondary school graduation or equivalent, or 19 years of age and out of secondary school for one year as of the first day of classes.

• English 10 with minimum 50% or alternatives.

• Math requirement:

A minimum of 50% in any of:

• Apprenticeship and Workplace Mathematics Grade 10
• Workplace Mathematics 10
• Foundations of Mathematics and Pre-Calculus Grade 10
• Mathematics 10
• Adult Basic Education MATH 071 and MATH 072

The ABLE mathematics test scores are only good for two (2) years.

Applicants who have not satisfied the Math requirement within the last seven (7) years must write the ABLE Mathematics test and must receive a minimum of 50%.

Program Outline

Graduation Requirements

Completion of all courses in the program with a minimum grade of 70% in each.