Aircraft Maintenance Technician

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

This 4 semester 2 year diploma program (76 weeks) is offered in partnership with Northern Lights College (NLC) in Dawson Creek, B.C. The first 3 semesters (55 weeks) of training take place at Okanagan College Aerospace Campus in Vernon B.C. The final semester (18 weeks) takes place at Northern Lights College in Dawson Creek. The diploma is conferred by Northern Lights College. All curriculum and entrance requirements at Okanagan College align with the AMT program at Northern Lights College.

The program is designed to take a student with little or no previous experience in the aircraft maintenance trade and supply him/her with the necessary skills to seek employment in that industry as an apprentice Aircraft Maintenance Engineer. The curriculum follows Transport Canada's guidelines and upon successful completion of the program, Transport Canada will grant graduates 18 months of experience credits toward the 48-month experience requirement for an Aircraft Maintenance Engineer license. Graduates also receive a diploma for Aircraft Maintenance Technician from Northern Lights College.

Apprenticeship technical training credit for Levels One through Four will be granted upon successful completion of this program. Apprenticeship practical training credit may also be granted by the employer as a result of prior practical experience.

Training provided is applicable to both rotary wing aircraft (helicopters) and fixed wing aircraft, covering a wide range of subjects with emphasis on practical training. Some of the major subjects taught include aviation law, theory of flight, powerplants (turbine and piston), airframe structures and systems, hydraulics, electrical and avionics systems.

Canadian Armed Forces Accreditation Certification Equivalency is approved, fast track your career in the Armed Forces with this program.

Admission Requirements

The following admission requirements align with the admission requirements established by Northern Lights College.

• 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 11 with minimum 60% or alternatives or English 12 with minimum 60% or alternatives. B.C. Communications 11 or Communications 12 with minimum 60% is acceptable.

Or an ABLE reading comprehension score of at least 83%. Test scores are only good for two (2) years.

Math requirement:

A minimum of 60% in one of:

• Pre-calculus Grade 11
• Principles of Mathematics 11
• Applications of Mathematics 11
• Foundations of Mathematics Grade 11
• Apprenticeship and Workplace Mathematics Grade 11
• Workplace Mathematics 11
• Adult Basic Education MATH 011
• Adult Basic Education MATH 084 and MATH 085
• Adult Basic Education IALG 011

Or a minimum of 63% on the ABLE mathematics test. 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 63%.

Dual Credit (BC's ACE IT program)

Dual credit students must complete Grade 11 prior to the start of the program including the math and English requirements as outlined above. A Grade 11 core science (preferably physics) with 60% or higher is also required. One Grade 10 shop class is recommended.  

Program Partnership

For  more information on the NLC portion of this partnership program visit Northern Lights College.

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