Vancouver Island University (VIU)

Nanaimo, BC

About Vancouver Island University (VIU)

Vancouver Island University (VIU) offers the Electrical Foundation pre-apprenticeship program in Nanaimo, on central Vancouver Island.

Nanaimo is the hub of central Vancouver Island, serving a growing residential and commercial construction market.

Admissions: This Electrical Foundation program is a pre-apprenticeship that builds core skills and typically earns first-level credit. Construction Electrician is a compulsory trade in BC (since 2023, SkilledTradesBC), so you still need a sponsoring employer, the remaining levels and work-based hours, and the Red Seal exam. Confirm current tuition, prerequisites and intakes with VIU before applying. (Current as of 2026.)

Electrical Apprenticeship (Harmonized)

Certificate of Qualification (Red Seal)

Total hours

1,200

300 h per level; plus 6,000 workplace hours

Tuition

Not published

Contact the school

Duration

4 levels x 10 weeks

In-person

Upcoming cohorts

English

Starts Nanaimo

Electrician Foundation

Certificate

Total hours

720

SkilledTradesBC Level 1 credit + work-based hours; enter apprenticeship at Level 2

Tuition

Not published

Contact the school

Duration

24 weeks

In-person

Upcoming cohorts

English

Starts Returning to Cowichan campus Sept 2027

Ready to enroll?

Applications go through the school’s admissions office. Deadlines vary by cohort.

Start your application