Apprentices who intend to take the technical training must first register as an apprentice with ITA. Your employer is to be your sponsor. In the event you do not have an employer to sponsor you, TECA and/or RCITO can be your sponsor for the technical training.

Steps to Apprenticeship:

• Complete online contact form [Click here to submit the form »]
• Register as apprentice with ITA [Click here to download fillable PDF form »]
• Get on the registration list for Technical Training [Click here to download PDF form »]
• Complete technical training
• Complete on job training
• Obtain gas fitter B license through BC Safety Authority [Click here for more details »]
• Complete Recommendation for Certification form [Click here to visit ITA website »]
  

For those with experience in the industry, program challenge options are available to earn your Certificate of Qualification without additional school provided you meet an established criteria.  Please see the Program Profiles above for more information.

Before you begin, complete online Prior Learning Assessment to check for challenge eligibility.

Transition Period Heating Technician Program Challenge

During the transition period which expires December 31, 2011, in lieu of writing the Certificate of Qualification examination to obtain a Heating Technician Certificate of Qualification, ITA will accept the following experience and training as proof of trade knowledge:

• 6,000 work based hours AND
• BCSA Class B Gasfitter License AND
• One of the following endorsements:
  
  - Forced Air (valid TECA Quality First "Forced Air Guidelines" number, TECA Quality First "Ventilation Guidelines" number, credit for TECA’s Quality First "Basics of Air) AND/OR
  
  - Hydronics (valid TECA Quality First "Ventilation Guidelines" number and "Hydronic Design" number)
  

Steps to Challenging:

• Complete transition challenge application, if not eligible for transition period challenge option please see below for other challenge options [CHT Application Form » or CGT Application Form »]
• Provide applicable documentation to support application including:
  • Gas Fitter B number
  • Quality First numbers as applicable
  • Evidence of work based hours
    • Self employed applicants need statutory declaration and 3 letters of trade reference (letters from general contractors and suppliers stating length of time in the industry and quality of workmanship are acceptable.)

Non-Transition Heating Technician Challenge

For individuals wishing to challenge the program and who do not meet the requirements for transition, a challenge exam is available.

• 4500 documented hours per endorsement of directly related work experience are required to challenge BC Certificate of Qualification examination.
• BCSA Class B Gasfitter license (not required for equivalency status)

Steps to Challenging:

• Complete challenge application [CHT Application Form » or CGT Application Form »]
• Provide applicable documentation to support application including:
  
  • Gas Fitter B number
  • Evidence of work based hours
  • Self employed applicants need statutory declaration and 3 letters of trade reference (letters from general contractors and suppliers stating length of time in the industry and quality of workmanship are acceptable.)

Prior Learning Credit

Credit is available for industry training programs (Thermal Environmental Comfort Association; Canadian Hydronics Council; Canadian GeoExchange Coalition).

Level 1 & Hydronics Endorsement

Technical training credit is available as follows:

ITA will accept the following combination of experience and training to credit apprentice with Level 1 and Level 2 technical training:

• 6,000 work based hours AND
• valid TECA Quality First "Ventilation Guidelines" number, Canadian Hydronics Council Certified Installer number and "Hydronic Design" number

Level 1 & Forced Air Endorsement

ITA will accept the following combination of experience and training to credit apprentice with Level 1 and Level 2 technical training:

• 6000 work based hours AND
• valid TECA Quality First "Forced Air Guidelines" number, TECA Quality First "Ventilation Guidelines" number, credit for TECA’s Quality First "Basics of Air"

Note: BCSA Gasfitter B course and exam and Recommendation for Certification signed by the Sponsor and a certified Heating Technician or equivalent with the same endorsement is required for all apprentices who opt for Prior Learning Assessment.

Checklist:

• Complete the TECA online contact form so we can assist you in your role as an employer [Click here to submit the form »]
  
• Register as an employer with ITA when you register your apprentice
• If not a TECA member become one to access apprentice resumes and post opportunities
• Encourage employees to obtain their CHT