Three Routes Start
Apprenticeship

Automotive service technician

Certificate of Qualification + Red Seal (SkilledTradesBC)

24 of 30 verified for BC; "start something" routes use national figures · How we verify
Trades go through SkilledTradesBC (4 levels, Youth Train in Trades lets you start Level 1 in high school). Numbers from WorkBC and Job Bank BC, BCIT, VCC and UBC.
Years to credential4
First real paycheque~a month
Time in a classroom15%
Total cost$4,700
Typical debt after$0
Demand in BCSteady

The first ten years

earnearnearnearnearnearnearnearnearnearn
Mostly in schoolEarning

Earnings by year, roughly

What's in "net by year 10"
Earnings, years 1 to 10$663k$41,600 rising to $72,800 by year five, flat after
Program cost−$5ktuition and fees
Typical (medians)$658kthe number on the card
Low to high$558k to $758kpay 15% under or over the median, cost 15% more or 10% less

Not counted: income tax, rent, food, loan interest, inflation, and unemployment gaps. They apply to every route, so they change the size of each number more than the order. Pay is the British Columbia median before tax from the sources on this page.

The picture

What the day-to-day isDiagnosing and repairing vehicles; increasingly electronics and EV systems rather than wrenching.
What actually stops peopleDealerships prefer applicants who already have a shop class or co-op.
The downsideMany shops pay by the job, not the hour, so slow weeks hurt. You buy your own tools, often $10–20k over a career.
If you're the parentReliable work everywhere, but lower pay than construction trades and a tool investment. Best for a kid who already loves cars.
Local opportunities in British Columbia

Ready to explore this for real?

Eight quick questions about whether this route fits your life, not just your grades. You'll get a readiness check, and if you want, we'll introduce you to employers, unions or programs in your region.

Check my readiness

How to enter

What you need
  • No specific courses or average; Grade 12 (or equivalent) and a willingness to show up
Deadlines in BC
  • No deadline: find a sponsor, register with SkilledTradesBC
  • Grade 10 to 12: Youth Train in Trades (Level 1 in school) and Youth Work in Trades

Next steps in British Columbia

  1. 1
  2. 2
  3. 3

Save or share this pathway

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In British Columbia4 levels x 7 weeks.
www.workbc.ca · www.bcit.ca

✓ Verified 2026-10-09 for BC Sources: WorkBC NOC 72410 (Job Bank BC wages 2025); BCIT Automotive Technician Apprenticeship ($1,167/level)

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