UA Local 170 Training Centres                                      

Why a Career in Trades?

Your Future in BC Trades

A career in the skilled trades offers you exactly what you are looking for:

  • A career in demand
  • Excellent remuneration
  • Get trained while you earn a living
  • First-class health and welfare benefit plans available

This is a career in which you can see the direct results of your work and develop a sense of pride as you contribute to your quality of life in Canada.
A misunderstanding of the value of careers in trades inhibits many British Columbians from considering this career option. Yet there are many opportunities, benefits and rewards for the industry skilled worker.
And job prospects are above excellent. Recent projections estimate 913,000 skilled trade job openings between 2006 and 2015, half of those due to retirement of today's workers.

So why are we facing a shortage of skilled trades people? Besides British Columbia’s booming economic growth in the construction, and pipeline industries and, the coming mass retirement of baby-boomers will have a serious impact as the first of this generation will reach 65 by 2012. And according to Statistics Canada, by 2020 Canada could be short a million workers,

And did you know that skilled trades people who complete an apprenticeship also have the opportunity to “earn while they learn,” thereby minimizing any accumulated debt load from tuition costs.

If good pay, excellent job prospects, first-class benefits and the opportunity to see the country are important motivators, then anybody looking for an exciting career choice should look no further than the skilled trades.

To get started on your career in trades, call us today. We will answer all your questions and show you step-by-step how you can earn your certification without delay. Before you know it, you’ll have started on a fulfilling prosperous career in the trades.

There is not time to waste, take your next step, contact us at a UA local 170 Trades Training center near you.

Read More About UA

Find the courses you're looking for => Courses Offered

Courses currently offered

"B" Level Welding

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"C" Level Welding

The Welding Program is designed to provide students an opportunity to acquire the skills, knowledge and understanding needed to enter the occupation as an entry-level welder.

Training is given in the use of stationary and portable power tools common to the trade, as well as practical experience on construction welding projects. Students learn to apply knowledge of metals and welding processes and solve problems in the welding industry.

Students recieve up-to-date techniques and processes in cutting, joining and welding of metals used in the industry today.

Areas of Study Instruction covers the following areas:

  • Introduction and Program Orientation
  • Oxy Fuel Cutting
  • Gas Welding and Braze Welding
  • Shielded Metal Arc Welding (SMAW1)
  • Air Carbon ARC Gouging Gas Metal Arc Welding (GMAW1)
  • Flux Core Arc Welding (FCAW1)
  • Material Handling
  • Blueprint Reading 1
  • Math Supplement
  • Welding Metallurgy 1
  • Extensive Safety Training

Curriculum materials for this program have been developed by the Province of British Columbia to Industry standards. Graduates receive provincial recognition and automatic credit towards the Apprenticeship Program


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Brazing & Soldering
This course provides the participant with the hands on skill to pass a brazing examination as required under the medical gas procedure. This procedure is registered with the Boiler and Safety services authority and as such the successful participant will be registered with them.
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Construction Safety Training System

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Cross Connection Control
This course provides technical data and hands on experience in the installation of, testing of and repairing of all types of cross connection devices. The participant will work through the B.C.W.W.A manual and also spend time in the lab. Testing and repairing devices.
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Electrical Wiring & Controls I
This is a very basic course which will allow a person to gain some familiarity with electricity and electical controls.This course is aimed at introducing students to the concept of basic wiring methods and control theory. This course will be run in two parts, the first being for beginners who are unfamiliar with any kind of wiring. Electrical Wiring and Controls I will cover: -Basic Symbols -Ladder Diagrams -Wiring Practices -Loads and Switches -Transformers -Relays Students will wire up basic household lighting circuits and move on to basic step-down transformer and relay switching.
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Gasfitter 'B'
Prepares members to write the exam for a Gasfitter B License and is a requirement of the Gas Safety Branch. Examination fee additional. Approval from the Gas Safety Branch is required before enroling. Must have a B.C. Tradesperson Qualification Ticket. This is not a refresher course.
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H2S Alive
This course is designed to make the student aware of the dangers of H2S, where it is found, and how to protect yourself against it. The course covers properties of H2S, SCBA (Self Contained Breathing Apparatus), SABA (Suplied Air Breathing Apparatus), Detectors, and Monitors.
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Medical Gas
This course provides the participant with the technical knowledge required to work in hospital environments on medical gas systems. You will work through the manual and gain insight into the particular difficulties of working in a hospital. As an add-on you will also participate in a brazing procedure that will be registered with the Boiler and Pressure vessel Safety services authority.
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Orbital Pipe Welding
This course provides the participant with 9 days of hands on experience using the Orbital welder. This is high tech computer controlled welding. The successful participant will learn how to set up the equipment so that it will make a perfect weld every time. This type of welding is used in places like clean rooms. computer chip plants and anywhere there is a requirement for high quality very clean welds.
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Orbital tube Welding
This course is a 1 day add on to the Orbital welding course that emphasizes the ability to weld tubing.
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Plumber Level 1

The program will be delivered in a variety of formats combining in-school and work-based training, all designed to meet the competency standards and profile defined by the industry.

The following is the Technical Training Content for Level 1:

  • Mathematics
  • Science
  • Safety
  • Tools
  • Pipes
  • Valves and Fittings
  • Rigging
  • Cutting, Soldering and Brazing
  • Drafting and Blueprint Reading

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Plumber Level 2
The program will be delivered in a variety of formats combining in-school and work-based training, all designed to meet the competency standards and profile defined by the industry. The following is the Technical Training Content for Level 2: Hot Water Heating Systems Piping Drawings and Specifications Rough-in and Finishing Drainage and Venting Systems Compressed Air and Medical Gas Leveling Instruments and Tools
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Plumber Level 3
The program will be delivered in a variety of formats combining in-school and work-based training, all designed to meet the competency standards and profile defined by the industry. The following is the Technical Training Content for Level 3: Drainage and Venting Systems Potable Water Systems Rural Water Systems Piping Drawings and Specifications Gasfitting
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Plumber Level 4
The program will be delivered in a variety of formats combining in-school and work-based training, all designed to meet the competency standards and profile defined by the industry. The following is the Technical Training Content for Level 4: Install and Light Gas Appliances Hot Water Heating Systems Gasfitting Electrical CCTS and Gas Controls Rural Sewage Drainage and Venting Systems
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Plumbing Foundation

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Sprinkler System Installer Level 1
The program will be delivered in a variety of formats combining in-school and work-based training, all designed to meet the competency standards and profile defined by the industry. The following is the Technical Training Content for Level 1: Mathematics Drafting and Blueprints Introduction to Automatic Sprinklers Soldering and Brazing Pipe, Valves and Fittings Tools Pumps Rigging Science Safety
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Sprinkler System Installer Level 2
The program will be delivered in a variety of formats combining in-school and work-based training, all designed to meet the competency standards and profile defined by the industry. The following is the Technical Training Content for Level 2: Sprinkler System Calculations Sprinkler Heads Sprinkler Systems Sprinkler Alarm Systems Plans and Specifications Basic Electricity Hydraulics Oxy-Acetylene Welding and Burning
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Sprinkler System Installer Level 3
The program will be delivered in a variety of formats combining in-school and work-based training, all designed to meet the competency standards and profile defined by the industry. The following is the Technical Training Content for Level 3: Arc Welding Fire Protection Water Supply Underground Piping Pipe and Fittings Valves Hangers Installation Practices Architectural Working Drawings
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Sprinkler System Installer Level 4
The program will be delivered in a variety of formats combining in-school and work-based training, all designed to meet the competency standards and profile defined by the industry.
The following is the Technical Training Content for Level 4:

  • Codes
  • Standpipe and Hose Systems
  • Sprinkler System Layout
  • Gas and Chemical Systems
  • Residential and Dwelling Sprinklers

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Steamfitter / Pipefitter Level 1
The program will be delivered in a variety of formats combining in-school and work-based training, all designed to meet the competency standards and profile defined by the industry. The following is the Technical Training Content for Level 1: Mathematics Science Safety Tools Drafting and Blueprint Reading Rigging Pipes, Valves and Fittings Soldering and Brazing OXY-Acetylene Welding and Burning Arc Welding
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Steamfitter / Pipefitter Level 2
The program will be delivered in a variety of formats combining in-school and work-based training, all designed to meet the competency standards and profile defined by the industry. The following is the Technical Training Content for Level 2: Special Purpose Piping Pipe Fabrication Pipe Erection Pipe Bending Hot Water Heating Pumps Fire Protection Systems Fuel Oil Systems
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Steamfitter / Pipefitter Level 3
The program will be delivered in a variety of formats combining in-school and work-based training, all designed to meet the competency standards and profile defined by the industry. The following is the Technical Training Content for Level 3: Water Supply Fluid Power, Hydraulics Fluid Power, Pneumatics Low Pressure Steam Heating High Pressure Steam Properties of Gas Supply System Combustion Marine Piping
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Steamfitter / Pipefitter Level 4

The program will be delivered in a variety of formats combining in-school and work-based training, all designed to meet the competency standards and profile defined by the industry. The following is the Technical Training Content for Level 4:

  • Air Conditioning
  • Instrumentation
  • Industrial Piping
  • Gasfitting
  • Electricity

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Steamfitter Pipefitter Upgrade
This is a refresher course that prepares one to challenge the Interprovincial exam.
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Steamfitting Red Seal I.P. Refresher
This course prepares a T.Q'd. steamfitter or a plumber, welder who have industrial experience to challenge the steamfitting interprovincial examination. This would allow a successful candidate to work in other jurisdictions in Canada without having to undergo additional provincial exams. Permission to write the exam must be obtained from the Industry Training Authority.
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Valve Repair
This course will instruct students in the disassembly, inspection, repair and reassembly of different types of valves found in power plants and other industrial facilities. In the process, students will learn how to use reconditioning equipment and become skilled in the application of sensitive calibrating tools.
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Welding Red Seal I.P. Refresher
This course provides the back ground for a welder to challenge the red seal interprovincial examination. Successful challenge of the red seal will allow the welder to move across jurisdictions within Canada without the requirement of retesting to a provincial qualification. Permission to write the examination must be obtained from the Industry Training Authority.
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