Why Choose North Island College?
- The right tools for the job. The Joinery/Cabinetmaking shop is well equipped with a wide range of up to date woodworking equipment including kitchen cabinet machinery, spray finishing equipment, computer controlled (CNC) router, and a computer aided design (CAD) lab.
- Economical education. The Joinery/Cabinetmaking program is located in Port Alberni, on the west coast of Vancouver Island, where the cost of living is less than in larger centres. Program costs are low and, because the curriculum is accepted by many funding agencies, retraining subsidies may be available through those agencies.
- Award-winning students. NIC Joinery/Cabinetmaking students have entered the BC Skills Competition, consistently ranking among the best at both provincial and national levels.
- Want to get your Red Seal? During the Joinery/Cabinetmaking program, you will complete the technical training requirements for the first year of the four-year Joiner Apprenticeship to the Interprovincial (Red Seal) standard.
Program Highlights
During the Joinery/Cabinetmaking Foundation program, students will complete the training requirements for the first year of the four year Joiner Apprenticeship to the Interprovincial (Red Seal) standard. On successful completion of this program and upon entering into an apprenticeship, students are eligible to receive technical training credit for level one and 475 hours of work based credit towards their apprenticeship hours requirement.
Students will spend one third of their time in lectures and demonstrations and two thirds of their time in the joinery shop using knowledge of tools and materials to construct wood products. Field trips to a variety of woodworking businesses are also scheduled.
Students will also study Computer Aided Drafting, Wood Product Design and Wood Finishing. After completing assigned projects students will have time to build projects of their own design. Graduates will be awarded a certificate in Furniture Design and Construction as well as a certificate in Joinery/Cabinetmaking.
The program, which starts in September and ends in early June, is full time. Classes are Monday to Thursday, enabling students to seek part time work.
The Joinery/Cabinetmaking program enters eligible student in the BC Skills Competition, where NIC entrants have consistently placed in the top ranks. In 2006, 2007, 2008, and 2009 our student competitors won the Gold Medal in the Skills B.C. competition and advanced to the National Skills Competition. In May 2009 one of our students won the Gold Medal in Cabinetmaking in the Skills Canada competition in Charlottetown, P.E.I.
Career Opportunities
As a graduate of the Joinery/Cabinetmaking program, you will be eligible for employment as a furniture, millwork, and kitchen cabinet builder, or as a yacht interior finisher, residential finish carpenter, or salesperson. The placement rate for program graduates in the joinery industry is high. With the skills they’ve gained, a number of graduates from this program have also started their own businesses.
Supply List
Materials: Students are responsible for the material costs of their projects. These costs will vary based on the projects selected.
Supplies:
Texts
- see bookstore for current list
Stationery: (available in NIC Bookstore)
- three ring binder with punched, lined and unlined paper; pencil and pen
- basic calculator with trigonometric functions
- clipboard for letter size paper
Drafting Equipment (available at the bookstore in a set)
- 6” 45 deg., 8” 30/60 deg. set square
- 6” protractor 180 deg.
- erasing shield with Mars plastic or gum eraser
- circle template Staedtler 977 101, inch and metric
- Mars triangular scales: one each 987 18 – 37 Imperial and 987 18 – 39 SI Metric
- 6” compass Staedtler 55140WP
- mechanical drafting pencils (two) .7 mm lead and pencil leads HB hardness
Safety Equipment: (available from Acklands Grainger or other industrial supplier)
- WCB approved safety glasses
- WCB approved hearing protection
- CSA approved steel-toed shoes or boots required (boots usually more comfortable)
Tools: all tools are supplied except a tape measure
- tape measure ¾” x 16 ft., Imperial and metric, good quality
If you have any questions, please call the Instructor, Russell Ramsden at (250) 724-8771.
Admission Requirements
- Minimum C grade in English 10, NIC ENG 034, or equivalent; and
- Minimum C grade in Principles of Math 10, Applications of Math 11, NIC MAT 034, or equivalent; or
- Successful NIC assessment testing in English and Math.
To Be Successful
• Students are encouraged to contact the instructor for an in-person or telephone interview. The purpose of the interview is to provide advice, answer questions about the program and discuss various career fields and choices.
• Many employers require grade 12 completion as an employment standard. If you do not meet this requirement we encourage you to contact a Student Advisor to discuss upgrading or grade 12 completion options offered at NIC. In addition to the stated prerequisites secondary school equivalent courses in Science, Physics and Drafting are considered an asset.
• The most important key to success is the desire to become a quality trades person. The traditional values of hard work, reliability, positive attitude and the desire to do quality work are essential to succeed in the program.
• Prospective students should be aware that trades programs require good hand/eye coordination, good binocular vision, strong abilities in spatial and mechanical reasoning along with good math and communication skills.
• There is also an expectation of physical activities such as lifting, working on ladders and scaffolding or in confined spaces and under various weather conditions. Prospective students should also have the ability to stay focused for prolonged periods.