Skilled Trades Discovery Program for Green Economy is a 240-hour, entry-level training program designed to help students explore career opportunities in three essential trades: Construction Electrician, Plumbing, and Carpentry. It is ideal for beginners who want to experience different trades before committing to a specific path.

This comprehensive program combines core theory with introductory shop-based training. Students gain valuable exposure to sustainable construction practices, green technologies, and building retrofitting—preparing them not only for traditional roles in the skilled trades but also for emerging opportunities in Canada’s growing green economy.

Throughout the program, students develop the ability to:

• Safely use hand and power tools across all three trades
• Interpret technical drawings and blueprints
• Apply basic math and measurement skills to real-world tasks
• Understand materials and methods used in energy-efficient construction
• Complete team-based shop projects that simulate real jobsite work
• Learn retrofitting techniques such as LED lighting upgrades, low-flow fixture installations, and basic insulation/framing strategies

In addition to trade-specific skills, students complete essential safety training and earn industry-recognized certifications:

• WHMIS
• Confined Spaces Awareness
• Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
• Hazard Recognition
• First Aid Level 1
• Ladder Safety

These credentials prepare participants for safe and responsible work in today’s construction industry. A special focus on energy efficiency, retrofitting, and sustainability gives graduates a competitive edge in a rapidly evolving job market.

With over 100,000 construction job openings projected in B.C. over the next decade, this program provides a timely and practical first step toward employment, apprenticeships, or further technical training in the skilled trades—especially within the green economy.

Graduates of this program are prepared for entry-level roles such as construction laborer, trades helper, retrofit assistant, or maintenance support worker. The program also supports pathways into apprenticeships in carpentry, plumbing, or electrical trades. With added exposure to green building and retrofitting practices, graduates are equipped to work on energy-efficient construction projects and building upgrades, contributing to the growing demand for sustainable trades skills.

Grade 12 graduation or equivalent (General Education Development, Adult Basic Education) or mature student status (age 19 and one year out of school). All transcripts must be “true certified copies” or originals.

Prior to acceptance, applicants must successfully complete the admissions interview and meet each of the following requirements listed under items 1) and 2) below.

1) Fulfill Math Assessment Requirement

Math Assessment requirement

• Domestic Students:

a) Successful completion of a math assessment conducted in-house by Ace Community College with a minimum score of 50%

OR

b) Successful completion of provincially recognized Grade 10, 11, or 12 Mathematics with a minimum passing score of C.

• International Students:

a) Successful completion of a math assessment conducted in-house by Ace Community College with a minimum score of 50%.

OR

b) International students can meet the Math Entrance Assessment requirement by providing an equivalent to Canadian High School Math 10, 11, or 12 with a passing grade of ‘C’. The credential must be evaluated and verified.

2) Fulfill Language Proficiency Requirement

Language Proficiency Requirement

All applicants must meet at least one of the following criteria (a, b, c, or d)

• a) Evidence that 3 years of full-time secondary education (Grades 8-12), or 2 years if the Grades are 10, 11, or 12, have been successfully completed in the program’s language of instruction in a country where the language of instruction is one of the principal languages*.

  *Applicants are advised to contact ACE Community College to confirm whether their country is officially recognized as one where English is the principal language of instruction for the purpose of meeting this requirement.

• b) 2 years of full-time post-secondary education* have been completed in the program’s language of instruction in a country where the language of instruction is one of the principal languages (including international education credentials recognized through WES, ICES, and IQAS).

  *Language development courses (i.e., ELL courses) cannot be included in this calculation.

• c) Provide official, verified transcripts showing results for one of the English language proficiency tests listed below, with scores that meet or exceed the minimum requirements specified for each test.

  Test results must be dated no more than two years before the start date of the program:

  • International English Language Testing System: (IELTS) Academic Minimum overall score of 5.5
  • Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) IBT: Minimum overall score of 46
  • Canadian Academic English Language Assessment (CAEL): Minimum overall score of 40
  • Canadian English Language Proficiency Index Program (CELPIP): Listening 6, Speaking 6, Reading 5, and Writing 5.
  • Duolingo English Test (DET): Minimum overall score of 95
  • Pearson Test of English (PTE) Academic: Minimum overall score of 43
  • Cambridge English Qualifications: B2 First exam (FCE)
  • Institutions may include other Cambridge Qualifications at a higher level (i.e., C2 Proficiency (CPE)): Minimum overall score of 160 or “C”
  • Cambridge Linguaskill: Minimum overall B2 level
  • LANGUAGECERT Academic: Minimum overall B2 level
  • The Michigan English Test (MET): Minimum overall B2 level
  • ITEP Academic: Minimum overall score of 3.5
  • EIKEN: Minimum placement of Grade Pre-1

• d) Mature student applicants ONLY:

  Applicant is 19 years or older at the start of the program and is a Canadian citizen or permanent resident who cannot access is their educational records or provide sufficient evidence of secondary or post-secondary education as outlined above:

  • I. Applicant must provide attestation that they have completed at least three years of full-time instruction in English in a country where the English is one of the principal languages,

• II. Applicant completes an Accuplacer English Assessment (Next Generation: Reading, Writing and WritePlacer) and achieves the following minimum scores:
  • ✓ Reading: 230
  • ✓ Writing: 230
  • ✓ WritePlacer: 4

By the end of this program, students will be able to:

• Use basic hand and power tools safely in carpentry, plumbing, and electrical tasks
• Recognize common tools and materials used in each trade and know what they’re used for
• Read simple blueprints and drawings to understand how things are built or installed
• Use basic math and measuring tools to help plan and complete small tasks
• Follow safety rules on a jobsite and wear the right protective equipment
• Try out hands-on tasks like framing a small wall, running wire, or connecting pipes
• Complete safety training and earn certificates like WHMIS, Level 1 First Aid, and Ladder Safety
• Work as part of a team by helping with tools, cleanup, and group shop projects
• Get introduced to retrofitting and green construction through simple, hands-on activities
• Demonstrate job readiness and professional communication skills, including resume writing, interview preparation, and teamwork.
• Explore a variety of skilled trades careers and make informed choices about future training, apprenticeships, or entry-level work.

• Weekly tests will be conducted.
• Students will be given a final exam.

• Successful completion of all on-campus tests and final exam with a minimum of 50% overall average.

• The total program hours are 240.
• The full-time program length is 12 weeks.
• The part-time program length is 16 weeks.

Students can expect to complete 1 to 3 hours of homework per day.

Skilled Trades Discovery Program for Green Economy E-textbook

• AUTHOR: ACE Community College
• PUBLISHER: ACE Community College