Apprenticeship Training for Work Permit Holders

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) announced a new temporary public policy which allows eligible foreign workers to study without a study permit. For more information, please visit the IRCC webpage: Public policy allowing some work permit holders to study without a study permit.

According to the abovementioned public policy, work permit holders can register for eligible apprenticeship training at VCC. Before applying, you must review the following information to determine your registration eligibility. By continuing with the application process, you confirm that you have read and acknowledged the statements outlined:

1. Eligible work permit holders can study without obtaining a valid study permit as per the temporary public policy announced on June 27, 2023.
2. This public policy came into effect on June 27, 2023, and will expire on June 27, 2026. IRCC can also revoke the public policy at any time without prior notice.
3. If you cannot complete the program before the expiry date on your work permit or June 27, 2026 (the date this public policy expires), whichever is sooner, you will need to stop your studies until you have another valid permit or authorization to continue studying.
4. You are responsible for confirming your immigration eligibility to enroll in the Apprenticeship Training program(s) according to your current immigration status. Should you have questions about your immigration status, you may contact IRCC by phone at 1-888-242-2100 or by using the online IRCC Web Form.
5. Under this public policy, you will not be eligible for a post-graduate work permit.
6. Under this public policy, your work experience during your study period will not count toward eligibility for the Canada Experience Class or Canadian work experience points under Express Entry’s Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS).
7. Vancouver Community College will not be held responsible should you not be compliant with your immigration status.

Applying for Apprenticeship Training

One of the following IRCC documents will be required upon application to VCC's apprenticeship programs.

• a valid work permit issued on or before June 7, 2023, or
• an IRCC letter authorizing you to work issued on or before June 7, 2023, or 
• an IRCC email confirming eligibility under this public policy

If you have one of the above IRCC documents, you may apply online at educationplannerbc.ca to one of the programs listed below. If the program is full, it will be removed from educationplannerbc.ca and applications will not be accepted. Check VCC's refund policy for apprenticeship courses for details before applying.

For additional documents required upon application, including the SkilledTradesBC ID numbers, click on the program pages below for details.

If your desired apprenticeship program is not listed above, it may not be available to international students. Any questions? Contact ieservices@vcc.ca for more information.

This webpage has been reviewed by our Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant (RCIC) at Vancouver Community College. This information could change anytime based on updates to Immigration, Refugee, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) regulations. It is the responsibility of the applicant to review updates from IRCC on their website: www.cic.gc.ca.