Learn all the elements of professional cooking from casual to fine dining, while working your way up to a B.C. trade certificate.
Cook Apprentice
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What you will learn
Upon successful completion of this program, graduates will be able to:
- How to order, organize and store food safely.
- How to prepare and cook with a wide variety of ingredients.
- How to experiment with different flavours and cuisines.
- How to create dishes and plan menus.
- How to prepare food for all sorts of customers, occasions and events.
What to expect
Program Duration and Maximum Time for Completion
The technical training (5–6 weeks per level) generally takes 2–5 years to complete, alongside 5000 hours of work-based training (1000 hours each for Apprentice Levels 1 and 2, and 3000 hours for Apprentice Level 3). There is no maximum time to completion.
This program is offered in person at the VCC downtown campus.
Admission requirements
Program-specific
- Valid Food Safe (open in new tab) Level 1 Certificate (certification must remain valid throughout all courses)
- A valid SkilledTradesBC (open in new tab)ID number
- A current employer and sponsor. Note: Every registered apprentice has both an employer and a sponsor. The employer hires you and pays for your work; the sponsor commits to helping you get opportunities to learn on the job and reports on your progress. In most cases, the employer and sponsor are the same person or organization.
General
- This program is available to Canadian citizens and permanent residents. Program options for international students can be found at VCC International.
- Applicants who self-identify as Indigenous are strongly encouraged to connect with VCC’s Indigenous Education and Community Engagement team to learn more about VCC’s Indigenous Enrolment policy, application preparation/completion, program advising, and a range of other individualized services.
- Applicants must be 16 years of age or older or a graduate of a secondary school. (Some exceptions may apply.)
- Applicants must submit official transcripts and educational documents as required by their course or program.
- Before applying to VCC, you will need an official apprenticeship number with SkilledTradesBC. Use this ID number when enrolling at VCC.
Missing prerequisites? Learn more about VCC's tuition-free academic upgrading or English as a Second Language (ESL) courses, or discover which university transfer options are right for you.
Courses *
Prior learning assessment and recognition
Applicants who have relevant work experience (in B.C. or elsewhere) or previous trades training may be eligible to write challenge exams for levels of technical training through SkilledTrades BC.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| CULP 1001 | Culinary Arts Apprentice Level 1 | 5 |
| CULP 2001 | Culinary Arts Apprentice Level 2 | 5 |
| CULP 3001 | Culinary Arts Apprentice Level 3 | 5 |
* This information is intended as a guideline only. Program and course details are subject to change with the approval of VCC's Board of Governors.
Discover Open Studies
Open Studies lets you take courses from credit programs without having to be accepted into one. Based on availability, you can sample different courses, earn credits, and build new skills.
Explore your optionsApply now
Are you interested in this program? Find out more information in the Culinary Arts Student Handbook.
All apprentice training is open for applications. Go to EducationPlanner BC and apply for the term that is open. You will be able to register in courses starting that term and future terms.
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Attend an Information Session
Meet instructors, ask questions, and tour our facilities.
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† B.C. Labour Market Outlook 2018