Vancouver Community College - Programs / Courses - Culinary Arts (Cook) Apprentice
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Culinary Arts (Cook) Apprentice

The Culinary Arts technical training program is designed for the apprentice currently working as a cook or chef in the food service and hospitality industries. Training at VCC is designed to meet the needs of both the apprentice and industry by providing a complete and up-to-date training experience. Upon completion, apprentices return to industry with an increased, comprehensive skill set.

New grant funding available! See Apprenticeship Incentive Grant


If you know the admission requirements, Apply Now.

Find out more about this program:


Program Description

Apprentice training is divided into three levels, typically taken over three years. Level 1 covers the basics of soup and stock preparation; meat, seafood and poultry cooking; egg and breakfast cookery; cold kitchen; and desserts. Level 2 advances the apprentice's skills in both the cold and hot kitchens. Level 3 completes the training by requiring students to demonstrate strong, independent cooking skills that include the elements of presentation and design.

Students train in classrooms and kitchens in VCC's facility at the Downtown campus. A major portion of classroom time is devoted to theory. Instruction is provided through lectures and demonstrations to illustrate practical application of the theory. Students in Levels 2 and 3 spend an additional 50 - 60 hours on independent study and homework assignments. The college supplies a uniform while the apprentice is a student at VCC. Students must supply their own kitchen tools.

Topic

An apprenticeship is a system of training that combines work-based training with periods of formal practical and theoretical education. This theoretical instruction is provided by an approved training college or facility. Typically, apprentices take a short break from their employment once a year to complete their training. When an apprentice successfully completes a training program and attains the required number of work-based hours, he/she earns a certificate or ticket, and becomes a journeyperson in his or her trade.

Start Length Credential Campus Part or Full‑time
Varies Three 5-week training sessions over 3 years VCC Transcript Downtown Full-time

Admission Requirements

General

VCC welcomes applications from Canadian citizens and permanent residents.

Exceptions
Convention refugees as designated by the federal government;

Foreign live-in caregivers;

Individuals with work permits valid for at least one year, covering the duration of studies; or those with Approval in Principle letters from Citizenship and Immigration Canada;

Legal dependents of Canadian citizens or permanent residents (certain conditions apply);

Diplomats and their direct dependents;

VCC will require proof of citizenship, residency, diplomatic or refugee status. Please see VCC's policy relating to admission for non-citizens and non-residents for more information.


As Vancouver Community College is a post-secondary institution committed to educating adult learners, applicants should be 18 years of age or older or a graduate of a secondary school.

Please note that you must submit official transcripts and educational documents to support your application; unfortunately, we cannot accept photocopies or fax versions.


Program Specific

Students must be registered with the Industry Training Authority (ITA) and have received an Apprentice Identification number and a Trade Worker Identification number (TWID). To determine whether you qualify for apprenticeship training see www.itabc.ca

New apprentices who have successfully completed an ITA approved training program can apply to the Industry Training Centre for credit towards the work based and technical training requirements of their apprenticeship. Often, successful completion of a trades program or pre-apprentice program significantly reduces the work based and/or training hours required for the trade.

For additional information, please email apprentice@vcc.ca or phone 604.871.7041.

Program Status

Accepting applications

Apply to this Program


    Online     Fax     In Person
If you're ready and know the program you want, apply now. Download and complete the (PDF) application form and fax to 604.443.8450. Visit us at one of our campus locations.

After you apply, you can check your Check application status to see if all of the requirements have been met or to update contact information. Please use the temporary login ID and Personal Identification Number (PIN) that you used to complete your original online application.


Fees and Other Costs


Application Fee Tuition Fee
No fee See Timetable for Fees


Other Costs

Cost Type Details
Other costs Full payment is required 2 months prior to start date of training (all fees are non-refundable). For detailed fee information see Courses and Timetables.Textbooks and supplies: $300All apprentices are required to wear uniforms supplied by the College.


- Fees are approximate and subject to change without notice. Students making advanced payments for programs/courses or installment payments for current programs, will be required to pay increased rates. The application fee is non-refundable. For more information, see withdrawals and refunds specific to this program.


Additional Information

You may be eligible for Employment Insurance benefits or Personal Support Payments while attending your apprentice training. More information on Employment Insurance for apprentices is available from Human Resources and Social Development Canada:

- on the Trades and Apprenticeship page of the HRSDC website
- by calling Service Canada at 1.800.206.7218
- or by visiting the Service Canada office responsible for VCC's apprenticeship programs:

4279 Canada Way (at Gilmore)
Burnaby, B.C.
Monday to Friday, 8:30 am to 4 pm


Courses and Timetables

  Program Timetable:  Apprentice Training Adobe PDF File (31 KB)  

Term 1
Course Name Course Code Credits
Culinary Arts Apprentice Level 1 CULP 1001 5.0


Term 2
Course Name Course Code Credits
Culinary Arts Apprentice Level 2 CULP 2001 5.0


Term 3
Course Name Course Code Credits
Culinary Arts Apprentice Level 3 CULP 3001 5.0


Note: All course/program information including course/program content, length, admission requirements, prerequisites, start/end dates, postponements and/or cancellation is subject to change without notice.