Apprenticeship is a three-way contract between an apprentice, the apprentice’s employer and the provincial government’s Industry Training Authority. The Funeral Service Association of British Columbia is the training service provider for the BC Funeral Services Apprenticeship Program and under Agreement with the Industry Training Authority who funds a portion of the apprentice’s tuition fees. The Funeral Service Apprenticeship Program is funded by two sources:
- Through a funding agreement with Industry Training Authority
- Tuition paid by each apprentice
All apprentices must apply to and be licensed by the Business Practices and Consumer Protection Authority as a condition of enrollment.
Academic Study and Practical Experience
The formal training program consists of two equally important parts: academic study and practical (work place) experience. In the apprenticeship program these occur simultaneously over a given period of time.
Academic Study
The academic calendar is divided into two terms and runs from September through to the end of June. Enrolment is continuous for a two-year (24 month) period. Students take Level 1 courses in the first year and Level 2 courses in the second year. Each academic year for both levels begins in September with a three (3) day orientation seminar; a three (3) day winter term seminar is held in January; and a final two weeks of classroom seminars occurs in June. At the completion of this session, students write final examinations for each level in each subject. During each term the student will have access to on-line lectures, quizzes, communication and guided reading.
Practical Experience
A Funeral Director and/or Embalmer apprenticeship requires two years of on-the-job training in addition to the formal academic study. Each year consists of full time on the job training, usually working with or being supervised by a qualified licensed journeyperson. On-the-job training provides an opportunity for students to put into practice the theory that they learn in the classroom and lab environments. An apprentice usually spends 80% of his or her time learning on the job and 20% learning the technical skills in a classroom environment.
Practical experience is monitored through an apprentice log book, mentor and peer guidelines and assessor guidelines.
For information on required abilities for funeral service apprentices please see Required Abilities for Apprentices within this HR Toolkit.
Apprenticeship Program Options
- Funeral Service Foundation Program (no employment required / theory equivalent to Level One)
- Level One Embalmer & Funeral Director – workplace training and theory – 1800 hrs per level
- Level Two Embalmer & Funeral Director – workplace training and theory – 1800 hrs per level
Are Apprentices Paid While Training?
Individuals in the FSABC Apprenticeship Program must be employed with a funeral home prior to enrolment in the program. Wages are established by the individual funeral home and will vary depending on a number of factors including the compensation practices and wage structure of the employer, the qualifications of the apprentice, and the type of apprenticeship program. A Funeral Service Apprentice is usually paid a training wage or an apprentice wage.
Apprentices may wish to explore the availability of tuition support with their employer and also review the information on financial assistance available through the Industry Training Authority (ITA) of BC.
Is Continuous Enrollment Required?
Continuous enrollment in the two year program is a requirement unless granted a medical leave of absence. If the student fails to obtain a leave of absence or maintain continuous enrollment he or she will be required to apply for a re-admission to the program and re-apply for their apprenticeship license.
