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Circular Saw Filer Program

The Circular Saw Filer program is designed to provide students with the knowledge and skills required to become a provincially and inter-provincially certified tradesperson. Saw filers fit all types of saws, including circular saws, band saws, gang saws, and chain saws. They operate, repair, and adjust saw sharpening equipment and are competent to bench all circular and gang saws, including tensioning, welding cracks, welding on teeth, and any other work that is usually performed by a saw filer in the lumber manufacturing industry.

Apprenticeship

The saw filer apprentice program is offered at the Williams Lake campus only. The program consists of three trades: Saw fitting, circular saw filer, and benchperson.

Industry Requirements

• To begin an apprenticeship to become a circular saw filer, learners must complete 840 hours of work-based training, working in a saw filing room and assisting saw filers in their work.
• Apprentices must also secure an employer who is approved to provide on-the-job training in saw filing and is willing to register the apprentice and keep a record of their performance.
• Grade 10 education, including English 10, Math 10, and Science 10 or equivalent (Grade 12 preferred).

Saw Filer Level 1 Requirements

• Requires an additional 1680 hours of work-based training.
• 180 hours (six weeks) of in-school training, plus a minimum score of 70 percent on the Level 1 examination.
• Once Level 1 is successfully completed, the saw filer may move on to Level 2.

Saw Filer Level 2 Requirements

• 1,680 hours of work-based training.
• 120 hours (four weeks) of in-school training, plus a minimum score of 70 percent on the certificate of qualification examination.
• When Level 2 is successfully completed, the apprentice is granted a certificate of qualification, a certificate of apprenticeship, and becomes a journeyperson.

Benchperson Level 3 Requirements

A saw filer journeyperson may choose to obtain an additional endorsement as a benchperson by completing Level 3.

• Requires an additional 1,680 hours of work-based training.
• 120 hours (four weeks) of in-school training, plus a mark of 70 percent on the Benchperson Endorsement Examination.

Apprenticeship Training Dates

The following training dates are available:

• Circular Saw Filer - Level 1: September 14, 2026 - October 23, 2026, Williams Lake
• Circular Saw Filer - Level 2: October 26, 2026 - November 20, 2026, Williams Lake
• Circular Saw Filer - Level 1: January 4, 2027 - February 12, 2027, Williams Lake
• Circular Saw Filer - Level 2: February 16, 2027 - March 12, 2027, Williams Lake
• Circular Saw Filer - Benchperson Endorsement - Level 3: November 23, 2026 - December 18, 2026, Williams Lake
• Circular Saw Filer - Benchperson Endorsement - Level 3: March 15, 2027 - April 9, 2027, Williams Lake

Apprenticeship Costs

The costs for the apprenticeship program are as follows:

• Four weeks tuition and fees: $518.52
• Six weeks tuition and fees: $776.34
• One-time application fee: $32.27