British Columbia Education Degrees & Training

Curriculum, Secondary, and Primary Education Degrees in British Columbia

British Columbia career colleges and training programs

The province of British Columbia extends across Canada's west coast. Vancouver is the epicenter of both British Columbia career training and employment. In addition, the provincial capital Victoria offers public- and private-sector career opportunities.

British Columbia career training options

British Columbia boasts one of the highest rates of college completion in Canada. According to the British Columbia Ministry of Advanced Education's Campus 2020 report, 57.9 percent of the population has some post-secondary education, higher than the national average. British Columbia career colleges are committed to expanding access to higher education for all students. Currently, the region is served by a public higher education system and an array of private, British Columbia technical schools and career colleges. The public system, subsidized by the government, includes 11 universities, 11 colleges and three career institutes.

To expand access, British Columbia's Higher Education Board will develop new online education programs and expand capacity at public institutions. Affordable tuition is a key priority. For the 2010-2011 school year, the average annual tuition cost was $3048 for colleges and institutes and $4353 for universities.

Working in British Columbia

British Columbia's economy has diversified from its roots in forestry. Today, retail, professional services and construction drive the province's economy. Vancouver, British Columbia's largest city and a gateway to Pacific Rim trade, offers the broadest array of career opportunities. In addition to international trade, the city's main industries include technology, banking, film and tourism. Vancouver's R&D credits include developments in fuel cell technology and satellites. Major high-tech companies like IBM, Nokia, Microsoft and Intel have operation centers here. Vancouver's financial district is home to HSBC Canada and Vancity headquarters, among other financial services employers. The median household income in British Columbia was $66,700 in 2009, according to Canadian census data reported by CANSIM.

Author: Dr. Clare Kaufman is a freelance writer who covers business and education topics.

Sources:

BC Stats: British Columbia • Labour and income • http://www.bcstats.gov.bc.ca/ • http://www.bcstats.gov.bc.ca/data/lss/faq_lab.asp

British Columbia Ministry of Advanced Education • Campus 2020: Thinking Ahead • http://www.aved.gov.bc.ca/ • http://www.aved.gov.bc.ca/campus2020/campus2020-thinkingahead-report.pdf

British Columbia Ministry of Advanced Education • Tuition Fees • http://www.aved.gov.bc.ca/ • http://www.aved.gov.bc.ca/tuition/welcome.htm

CANSIM: Statistics Canada • Median total income, by family type, by province and territory • http://www40.statcan.ca • http://www40.statcan.ca/l01/cst01/famil108a-eng.htm

What Are Career Prospects Like For People With An Education Degree?
In a word: excellent. The Bureau of Labor calculates that education is the largest industry sector in employment terms. It is also predicted to grow by 26.4% between 2002 and 2012 according to the Occupational Outlook Handbook (a Bureau of Labor publication). This is due, in part, to the shortage of teachers and also the fact that many are reaching retirement age or leaving the profession for other reasons. This combined with the baby boom means that opportunities in education are widespread. You may find that training requirements vary widely when seeking employment at different educational establishments. You might need to be accredited in your State, so make sure you check with your college.

What Will I Learn During My Education Degree Training Courses?
Your Education degree courses may include educational theory, curriculum design, student development and presentation skills. If you are interested in teaching a particular subject you will generally be required to have previous industry experience and/or a degree in that subject already. Good written and verbal communication skills are essential as are reasonable levels of math and an ability to explain concepts in a number of different ways. You might find the virtues of patience and good time management pretty useful too!

Education Career and Technical Schools in British Columbia:

Education Degree Training Programs in British Columbia: