British Columbia Trades Degrees & Training

Construction, Electricians, Carpenters, Mechanics, and CDL Training 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

The booming housing market and excellent long-term prospects for people with a knack for fixing things means a strong future market for construction, repair and HVAC technicians. If you were the kind of kid who took apart all of your toys just to see how they worked, a future in the trades may be ideal for you. To succeed in the construction and repair trades, you need a strong work ethic, manual dexterity, and a concern for quality. Another plus is that these jobs are less likely to be outsourced than white-collar jobs.

If you believe that becoming a mechanic is your ideal career, you should also have some ability to work well with others. Most repair facilities involve some teamwork, and you should also be able to interact well with customers. If your plans include opening your own shop, consider taking some basic business courses as well as those in your trade. A little business knowledge goes a long way in making sure that all of your hard work and investment produce a profitable business. There are many valuable professions in the trades, and whichever you choose, you can be assured that this is the sort of job that won't haunt you at night. In today's stressed, outsourced, and downsized economy, a job like that can be extremely valuable.

Trades Career and Technical Schools in British Columbia:

Trades Degree Training Programs in British Columbia:

- Automotive

- Electrician

Construction, Electricians, Carpenters, Mechanics, and CDL Training in British Columbia

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Automotive Training Centre - Surrey

Train now to make cars your career. The Automotive Training Centre was created in 1984 and since that time has helped thousands of graduates realize their dream of a career in the automotive field. We offer full and part-time programs on campus, plus home-study programs through our e-learning division.

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Vancouver Career College - Burnaby

We develop our programs in consultation with the health care and business communities to ensure that our students meet industry demands. This gives our graduates the best opportunities for success and employment. The staff at Vancouver Career College has one goal: to give you the training and skills for career success. Our experienced instructors will prepare you to compete and succeed in the current job market. We offer courses in: Business, Health Care, and Technology.

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Vancouver Career College - Surrey

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Higher Education: Colleges and Universities

Higher education is education provided by universities, vocational universities (community colleges, liberal arts colleges, and technical colleges, etc.) and other collegial institutions that award academic degrees, such as career colleges following the completion of a school that provides secondary education, such as a high school and secondary K-12 schools.

University of Phoenix

University of Phoenix is the largest private university in North America.

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DeVry University

Real Degree Programs. Real Rewards.

Study by day, night or website

Accounting. Computer Forensics.
Biomedical Engineering. Surprised?

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