University

Careers Certificate Program

Our Careers Certificate Program is a recognized partnership between Nanaimo Ladysmith Public Schools and Vancouver Island University.

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Careers Certificate Program

Certified Dual Credit

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In partnership with Vancouver Island University

Careers Certificate Program

Our Careers Certificate Programs enables high school students to work towards both their high school diploma and a post-secondary certificate program at the same time. Successful applicants benefit from having 100% of their post-secondary tuition costs covered by the CTC.

As a Dual Credit student, you will attend a certificate program at a partner post-secondary institution and receive credits that count towards your high-school diploma and the certificate program.

This program is intended to be part of your graduation plan and is NOT available to graduated students. Please work with your school counsellor and the CTC Careers Coordinator to create your transition plan. Grade 10 is the ideal time to start your plan but Grade 11 or the start of grade 12 can also work. You can apply for the Careers Certificate Program if you are an ungraduated high school student and will not graduate before the program starts. You must complete the program by August 31st the school year you turn 19.

Program Overview

As a Dual Credit student, you will attend a certificate program at a partner post-secondary institution and receive credits that count towards your high-school diploma and the certificate program

Applied Business Technology

The program offers Office Administrative. Students can expect to spend one or two hours per day on homework. A two-week work placement practicum is available at the end of the program for eligible students. To receive the certificate, students must pass all courses and maintain a minimum “C” grade average in the program. Good attendance is mandatory.

Admission Requirements

General admission requirements apply.
Minimum “C” in English 12, and minimum “C” in either Mathematics 10 or Apprenticeship and Workplace Mathematics 10, or equivalent.

Note: Students who do not meet the minimum “C” grade in English 12 and minimum “C” grade in either Mathematics 10 or Apprenticeship and Workplace Mathematics 10 prerequisites for this program can write an assessment test.

For further information about the ABT program please contact the Advising Centre.

The Dental Assistant Certificate Program

This program, recognized by the College of Dental Surgeons of British Columbia (CDSBC), and accredited by the Commission on Dental Accreditation of Canada (CDAC), is designed to provide students with opportunities to develop the knowledge, skills and values necessary to be a member of the dental team; providing care, support and services for individuals of all ages.

Upon successful completion of the Dental Assistant program, students will be granted a certificate. Students must then write a National Board exam which, upon successful completion and combined with the certificate, makes them eligible to apply for registration and licensure with the College of Dental Surgeons of B.C. as a Certified Dental Assistant (CDA – Level II).

There is a shortage of Early Childhood Educators in BC and Canada. In response to this, the Ministry of Education is supporting School Districts to find creative ways to introduce students to the ECEC Career in the hope that many will continue into this or related careers.

This (100% cost-free) opportunity is developing and changing as we move forward.

Successful students will earn 3 University credits in one ECEC core course, and 4 high school elective credits toward graduation and be able to apply for ECEC Assistant to Practice certification allowing them to work in both public and private daycares as an assistant.  We will also help interested students apply to the full ECEC program.

To be eligible students must have either completed English 12 or be enrolled in it, during the first semester.

The Community Support and Education Assistant Program

This program includes both theoretical studies and practical applications for working with people who have disabilities, across the life span. The core and specialty courses provide students with the skills and knowledge to work in schools and community. The program is offered with courses rotated.

Acceptance into the program does not mean that students will be placed into a practicum. Students will be individually assessed as to their readiness for the practicums in terms of skills, knowledge and personal suitability. Placement into a practicum will be at the discretion of the program Chair.

Students who successfully complete the program will receive a Vancouver Island University certificate. This certificate may ladder into other Human Services diplomas and degrees.

Admission Requirements

  • English 12 with a minimum “C” grade, or equivalent.
  • Group interview.
  • Two letters of reference.
  • Résumé with covering letter.

Recommendations for Admission

  • Volunteer or paid experience working with people who are mentally, physically or behaviourally challenged.

For more information see: https://www.viu.ca/programs/human-services/education-assistant-and-community-support

Health Care Assistant

The program prepares students for employment in complex care facilities, extended care units, acute care, home support agencies and residential settings. Graduates will work primarily with older adults.

Admission Requirements

For more information see: Health Care Assistant

Information Technology & Applied Systems

The Information Technology and Applied Systems (ITAS) department offer two information technology diploma programs for prospective students to choose from. They are the Systems Administration and Networking diploma and the Web and Mobile Development diploma. Both programs were developed in concert with local and global industry input to recognize the rapid growth in the IT sector and the need for skilled graduates who can fill the current and projected high-demand job openings. Featuring small class sizes and hands-on experiential learning, graduates in either program will have the employable skill sets needed to begin their IT careers!

Systems and network administrators are a key part of the IT workforce. They work with servers, operating systems, and the networking equipment that keep companies operating and online. This includes applications such as e-mail and web server management both in the cloud and in data centers all while maintaining strong cybersecurity practices.

Web and mobile developers design and implement user-friendly web and mobile applications that support multiple mobile devices and web browsers to ensure that an organization’s clients and customers can access their online services.

About 90% of graduates enter the IT workforce directly after completing their diploma with VIU and their 5-year surveys show a great track record of industry progression in terms of career ascension and wages with continual learning and training funded by the employer.

Continued Studies:

Both pathways are accepted directly into the 3rd equivalent year of the Bachelor of Applied Information Systems Technology – Information Systems 4-year major at Northern Alberta Institute of Technology with the 4th year being a paid co-op position.

https://www.nait.ca/programs/baist-information-systems?term=2022-fall

https://www.nait.ca/programs/baist-network-management?term=2022-fall

Students can also ladder into the 3rd year of VIU’s comp-sci degree program and receive credit towards first and second-year comp-sci electives with their ITAS diploma. (Some additional course work required)

https://www.viu.ca/programs/science-and-technology/computer-science-bsc

Credit for IT Certifications:

Some applicants may already hold industry certifications such as CompTIA’s A+®, Security+®, Microsoft’s MCSA, MCSE, Adobe/Macromedia’s MMCP, or others. ITAS gives credit for selected IT certifications towards an ITAS diploma.

Admission Requirements

  • General admission requirements apply.
  • Letter of application describing reasons for wanting to take the program (500 – 1,000 words). Include name and contact information, including email. A handout is available outlining the required content of application letter.

Recommendations for Admission

  • One of Principles of Mathematics 12, Applications of Mathematics 12, or Foundations of Mathematics 12.
  • Two years of previous experience with computers, including experience installing and maintaining operating systems, and using office productivity software.
  • ICT 11 & 12 (High School Info Tech).

For more information see: Information Technology & Applied Systems

Program Coordinator

Contact Rob Gowan-Smith for information around Careers Certificate Program.

Phone: 250-754-2447
Email: rob.Gowan-Smith@sd68.bc.ca

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