North Island College is now offering tuition-free training aimed at helping people find jobs in growing sectors of the economy.
The new programs include both short micro-credential offerings and full-length programs starting this month and in March.
(Micro-credentials are short courses that help people gain specific skills for high-demand careers. The short duration makes it easier for people to fit in learning around their work and family commitments).
They’re being offered in either fully digital or in a ‘blended’ format that mixes digital and classroom learning.
Micro-credential courses being offered at NIC include ‘Skills for Film and Television’, and ‘Medical Terminology Skills for Office Administration’.
These new courses are some of 24 new micro-credential programs being offered at 15 of B.C.’s public post-secondary institutions, supported by a total investment of $4 million ($2 million from the province and $2 million from the Canada-BC Workforce Development Agreement).
This is in addition to new short-term skills training courses to be offered through NIC, including in subjects from warehousing skills, to carpentry foundations, to basic digital skills.
“After a very difficult year, this training is about helping students start 2021 by gaining skills that will help them find employment in growing areas of our economy,” said Cheryl O’Connell, Dean of Trades & Technical Programs at NIC.
“Best of all, students can access these programs at no cost, which is very exciting and means that financial barriers won’t get in the way of starting a new career,” O’Connell added.
Funding for these programs is being supported by the B.C. government.
The new programs include:
- Fundamentals of GIS Mapping and Drone Operations (Micro-credential). Starts Feb 22, eight weeks; Campbell River-based blended delivery. Tuition-free for qualified applicants. Students will learn the fundamentals of geographic information system (GIS) mapping and drone operations, with a focus on emerging technologies, data collection methods and more. They’ll also receive Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems (RPAS) instruction focused on preparing them for the Basic RPAS pilot license exam. Highly-transferable skills means employment opportunities across various sectors, such as forestry, aquaculture and resource and environmental management.
- Parts and Warehousing Person Foundation Certificate. Starts March 1, 20 weeks; Campbell River-based blended delivery. Tuition-free for qualified applicants. Students will gain the necessary skills to manage warehouse operations and systems, inventory control, ordering and more. Employment opportunities include work in the automotive, commercial transportation and resource trades.
- Motion Picture Production Assistant. Micro-credential. Starts March 1st, 12 weeks; digital delivery. Tuition-free for qualified applicants. Students will gain on-set skills — including communication, protocols and film terminology — plus Motion Picture Industry Orientation, Motion Picture Safety and WHMIS certificates that are required to work in BC’s thriving TV and film industry.-
- Motion Picture Craft Services. Micro-credential. Starts March 8th, nine weeks; digital delivery. Tuition-free for qualified applicants. Students will gain on-set skills — including communication, protocols and film terminology — plus Motion Picture Industry Orientation, Motion Picture Safety and WHMIS certificates that are required to work in BC’s thriving TV and film industry.
- Fabricator-Welder Micro-credential combination. Starts March 8th, 32 weeks; Port Alberni-based blended delivery. Tuition-free for qualified applicants. Students will earn Metal Fabricator and Welder Level 1 technical training through four micro-credentials. Course content develops their essential workplace skills and provides them with the opportunity to earn certificates in Occupational First Aid Level 1, WHMIS and Forklift Operation. Along with the new programs, NIC is also offering two new intakes of a previously offered tuition-free program.
- Wildfire Crew Member Training. Starts March 1st, four weeks; Campbell River & Port Alberni. Tuition-free for qualified applicants. Students gain the skills, knowledge and certifications required for entry-level employment as a wildland fire crew. Seats in these new programs are limited and interested students are advised to get their applications in quickly.
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