Why BCIT was voted the top school in Vancouver for a tech education

BCIT is honoured to be named the Top School in Vancouver for Digital-Tech Education in the Georgia Straight’s 23rd Annual Best of Vancouver awards.

BCIT plays a leadership role in addressing the demand for tech talent, offering over 40 different applied programs in Computing and Digital Arts, well-recognized credentials, and a 96% employment rate for degree graduates*.

“Our mandate is to provide workers for BC,” says Bethany Edmunds, Associate Dean of Computing at BCIT. “It’s important for us to listen to our industry partners and figure out where industry is going and what we need to train our students for.”

This alignment with industry trends sets BCIT apart and positions students for successful careers. Through the unique BCIT applied education model, BCIT students not only gain the technical skills, but also the real-world experience and problem-solving abilities needed to embrace complexity and lead innovation in an ever-changing digital economy.

In an article titled, “Tech is flourishing in Vancouver. Here are 5 reasons why,” Microsoft praised the BCIT model, saying, “Studies at this institute of applied education focus on integrating student learning with industry projects, applied research and entrepreneurship so graduates head out to the workforce with the right mix of skills to create breakthroughs in the field.”

Some of BCIT’s digital-tech courses are taught in the BCIT Downtown Campus TEC (Technology Education and Collaboration) Hub, which has collaborative working spaces featuring break-out rooms, modular furniture, moveable walls, and flexible working areas, much like you would see at a tech start-up.

BCIT curriculum is always changing to keep up with the needs of tomorrow, and to meet the growing sector’s needs for more talent, including career changers. Technical Web Designer grad Ainslie Koopmans leapt from hair salon ownership into a tech career by retraining in one of BCIT’s fast-track six-month programs. “It took me almost 20 years to find my career, and I am so thankful and happy that I finally found my place,” says Ainslie.

BCIT programs continue to evolve as industry changes: a new tech entrepreneur option for Computer System Technology students was launched this fall to help meet the needs of startups and students who want to build their own companies, and the Digital Arts department is set to launch a new Advanced Diploma in Technical Arts next fall. Meanwhile, the New Media Design and Web Development program is evolving from a certificate to diploma program in spring 2019 to include more coverage of motion graphics and interactive web design, as well as new courses in digital photography and working with drones.

Thank you, Vancouver, for voting us the best school in digital-tech education (and third in Best School for Continuing Studies) and congratulations to all of the other #BestOfVan winners!

*BC Student Outcomes, Baccalaureate Graduates Survey, prepared by BC Stats (2016).

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