How Flexible Learning helps build your resume and career

Whether you’re a student in high school looking to get your foot in the door at an organization or a professional with years of experience preparing for your next career move, now is an excellent time to upskill or reskill for in-demand jobs. Over the next decade, more than one million job openings are expected in BC, and nearly 80% of these jobs will require post-secondary training or education.

With BCIT Flexible Learning, you can explore the opportunities and develop transferrable skills that give you the flexibility to adapt that has become essential in today’s workforce. Flexible Learning provides a wide range of accredited programs that can be taken on a short-term, part-time, or as-needed basis, so students of all backgrounds can develop new skills and explore new career avenues.

Who is Flexible Learning for?

Flexible Learning at BCIT is designed for you—because really, it’s designed for everyone. There are courses you can take even if you aren’t formally enrolled as a BCIT student, serving as a vital entry point to a variety of in-demand jobs. But there are a few cases where you might find Flexible Learning particularly valuable:

• You’re a working professional who wants to quickly expand your horizons and job prospects without putting your career on hold to study full-time.
• You’re a caretaker or work part-time and can’t commit to a full-time day program but want to upskill.
• You’re a committed employee who loves your line of work or the company you work for, but you need to upskill or reskill if you want to advance.
• You’re a high school student who isn’t quite sure of your career goals, but you’re keen to see what’s out there and to grow your capabilities.
• You’re currently between jobs and would benefit from free online learning modules to identify areas that interest you or microcredentials to quickly familiarize you with the latest information in your field and enhance your resume. 
• You’re on a tight budget and looking for a more accessible and affordable way to earn the post-secondary credentials you need.
• You’ve immigrated from outside Canada, and even though you’re highly qualified in your field, you need to align with Canadian work requirements.
• You’re an international student who is seeking industry-focused skills to help you gain employment locally.

SEE MORE: These Flexible Learning courses can help you pivot quickly

What’s involved in Flexible Learning?

Ultimately, the answer to that question is up to you. The purpose of Flexible Learning is to accommodate diverse needs, desires, and educational preferences, and it encompasses all four of the expanded program offerings at BCIT:

Part-time courses and programs

While BCIT offers a wide range of full-time certificate, diploma, and degree programs, you have many options for part-time study in the areas of business and media, computing and information technology, engineering, trades and apprenticeships, health sciences, and applied and natural sciences. Take a single course to explore an interest or learn a new skill, or work toward completing a credential, course by course. You can take many of these courses virtually or through distance education, in the evening or on weekends. 

Microcredentials

You don’t necessarily need to take an entire certificate or diploma to earn the qualifications you’re after. Instead, you can pursue short, stackable, bite-size courses, and earn digital badges to prove your aptitudes to current and future employers. You’ll also have the option of pursuing additional microcredentials that ladder into a certificate.

Free Online Learning

An ever-expanding catalogue of MOOC courses gives members of our global community like you a chance to increase awareness of topics related to citizenship and social issues, post-secondary study skills, and different industries—and they’re short, self-guided, and free. Essentially, they’re takeaway tools to help enhance your life.

Industry training

Not all learning has to take place on campus, in a classroom. BCIT faculty are respected professionals and active practitioners in their fields with extensive industry connections. As a result, they’re well-positioned to provide customized training tailored to the specific needs of you or your organization—and they can deliver it at your place of work, online, or at a BCIT site.

How can Flexible Learning open doors?

The BCIT curriculum is developed through close consultation with industry, and delivered by instructors who have direct, hands-on experience in their fields. BCIT also provides applied research and industry services, such as customized training opportunities for industry, government, and organizations. That’s why being a student here immediately sets you on course to build and cultivate your professional network, and gain experience doing real work with real companies.

And with Flexible Learning, program credentials at BCIT are extremely modular, meaning you can start with a microcredential or a course, build up credits towards a certificate or associate certificate, and then eventually ladder into a diploma or degree.

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3 major benefits of Flexible Learning

Upskill for in-demand jobs at your own pace

You get to determine how quickly or gradually you progress, and you only pay for what you need. Plus, BCIT is recognized across Canada for producing graduates with especially high employment rates after graduation.

Receive accreditation and ladder up to a credential

Start with one course. If the learning path feels like a fit, take more. You can stack your credits toward a full program credential, such as an associate certificate, certificate, diploma, bachelor’s degree, or master’s degree.

Expand on the breadth and depth of your skills

Learning is a lifelong journey, and the goal of BCIT is to be there for anyone looking to grow or change their career. By gaining interdisciplinary skills, you not only have the job readiness to work on diverse projects and teams, but you can seize new opportunities for innovation across industries.

Flexible Learning at BCIT is all about giving you the choices and support you need to determine your own path forward—but of course, we’re here to support every step of the way. Start exploring Flexible Learning courses and programs—and when you find an option that seems right for you, don’t hesitate to reach out for further guidance and advice.

REGISTER NOW: Find Flexible Learning courses and programs for you.