Jobs in the natural gas industry require specialized training or post-secondary education. This section will help you know where to go to find that training or education.

Finding education and training for specific occupations can be confusing.

• There can be multiple programs for some occupations, and none for other occupations.
• Some institutions offer programs (and issue credentials) that are provincially or nationally recognized while others do not
• Some occupations require licenses or professional designations from provincial and/or national levels of government and organizations.
• Employers may prefer one program or credential or institution over others
• Lots of institutions, organizations and companies provide occupational education and training programs and the quality standards are not the same for all.

You may also be new to the workforce or the natural gas industry and need to start from the beginning. Or, you may have previous training or experience which could apply from working in another industry. For those with previous experience or established skills, understanding how to have that knowledge and expertise recognized – while challenging – can help you qualify more quickly for that desired job or occupation. In either case you will need to take a specific trade, technical, college, or university program to upgrade your existing knowledge, skills, or credentials.

Post-secondary institutions

Colleges, polytechnics, and universities – public and private-are good sources of information and programs for all kinds of occupations. Don’t forget to check out the over 500 private career colleges located throughout British Columbia.

• • For a list ofpublic colleges, universities and polytechnics in BC and links to their websites, see Table 6
  • For links to provincially certified private training institutions click here
  • For a list of public colleges, universities and polytechnics authorized to grant degrees in BC, visit the Ministry of Advanced Education & Training website here
  • For a list of resources and information for First Nations, Métis and Inuit Students to help you plan your post-secondary journey and to support you while you are at school, click here
  • To find post-secondary institutions that offer Indigenous programs, click here
  • To view a list of Indigenous Adult and Higher Learning Association (IAHLA) Institutes, click here

 

Table 6: Post-Secondary Education and Training in BC

Post-Secondary Education and Training in BC
Colleges
Camosun College	Coast Mountain College
College of New Caledonia	College of the Rockies
Douglas College	Langara College
North Island College	Northern Lights College
Okanagan College	Selkirk College
Vancouver Community College
Universities
Capilano University	Emily Carr University of Art and Design
Kwantlen Polytechnic University	Royal Roads University
Simon Fraser University	Thompson Rivers University
University of British Columbia	University of the Fraser Valley
University of Northern British Columbia	University of Victoria
Vancouver Island University
Polytechnics
British Columbia Institute of Technology	Justice Institute of BC: New Westminster
Nicola Valley Institute of Technology
Provincially Authorized Private Degree-Granting Institutions (BC)
Acsenda School of Management	Adler University
Alexander College	Athabasca University
City University of Seattle	Columbia College
Coquitlam College	Corpus Christi College
Fairleigh Dickinson University	Fraser International College
Gonzaga University	LaSalle College Vancouver (formerly Art Institute of Vancouver)
New York Institute of Technology	Northeastern University
Pacific Coast University for Workplace Health Sciences	Queen’s University
Quest University Canada	Trinity Western University
University Canada West	Yorkville University

Thinking of a Trade?

Why choose a career in the trades?

1. Satisfaction: Trades people report high levels of job satisfaction and increased confidence.
2. Opportunity: Skilled tradespeople are in demand. There’s a shortage of skilled workers – which means jobs and opportunities for women and men with trades training, skills and certification.
3. Money: The average wage of a tradesperson is double that of a retail job. Step into the trades and up to a good paycheck.

 

What is an apprenticeship?

An apprenticeship is a combination of on-the-job training and classroom learning that leads to a provincially or nationally recognized trade credential or “ticket” as it is often referred to (nationally recognized credentials are often referred to as a “Red Seal ticket”. Once you have a ticket, it means you are legally qualified to work as a tradesperson in the trade you apprenticed for and received a credential for. You can start an apprenticeship in high school or after you graduate.

The Industry Training Authority manages over one-hundred trade programs in British Columbia, forty-nine of which are Red Seal. Through the program, tradespersons are able to obtain a Red Seal endorsement on their provincial/territorial certificates by successfully completing an interprovincial Red Seal examination. The Red Seal Program acknowledges their competence and ensures recognition of their certification throughout Canada without further examination. The Red Seal Program is recognized as the interprovincial standard of excellence in the skilled trades.
For those interested in learning about apprenticeship training leading to certification in a trade, visit the Industry Training Authority (ITA) website. https://www.itabc.ca/discover-apprenticeship-programs/search-programs

Trades training is available at BC’s colleges, polytechnics and at accredited labour organizations.

Video 7: Skilled Trades Employment Program – Four STEP Stories Videos (2 minutes each)

Learning Activity 4: Finding a training program for a job

Instructions

1. Review the list created in Learning Activity 1 and complete the following exercise
2. Use the list that you have been making since Learning Activity 1. Hopefully there are 2 or 3 or more jobs there that you are interested in.
3. Using the internet and the names of the schools listed above, see if you can find a program that offers training related to one the jobs on your list. Don’t be discouraged if you cannot find an exact program match.
4. Keep the list and the information for Section 3 of the program: Career Awareness

 

Financial Support

Financing your education and training takes money. As you consider your choices, be sure to check out bursaries, grants, scholarships and other financial help that is available to you. Below are a few websites where you can find information about potential funding for education and training. Be sure to check other sources too, e.g., industry associations, corporations, non-profit organizations, post-secondary institutions and other levels of government.

Website 18: Government of British Columbia

https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/employment-business/economic-development/funding-and-grants/bc-employer-training-grant

Website 19: Industry Training Authority

https://www.itabc.ca/grants-tax-credits/grants

Website 20: BC Access Grant

https://www.bcbudget.gov.bc.ca/2020/economy.htm

Website 21: Inspire – Indigenous Education Funding