Private Career College in Canada
Private Career Colleges have been a part of the Post Secondary Education system for a hundred years. The province of Ontario has 450 registered private Career Colleges. They provide an alternative to training offered by publicly funded Colleges and Universities. The programs prepare the students for the job market and focus on training for a clearly defined occupation.
PRIVATE CAREER COLLEGE PROGRAMS
Programs can be either Registered or Non-registered. Colleges offering Registered courses must be registered under the Private Career Colleges Act. Registered courses are assessed by the Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities. Make sure your contract clearly states whether the course you are taking is Registered or Non-registered.
Residential programs
Students usually reside on campus. Classes will be on a full- or part-time basis, during the day or evening.
Combination programs
This is a combination of on campus and off campus learning. The majority is done by correspondence. These programs can be either registered or not registered.
Apprenticeship programs
Many trades are regulated under the Apprenticeship and Certification Act, 1998. All persons practicing those trades, (mechanic, carpenter, tool and die, hairdresser) must have a Certificate of Qualification obtained through apprenticeship training.
Correspondence programs
Hundreds of programs are available by correspondence. Very few of those are registered under the Private Career Colleges Act. These programs are usually taken to learn something, not to learn a trade. Examples are: basic driver’s education, speed reading, belly-dancing, personal development, recreational classes.
For enrolment in most courses you need grade 12 or be at least 19 years old. A good program will provide the student with the skills needed to meet the minimum employment standards of their trade. It does not guarantee employment.
