Selkirk College is getting ready to launch two new tech programs that will equip learners with the education and skills required for one of the fastest growing sectors of British Columbia’s economy.
Starting in September 2019, Selkirk will add the Web Application Development Program and the Digital Fabrication & Design Program to its academic offerings.
“Manufacturing is the fourth largest industry in British Columbia and with new technology, it’s fast changing,” says Neil Coburn, Selkirk College’s Vice President of Education. “Our region currently lags behind in this sector of the economy and much of that has to do with the availability of relevant knowledge and skills. Both of these programs will help provide the right education to ensure we have the people who can fill what are typically high paying jobs or use their entrepreneurial savvy to build their own business.”
The Web Application Development Program will be a 10-month certificate program. It will produce graduates with strong coding skills, a solid understanding of business practices, and the skills to communicate clearly and concisely about business technologies. Learners will emerge from the program with the ability to present, implement and maintain emerging web-based technologies in ways that help organizations meet the demands of the ever-changing technical landscape.
The Digital Fabrication & Design Program will be a two-year program with multiple delivery formats. The program will teach applied technical skills to prepare students for a wide variety of digital fabrication careers. With instruction delivered in modules, students will receive the full spectrum of digital fabrication implementations and opportunities such as digital design, 3D printing, CNC (computer numerical control) machining and emerging technologies like robotics.
“These programs are aimed a wide variety of learners,” says Neil. “We are looking at duel-credit high school students, recent high school graduates, working professionals with specific professional development needs in emerging technologies, and mature learners looking for a career change.”
The Provincial Government has allocated $100,000 in start-up funding from the Ministry of Advanced Education, Skills & Training that will enable Selkirk College to further develop and launch both programs.
Selkirk College offers more than 60 academic, career, vocational and technical programs that are full-time, part-time or on-line. Selkirk College has nine campuses/learning centres in seven communities around the West Kootenay and Boundary region.