Especially as families from all walks of life begin to consider studying abroad, foreign education is no longer simply an embellishment. A degree is not as valuable as a skill. Many international students these days tend to study a technical program. So today, we will go over the path of study and emigration for technical programs.
In North America, post-secondary schools are generally divided into University and College/Institution. This division is not based on quality of education but on the types of subjects and degrees offered by the schools. Universities, as a comprehensive establishment, offers academic courses at all levels, from undergraduate to postgraduate to doctoral. Colleges are geared towards technical courses and generally only provide two-year diplomas. Though institutions are also colleges, they sit closer to universities by offering undergraduate and a few postgraduate courses.
Compared with the United States, the Canadian government is very strict in the management of schools. On the website of the Immigration Bureau, you can find out whether a college can apply for study visas and whether its students are qualified to apply for a work visa after graduation. Only graduates from public schools are eligible for a 1-3 year post-graduation work permit.
For international students whose ultimate goal is immigration, it is very important to apply for a work visa after graduation because they will be able to obtain Canadian permanent resident status after completing their studies and working in Canada for 1-2 years.
The British Columbia Institute of Technology
(BCIT) is a public school established in 1964 by the B.C. government in Canada. As the largest public comprehensive higher education institution of science and engineering in Canada with the most extensive specialties and the most advanced science and technology, BCIT has five campuses, seven colleges, and about 450 specialties. It is also the first school in Canada to obtain Chinese academic qualifications.
Sprott Shaw College, founded in 1903, is one of the oldest private colleges in Canada. Its headquarters is located in Vancouver. They are also one of the largest colleges in B.C. with 20 campuses in the province. The college has nearly 400 full-time employees and about 5,000 students. With a long history and good reputation, it has won 20 "Credit Certificates" of higher education issued by the B.C. government. It is among the best in scale, quality of teaching, and graduate employment rate.
Admission standards vary according to the different subjects but the biggest challenge for many international applicants is language. Generally speaking, undergraduate students should have an IELTS score of at least 6.5 with some science courses requiring a score of 7. In comparison, college requirements are relatively low.
In recent years, some far-sighted parents have brought their children to Canada to attend high school after completing junior high school in China, so that their children can quickly improve their language skills during their three years high school while also adapting to Canadian school and life in advance. They can also avoid needing to provide IELTS scores when applying for university.
Your choice of discipline plays a decisive role in your future career. We recommend the following majors that offer high salaries and are experiencing workforce shortages today.
Preschool Education
Professional preschool education talents are in short supply both in Canada and China. In Canada, the starting salary of preschool graduates is $18CAD per hour. Many students in the field have found jobs before graduation.
Aircraft operation and maintenance
With the development of the aerospace industry, the demand for pilots and maintenance personnel is increasing year by year. Compared to the high requirements for pilot selection in China, the threshold in Canada is much lower. In Canada, as long as you are healthy, there is no barrier for nearsightedness and no rigid height requirement, making this a perfect opportunity for many people who dream of space.
Similarly, aircraft maintenance is a high-paying profession both in Canada and China. In Canada, the employment prospects are very good and the starting salary for graduates is on average between $60,000 CAD and $70,000 CAD. Although the science requirements for this major are high, BCIT provides real-life practice, which gives students a great deal of rare hands-on experience.
Applicants who pass the language test have a wide selection of schools to choose from and a high success rate. But how can those whose language scores are not perfect study in Canada with the least amount of trouble and effort? The secret is in choosing the right course.
Dual Admission
Students who have passed the IELTS know it may take more than a year to overcome the gap of half a mark. For students who are good at the language but just one step below the admission requirements, double admission is the quickest and most stable solution that allows them to formally enroll after completing one or two language courses. BCIT International Language Course provides a perfect upgrading course for international students with poor language scores. Students can take the course in place of their IELTS scores and formally enter the professional courses as long as they successfully pass the internal examinations.
Direct Transfer Program
Students with average language scores need not be discouraged. The best option in this case is to transfer course credit from an academic college directly to BCIT. Sprott Shaw College currently offers preschool education, business administration, and hotel management courses. After graduating from these courses, students can directly transfer their credits towards the corresponding BCIT programs and graduate from BCIT in as early as 2.5 years, after which they can apply for a three-year work visa. Students can enroll in professional courses at Sprott Shaw College as long as they pass the entrance examination. Their courses also provide opportunities for Co-op (paid internship) so that students are able to accumulate work experience in Canada to help them find better jobs after graduation.
Canadian schools tend to have the most suitable channels for any kind of prospective international student. While many countries are increasingly tightening immigration policies, Canada is doing the opposite and increasing the number of immigrants received every year while favouring applicants who have experience in studying in Canada. We recommend finding a promising field of study for yourself, so that your time is not wasted.
