Trade Schools and Colleges in Vancouver

Last Updated March 30, 2020

Trade schools and colleges in Vancouver enable students of all backgrounds to start putting their talents to use in engaging careers.

As the engine of British Columbia's economy and the heart of Canada's booming international trade throughout the Pacific Rim, Vancouver provides an almost perfect launching point for many kinds of aspirational pursuits—especially creative ones.

Pursuing your degree or vocational training in Vancouver lets you live in one of the country's best locations. The city typically enjoys mild weather thanks its proximity to the Pacific Ocean, making it warm compared to other places in Canada. And public transit is a big plus for students in the region. For example, TransLink operates a vast network of transportation options that make getting around the city easy, whether you live downtown or in the outer reaches of the suburbs.

Plus, you can't beat the energy that comes from the city's rich cultural diversity. And colourful neighborhoods—many of them ethnic—exist all over the Greater Vancouver area, which is home to almost 2.3 million people according to 2011 estimates from Tourism Vancouver. That gives you lots of inspiring places to explore when you're not in class.

So expand your vision of the future. These Vancouver trade schools and colleges are set up to help you design a life that exceeds your brightest expectations. Inquire about any of them that capture your interest right now!

Check out the 3 Hot Career Areas in Vancouver That Really Stand Out.

Featured Schools

3 Hot Career Areas in Vancouver That Really Stand Out

What makes Vancouver a special place to grow your career? Well, it has a highly diversified economy for one thing. It relies upon a vibrant mixture of professionals from many different industries ranging from the skilled trades to healthcare to business. And you can't overlook Vancouver's thriving tourism and hospitality industries. People come from all over the world to visit places like the famous Stanley Park, which is even larger than Central Park in New York City.

Simply put, the city's economy generates a powerful variety of opportunities across the entire Lower Mainland region of BC. But here are three especially intriguing career sectors worth paying attention to:

1. Digital Media and the Creative Arts

Vancouver is home to some of the best art and digital media programs in the world. And, between the film, video game, and interactive learning and entertainment industries, this sector continues to create wealth and new jobs each year. According to the City of Vancouver, more than 1,150 digital media companies are located in BC, employing about 16,500 Canadians and generating $3 billion in sales. And many of those companies are located in Greater Vancouver. That's one reason the region has been dubbed "Hollywood North."

2. Education

Vancouver is a major educational hub for British Columbia. The city's vast array of post-secondary schools draw roughly 150,000 international exchange students to the region on an annual basis. And close to 50,000 students are enrolled in one of the city's 58 private vocational and career-training institutions.

But students aren't the only ones flocking to Vancouver for the opportunities. Professional educators form a key demographic within the city. And it doesn't necessarily take much to get started in this field. Many people begin their careers in areas like early childhood education or special-education assistance since you don't have to spend very long in school to become qualified for them.

3. Information and Communications Technology (ICT)

If you have a big interest in electronics and connection technologies, then Vancouver is the place to be. Over 7,000 technology companies call British Columbia home, and they employ about 75,000 people in Vancouver alone. So, by getting the right vocational skills, you can go after careers in fun and interesting areas like computer systems design, software programming, web development, or network engineering and administration.