Cariboo Post Secondary Education & Training Resource Guide

There is big demand for healthcare, technical, and trades professionals in the Cariboo. Best of all, you won't have to leave the region to get the training you need. There are also university degree and post-grad options in the region. Visit the links below to learn more about the options available.

• College of New Caledonia
• University of Northern British Columbia, South-Central Campus 
• Thompson Rivers University – Williams Lake Campus 
• Thompson Rivers University – 100 Mile Campus
• Cariboo Chilcotin Aboriginal Training Employment Centre Society (CCATEC)

College of New Caledonia (CNC), Quesnel Campus

Located in Quesnel, CNC strives to provide programming to help transition students into the labour force, with varied offerings at the Quesnel Campus, including trades, diplomas, and opportunities for university transfer courses. Please visit their website to learn about all of their course offerings. Here are a few offered annually.  

• Bookkeeping Certificate (1 year)
• Business Management Certificate (1 year)
• Carpenter (6 months)
• Health Care Assistant Certificate (1 year)
• Industrial Mechanic (6 months)
• Medical Office Assistant Associate Certificate (6 months)
• Nursing Baccalaureate (2 years)

University of Northern British Columbia (UNBC), South-Central Campus

With a campus in Quesnel, UNBC is working with the community, offering programs to serve the regional population and providing opportunities for students to earn their degrees locally.

Four-Year Degree Programs Offered in Quesnel

• Bachelor of Science in Nursing (4 years)
• Bachelor of Social Work (4 years) 
• Bachelor of Education (BEd) - Regional | University of Northern British Columbia (unbc.ca) (4 years)

Certificate Programs

Current offerings can be found on the UNBC Academic Calendar.

Online Masters Programs

• MScN
• MA in Disability Management
• MA in development economics
• MSc in Health Sciences 

Thompson Rivers University (TRU), Williams Lake Campus

The Williams Lake TRU campus offers both core programs and unique courses tailored to the local job market. Offering diploma and certificate programs, trades apprenticeships, and some first year university courses, this facility is helping students build skills and transition into careers.

• Bachelor of Arts Year 1 (4 years)
• Bachelor of Science in Nursing Year 1 & 2 (4 years)
• Carpenter Level 1 & 2 (30 weeks)
• Education Assistant and Community Support Certificate (8 months)
• Electrical - Construction Level 1 & 2 (24 weeks)
• Health Care Assistant (27weeks)
• Heavy Mechanical Foundation (29 weeks)
• Human Services Diploma (2 years)
• Practical Nursing Diploma (2 years)
• Regenerative Agriculture Diploma (1 year)
• Saw Filer Apprenticeship Program 
• Welder Foundation Level 1 & 2 (28 weeks)

Thompson Rivers University (TRU), 100 Mile Campus

This campus offers programs in First Aid, Professional Development & Leadership, Safety and Trades. Please visit their website to see current program offerings.

Cariboo Chilcotin Aboriginal Training Employment Centre (CCATEC)

CCATEC is dedicated to building a healthy future by supporting holistic, culturally appropriate programming and services to help Aboriginal people find employment and become economically self sufficient. Training offerings change depending upon community needs. Visit www.ccatec.com to learn more about their programs.

Additional Training Opportunities

Industry Training Authority (ITA)

ITA is responsible for leading and coordinating the skilled trades training and credentialing system for the province. ITA provides strategic leadership, policy support and customer services to help apprentices, employers, and industry. ITA sets program standards, maintains credential records, and issues the highly regarded Interprovincial Red Seal and B.C. Certificate of Qualifications (C of Q) credentials. The ITA has local Apprenticeship Advisors situated throughout the province.

In the Cariboo you can contact Dave Coleman by email at dcoleman@itabc.ca or phone at 778-997-2848. Apprenticeship Advisors can help with any questions regarding the apprenticeship training and trades certification system in BC. We can help you search out the more than 100 trades options in BC.

WorkBC

WorkBC can assist clients with career exploration to discover what path suits best their needs, as well as finding training opportunities. Funding may be available pending eligibility. Connect with your local WorkBC office to find out more about their services.

• WorkBC – 100 Mile House
• WorkBC – Williams Lake
• WorkBC – Quesnel

Cariboo Chilcotin Partners for Literacy (CCPL)

CCPL are community members committed to promoting literacy through awareness, advocacy and by initiating and supporting learning opportunities. They work collaboratively and in partnership with others in response to individual and community needs focused on marginalized learners and to inspire lifelong learning.​ Programs are free and include: 

• One-on-one Tutoring
• English as a Second Language Learning
• Group Learning Opportunities
• Financial & Digital Literacy
• Settlement & Integration

Visit www.caribooliteracy.com for more information.

Literacy Quesnel Society

This society believes that literacy is essential to the health of the community and is a part of everything we do. They offer programs and events to help participants build individual skills to improve life, and access training. Visit literacyquesnel.ca for more information.