Types of Programs

Workshops and advising sessions will help you explore your post-secondary options.

There are four main types of post-secondary programs that you will be able to explore with your YOU CAN GO access worker. Before coming to a workshop or advising session, it is worth becoming familiar with these four types of programs and thinking a bit about your own preferences.

Apprenticeships

Advantages:
  • On-the-job experience
  • Paid as you learn
  • Wide variety of programs available (over 50 in Canada)
  • Relatively inexpensive (you pay for classes only)
  • Small class sizes
  • Can begin in high school in some provinces

Challenges:

  • Full-time commitment
  • Limited availability in some cases
  • Can be long (2-5 years)

Community Colleges

Advantages:
  • Develop specific, practical skills
  • Wide range of studies available
  • Receive diploma or certificate recognized across Canada
  • Shorter time requirements (1-3 years)
  • Less expensive than university
  • Small class sizes

 Challenges:

  • More expensive than apprenticeship
  • Certificate/diploma is not sufficient for admission to university graduate programs
  • Competitive entrance requirements

Universities

Advantages:

  • Wide variety of academic programs and classes
  • Both specialized and broad areas of study available
  • Degree widely recognized throughout Canada and internationally
  • Can attend full/part-time or in some cases, co-op programs
  • Summer programs available

Challenges:

  • Significant time commitment (3-5 years or longer)
  • Higher tuition costs than colleges or apprenticeships
  • May have to live away from home to enrol in desired program (+ living expenses)
  • Class sizes can be large

Private Vocational Institutions

Advantages:
  • Job-oriented training programs
  • Specialized training
  • Wide variety of topics and programs
  • Hands-on
  • Very flexible
  • Multiple entry points throughout the year
  • Variable lengths
  • Provides skills to get a job quickly
  • Small class sizes
  • Correspondence courses may be available
  • May not require high school diploma for entrance

Challenges:

  • Need to ensure that certificates are recognized
  • Programs tend to be expensive