Attendance Options

At the Career Center, learning is based on competency. That means that as you learn theory and acquire skills, you move on to deepen your understanding and expand your skill set in your chosen field. Students prepare for specific job titles by completing coursework tailored to the responsibilities of those jobs.

Because students have different levels of ability and motivation, some will accomplish more than others in any given year of study. BCTC's program accommodates all learners because each student progresses at his or her own pace. How far and how fast you progress is up to you. The fundamental question is "What do YOU want to learn to prepare for your career?"

3 Years
Most students attend the Career Center for three years. A three-year program will prepare you for immediate employment or further education. Three years will give you the opportunity to learn the basics, acquire some advanced skills, and earn licenses or certifications. When the three-year option includes a work-based learning experience, it serves as an even more valuable transition between school and career.

1 Year or 2 Years
If you are looking for alternatives to the three-year program, you will find many opportunities for learning in BCTC's optional one- and two-year programs. On one hand, you may choose to complete tasks that lead to specific job competencies (state inspection mechanic or manicurist, for instance). On the other hand, you may seek to gain a broad technical exposure to your chosen field in preparation for further education or career exploration. For example, a student planning on pursuing a college degree in engineering will benefit greatly from a year of hands-on learning in the Electronic Technology program.

Although some competencies may be out of reach for students enrolled in a shorter program, those students will have many of the same opportunities for acquiring skills and knowledge as the three-year students. They will learn from expert instructors and develop valuable skills by working in state-of-the-art lab facilities. BCTC graduates who have gone on for higher education often report that the experience and training they received at the Career Center gave them a distinct advantage over other students.

It's Up to You
BCTC gives you options. If you want to acquire the highest number and level of competencies before graduation, the three-year program is the way to go.

The three-year program will present you with the best opportunity to acquire the highest number and level of competencies before graduation. On the other hand, a one- or two-year program could give you a great head start toward the next step you want to take. Your future is full of possibilities. BCTC will help you make the most of them!