(Printable copy of the PCTIA brochure - take with you on any visits to institutions)

Private Career Training Institutions Agency

Providing Consumer Protection to Students

Watch for these logos:
A PCTIA-registered institution must display a valid, signed PCTIA registration certificate
and if also accredited, a valid accreditation certificate!


The Private Career Training Institutions Agency (PCTIA)
300—5172 Kingsway Burnaby, BC V5H 2E8
Website: http://www.pctia.bc.ca

Phone: (604) 660-4400 Fax: (604) 660-3312 Toll free: 1-800-661-7441 (within B.C.)
Email: info@pctia.bc.ca

The Mandate of the PCTIA

The Private Career Training Institutions Agency (PCTIA) has responsibility under the Private Career Training Institutions Act to:

What is the Difference Between Registration and Accreditation?

The terms registration and accreditation are often mistaken for one another. In fact, they fulfill two different functions. Registration ensures consumer protection to students and prospective students enrolled in career training programs, and is mandatory for all BC private institutions offering career programs equal to or above $1,000 in tuition and equal to or above 40 hours in duration. Registered institutions must comply with the requirements set out in the Private Career Training Institutions Act, Regulations and Bylaws.

Registration is mandatory, Accreditation is not

Accreditation is a voluntary process available to registered institutions whereby the institution and its programs are evaluated against the Agency’s quality standards. By choosing to attend an accredited institution, not only is your tuition protected but you can be assured the institution and its programs have met the Agency’s quality standards. Also, BC Student Loans are only available through accredited institutions. For more detailed information, visit the Agency’s website at www.pctia.bc.ca

Student Training Completion Fund

All registered and accredited institutions contribute to the Student Training Completion Fund by paying to the Agency a sum equal to 1% of the tuition paid to the institution under each student enrolment contract. In the event of an institutional closure, students may apply to the Agency for a tuition refund. To do so, students should go to the PCTIA website, download the Student Training Completion Fund Claim Form, and submit the completed form and relevant documents to the Agency.

Be an Informed Consumer - Choose the Right Institution

As a potential consumer, it is the students’ responsibility to make sure that the institution and the program are right for them. Spend time and consideration in choosing the institution and your career path. We recommend that all potential students use the following guidelines to review the institution prior to enrolling. Visit the institution and review the following:

Admissions: What are the prerequisites for the program? How many students apply for the program and how many are accepted? Training or Instruction: How long is the program? What skills or theory will be taught? What percentage of the training or instruction is theory and what percentage is practical experience?

Facilities and Equipment: Request a tour of the premises and ask to audit (sit in on) a class that is in session. What is the instructor to student ratio? What is the equipment to student ratio? What type of equipment is used and how does this relate to what the industry uses? If your training involves software, what version is being taught and how does this relate to the software you will need to be familiar with in order to attain employment?

Cost: Tuition fees are not regulated so you many want to compare the cost of a number of similar courses or programs. How are you going to fund your education? To be eligible for BCSAP, you must attend an accredited, designated institution. It is important to remember that BCSAP is a loan and you will be responsible for paying the money back.

Student Services: Does the institution offer a practicum and if so, is it mandatory to successfully complete the program? Does the institution arrange the practicum or does the student have to arrange it? Does the institution offer job placement assistance and does the assistance continue after the student has graduated?

Employment Opportunities: How many previous graduates have been successful in obtaining employment in a related field? What type of job and what salary can you expect to achieve once you have successfully completed the training? Before enrolling, ask for a list of companies that have hired recent graduates. Check out the future employment market and contact potential employers to see if they recognize the course or program.

Enrolling with an Institute: When you are accepted into a program, the institution must enter into a Student Contract with you. The contract will detail the name of the program; the start and end date of the program; the total cost of the program; any other related or required costs; the payment date(s); the refund policy should you withdraw or be dismissed from the program; and reference the institution’s admissions, dispute resolution, and dismissal policies. You will be required to sign and date the contract and a representative of the institution must also sign the contract. The institution must then give you a copy of the contract for your reference and safekeeping. Once you have signed the contract, you and the institution are legally bound by the terms of the agreement. Make sure you familiarize yourself with any rules of conduct and/or terms of dismissal before you sign the contract. It is important that you keep good records of contracts, payments and receipts, notices, transcripts, study permits and applications, and any other relevant information. Remember: In order to be successful in your program, you must ensure that the choices you have made are right for you. This means you must seriously investigate all program options and the potential employment market before you enrol.

This guide was prepared and produced by the Private Career Training Institutions Agency Copyright © 2006