Course Overview
Whether you’re an apprentice looking to the future, a journeyman who is looking to start their own business, or a trades person looking to become more valuable to their employer, Entrepreneurial skills for the trades will provide skills and insights to help build and maintain a successful trades business. What sets this apart from most "start your own business" courses is it’s strong emphasis on how to set up an operating system for your trades business. Topics such as invoicing, job tracking, estimating, finances, and safety programs will be a large component of the course, always keeping the focus on a trades business. Other topics include, how to set up a business (incorporation, proprietorship, partnership), business insurance, business taxes, introduction to financing sources, and an introduction to marketing your trades business.
Prerequisite(s)
- No prerequisites are required for this course.
Credits
3.0
Domestic fees
$586.53 - $598.55 See individual course offerings below for actual costs.
International fees are typically 3.4 times the domestic tuition. Exact cost will be calculated upon completion of registration.
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:
- Research their field in order to make decisions regarding rates, services and competition for their business.
- Create and implement an operating system for their business that will help with invoicing, job tracking, estimating, and safety protocols.
- Formulate and implement a marketing plan for their trades business.
- Understand the financial and legal aspects of starting a business in the trades.
- Create a presentation on their operating structure for their business idea.
Effective as of Winter 2017
Course Offerings
Spring/Summer 2026
Below are two offerings of VENT 1824 for the Spring/Summer 2026 term.
CRN 66125
Dates
Apr 07 - Jun 27 Loading
- CRN 66125
- $586.53 Domestic fees
Class meeting times
| Dates | Days | Times | Locations |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apr 07 - Jun 27 | N/A | N/A | Online |
Duration
12 weeks
Instructor
Chad Flinn
Course outline
Important information
- Important course information will be sent to you prior to your course start date. Check your myBCIT email account to access this information.
- This course online asynchronous delivery format: you are not required to meet each and every week at a specific time, however, there will be specific timelines for assignments and exams. It is important you have a stable and consistent internet connection to access course content. Please check the following link to ensure you meet the computer requirements for the class. www.bcit.ca/files/business/pdf/bcit-sobm-byod.pdf Course content, type and quality of assignments, and general standards for this online course are the same as classroom courses. To be successful in this online course, plan to spend 7-10 hours per week on your studies, or more if it’s a condensed course, starting Week 1. If this course is showing as full, please contact Candace_Marrington@bcit.ca and ask that your name be added to the waitlist.
Confirmation
Required
To proceed with registration and add this course to the cart, please confirm:
Status
If you have any questions about this course, please contact us.
CRN 69421
Dates
Apr 07 - Jun 27 Loading
- CRN 69421
- $586.53 Domestic fees
Class meeting times
| Dates | Days | Times | Locations |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apr 07 - Jun 27 | N/A | N/A | Online |
Duration
12 weeks
Instructor
Bryan Graziano
Course outline
Important information
- This course online asynchronous delivery format: you are not required to meet each and every week at a specific time, however, there will be specific timelines for assignments and exams. It is important you have a stable and consistent internet connection to access course content. Please check the following link to ensure you meet the computer requirements for the class. www.bcit.ca/files/business/pdf/bcit-sobm-byod.pdf Course content, type and quality of assignments, and general standards for this online course are the same as classroom courses. To be successful in this online course, plan to spend 7-10 hours per week on your studies, or more if it’s a condensed course, starting Week 1. If this course is showing as full, please contact Candace_Marrington@bcit.ca and ask that your name be added to the waitlist.
Confirmation
Required
To proceed with registration and add this course to the cart, please confirm:
Status
If you have any questions about this course, please contact us.
Fall 2026
Below are two offerings of VENT 1824 for the Fall 2026 term.
CRN 44135
Dates
Sep 08 - Nov 28 Loading
- CRN 44135
- $598.55 Domestic fees
Class meeting times
| Dates | Days | Times | Locations |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 08 - Nov 28 | N/A | N/A | Online |
Duration
12 weeks
Instructor
Chad Flinn
Course outline
Course outline TBD — see Learning Outcomes in the interim.
Important information
- Please note that the lecture component for this course is asynchronous, not requiring you to meet each week at a specific time, however, there will be specific timelines for assignments and exams. To be successful in this online course, plan to spend 7-10 hours per week on your studies, or more if it’s a condensed course, starting Week 1. Important course information will be sent to your myBCIT account prior to your course start date.
Confirmation
Required
To proceed with registration and add this course to the cart, please confirm:
Status
If you have any questions about this course, please contact us.
CRN 48536
Dates
Sep 08 - Nov 28 Loading
- CRN 48536
- $598.55 Domestic fees
Class meeting times
| Dates | Days | Times | Locations |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sep 08 - Nov 28 | N/A | N/A | Online |
Duration
12 weeks
Instructor
Bryan Graziano
Course outline
Course outline TBD — see Learning Outcomes in the interim.
Important information
- Please note that the lecture component for this course is asynchronous, not requiring you to meet each week at a specific time, however, there will be specific timelines for assignments and exams. To be successful in this online course, plan to spend 7-10 hours per week on your studies, or more if it’s a condensed course, starting Week 1. Important course information will be sent to your myBCIT account prior to your course start date.
Confirmation
Required
To proceed with registration and add this course to the cart, please confirm:
Status
If you have any questions about this course, please contact us.
Programs and courses are subject to change without notice. Find out more about BCIT course cancellations.