Technical Communication Essentials

Microcredential Part-time School of Computing and Academic Studies

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AI is transforming how technical writers work. BCIT’s online course, Using AI for Technical Writing, helps students harness it effectively. Developed with industry insight, the course teaches how to collaborate with tools like Chatgpt to streamline content creation while emphasizing the vital role of human judgment and ethics. Learn more.

“My education at BCIT was invaluable. Technical Writing has helped me immensely with communicating important information. And the program has given me a well-rounded understanding of the subject and helped me in almost every facet of every role I have taken on.”

Nicole Victor, Facility Manager at Covanta

Overview

Hone the five core technical communication skills: technical writing, technical editing, writing for the web, visual communication including data representation, and technical presentations, as you earn this flexible microcredential.

Successful organizations rely increasingly on effectively gathering, managing, conveying, and exchanging substantial amounts of information, and technical communicators ensure that information is clear, coherent, organized, and targeted to meet audience needs and business purposes. It’s a value-adding process that carries a lot of responsibility, but also presents an exciting opportunity to keep learning, growing, and advancing.

Microcredential features:

Five instructor-led, online, asynchronous, short courses
Study at times that are convenient for you, completing weekly deliverables
Each course is a 6-week commitment of 3 – 5 study hours per week
Take just one course, or take several (three consecutive terms offered year-round)
Receive a badge for passing each course
Pass all five courses to receive the credential
Stackable: ladder directly into the Technical Writing Associate Certificate if you wish to continue your professional development

Entrance Requirements

Application processing

Ongoing throughout the year.

Recommended for success

English Studies 12 completed with minimum 67% (C+) or equivalent English proficiency is recommended for success.

International applicants

This program is available to international applicants who will complete the program from outside Canada or who currently have a valid status in Canada other than study permit.

Study permit: International applicants accepted into this program are not eligible for a study permit.

Apply to program

Formal application to the microcredential is not required. Upon successful completion of the courses, email the program contact with your full name, student number, and mailing address to be issued a microcredential.

Scheduled Intakes

Ongoing Flexible Learning (Part-time Studies) intakes: January, April, and September.

Costs & Supplies

Tuition fees

Flexible Learning (Part-time Studies) tuition is charged on a course-by-course basis. Please see the Flexible Learning Tuition & Fees page for more information on domestic and international tuitions.

Courses

Program matrix

Check current availability of courses for this program.

1. Required courses:			Credits
	XCOM 1007	Technical Writing This communication course familiarizes students with the principles of clear, concise writing in a technical environment for specific discourse communities. Students write and edit extensively in this course and are given extensive feedback on their style and tone. Prerequisite(s): No prerequisites are required for this course. course outline	1.5
	XCOM 1008	Technical Editing This communication course familiarizes students with the role of professional editors in the contemporary workplace and introduces the principles, symbols and methods of copyediting and substantive editing. Students will spend a significant percentage of class time practicing their editing skills and fine tuning their understanding of grammar and mechanics. The course will help to prepare students for a typical competency test required by many employers for professional writing positions. Prerequisite(s): No prerequisites are required for this course. course outline	1.5
	XCOM 1110	Writing for the Web Information is not read the same way online as in print. This course teaches students how to express ideas on the Web, how to anticipate the needs of the reader and how to organize and structure information so that it is quickly grasped and navigable, achieving the purpose for which it was developed. Prerequisite(s): No prerequisites are required for this course. course outline	1.5
	XCOM 2040	Visual Communication and Data Representation The purpose of this course is to analyze and deploy visual communication techniques to solve communication problems. Parallels are drawn between verbal and visual rhetoric and tone, and students are taught the basics of visual brainstorming, developing and refining visual ideas. Course material includes effectively selecting and implementing colour, typefaces, images, and layout techniques in order to effectively convey complex messages using visual media. Prerequisite(s): No prerequisites are required for this course. course outline	1.5

2. Complete a minimum of 1.0 credit from the following list of electives:			Credits
	XCOM 1000	Communication for Team-based Collaboration This course provides students with experience working and communicating in a team-based collaborative project. Students will apply theoretical concepts of interprofessional collaboration, professional empathy, conflict resolution, intercultural, and interpersonal communication in a team-based project. By collaborating in diverse teams, students will apply theories and communication practices to create a team charter, team progress report, and final report. Finally, students will practice reflexivity by analyzing their individual performance and contributions to the team through self-reflection activities. Prerequisite(s): No prerequisites are required for this course. course outline	1.5
	XCOM 1005	Technical Writing for Service & Repair Professionals Learn technical writing targeted for professionals working in service and repair industries in roles such as repair technicians, service advisors, and warranty administrators. Skills taught are relevant to many sectors: warranty and insurance, motor vehicle repair, commercial transport, heavy equipment, collision repair, and other service and repair industries. The ability to create accurate and concise documents including technical reports, repair orders, and service explanations is beneficial for communicating with customers, administrators, adjusters, and other target audiences. Students will learn core technical writing skills including recognizing the importance of writing clearly and ethically; performing audience analysis for various levels of technicality; writing and editing sample technical statements and reports. Prerequisite(s): No prerequisites are required for this course. course outline	1.0
	XCOM 3110	Using AI for Technical Writing The landscape of technical communication is rapidly evolving with the advent of technologies like Artificial Intelligence (AI), Machine Learning, and Natural Language Processing. These technologies are not only changing the way we interact with data and systems but are also reshaping the expectations on technical writers. Students will learn and apply the foundations of AI Prompt Engineering for technical writing largely through hands-on practice using a Large Language Model such as ChatGPT. There is a growing need for writers who not only understand the art of communication but also have a foundational understanding of how to employ AI tools, particularly as this can help automate certain aspects of technical writing such as data collection, basic analysis, and even some aspects of content generation. This frees up time for the writer to focus on more complex tasks. The course focuses on teaching technical writers about the nuances of prompt engineering in Large Language Models in response to a growing industry need for technical writers who can accurately and effectively craft AI-driven prompts and who can work alongside AI teams to optimize the user experience. Prerequisite(s): No prerequisites are required for this course. course outline	1.5
	XCOM 3840	Technical Presentations Acquiring effective communication and presentation skills will help advance your career and bring positive attention to your projects and ideas. In this course, you will review sample speeches, perform audience and purpose analysis for your own project, rehearse effective public speaking techniques, and deliver your final presentation to a wider audience. Students can present on a school project from one of their technical courses, an entrepreneurial idea, or a current work project. Prerequisite(s): No prerequisites are required for this course. course outline	1.5

Total Credits:			7.0

Check current availability of courses for this program.

Digital badge information

For information on how to obtain your course and/or microcredential digital badge, please review our Frequently Asked Questions page.

Transfer credit

Do you have credits from another BC/Yukon post-secondary school? Do you want to know if they transfer to courses here at BCIT? Check out BCIT's Transfer Equivalency Database to find out.

Program Details

Successful organizations rely increasingly on effectively gathering, managing, conveying, and exchanging substantial amounts of information. The Technical Communication Essentials Microcredential sharpens skills employers want across roles and sectors. Learn to ensure that information is clear, coherent, organized, and targeted, so it meets audience needs and business purposes.

Technical Communication Essentials: 5 core skills

1. Technical Writing
Clear, concise writing is useful across roles, but it’s essential in a technical environment. Technical writers also know how to select the best style and tone for their purpose. This course introduces technical writing skills to help you improve your writing, as well as to help you assess your interest in a potential professional writer career.

2. Technical Editing
Professional writing positions frequently include a technical competency test requirement, which covers principles, symbols, and methods of copyediting and substantive editing. In this short course, students practice their editing skills for the workplace, and fine-tune their understanding of grammar and mechanics.

3. Writing for the Web
Information on the web isn’t read the same way as in print. This course bridges that difference, helping you anticipate the needs of your readers. Practice organizing and structuring information to make it easily absorbed and navigable.

4. Visual Communication and Data Representation
Selection of colour, typefaces, images, and layout matters when you’re trying to convey complex messages using visual media. Visual communication applies to a range of topics, particularly as organizations try to gain insight from a vast amount of data.

5. Technical Presentations
Effective presentation skills help advance your career and bring positive attention to your projects and ideas. Improve these skills by reviewing sample speeches, performing audience and purpose analysis, and rehearsing effective public speaking techniques. The course allows you to select your own topic, whether it’s relevant to other courses you’re in, an entrepreneurial idea you want to pitch, or a current work project.

Grading

The passing grade for each course is 50%.

Program delivery

Online: This program is delivered fully online.

Asynchronous instructor-led courses are delivered online on a set schedule of six weeks with weekly deliverables.

Program location

Courses are offered through asynchronous online learning.

Continue your education

This microcredential ladders directly into the BCIT Technical Writing Associate Certificate. To receive the BCIT Technical Writing Associate Certificate, students must achieve a minimum grade of 70% for each course.

Contact Us

BCIT_Technical_Writing@bcit.ca

Questions or comments?

Programs and courses are subject to change without notice.