Overview
Hone five essential skills – technical writing, technical editing, writing for the web, visual communication, including data representation, and technical presentations – with this flexible, online microcredential. Learn at your own pace while earning stackable badges toward your professional development.
Successful organizations increasingly rely on effectively gathering, managing, conveying, and exchanging substantial amounts of information.
Technical communicators ensure that this 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.
About the program
- Flexible online delivery: Asynchronous courses with weekly deliverables
- Time commitment: 3-5 study hours per week for six weeks per course
- Choose your path: Take one course, several, or all five
- Stackable recognition: Earn a badge for each course completed
- Full credential: Complete all five courses to receive the microcredential
- Pathway to further study: ladder into the Technical Writing Associate Certificate
See the Program Details to learn more about what to expect from Technical Writing.
Who should complete this program?
This program is designed for professionals in any field who need to communicate technical information clearly and effectively. It’s a great fit for:
- Career changers interested in technical writing
- Professionals who create reports, manuals, or web content
- Anyone looking to improve communication skills to advance in their role
If any of these sound like you, please check the Entrance Requirements to ensure you can apply.
What grads can do
Graduates will have practical, job-ready skills in:
- Technical writing
- Technical editing
- Web communication
- Visual communication, and
- Technical presentations
These skills can be applied across industries, supporting roles in writing, editing, project management, training, knowledge management, and beyond.
The credential also provides a pathway to further study through BCIT’s Technical Writing Associate Certificate.
Entrance Requirements
About Flexible Learning
Flexible Learning offers a variety of courses and programs in different delivery modes and locations to customize your learning at your own pace. You can review course prerequisites on our website and if you meet them, you’ll be able to register for that available course immediately. Some courses may require departmental approval or formal acceptance into the program. BCIT Flexible Learning courses are offered during the Winter (January), Spring/Summer (April), and Fall (September) terms.
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 | 1.5 | |
| XCOM 1008 | Technical Editing | 1.5 | |
| XCOM 1110 | Writing for the Web | 1.5 | |
| XCOM 2040 | Visual Communication and Data Representation | 1.5 | |
| 2. Complete a minimum of 1.0 credit from the following list of electives: | Credits | ||
| XCOM 1000 | Communication for Team-based Collaboration | 1.5 | |
| XCOM 1005 | Technical Writing for Service & Repair Professionals | 1.0 | |
| XCOM 3110 | Using AI for Technical Writing | 1.5 | |
| XCOM 3840 | Technical Presentations | 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.Subscribe
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Programs and courses are subject to change without notice.